The New York herald., 1922-12-05
Klokard Says He Is Willing
to Testify, but Denies
Knowing Klansmen.
STATUTE F0RBIDS MASKS
es4I
Acting District Attorney
Again Asserts He Has No Evi-
dence of Wrongful Acts.

ordered yesterday TO investigate Ku
Nux activities and find out whether
the Klan was violating the penal law
relating TO conspirecies. Judge Francis
K. Mancuso In General Sessions in
structed the jurors to indict IL the
evidence warranted. regardless OF
what individuals might be involved.
When told OF the new move against
the Khan the Rev. DR.. Oscar Hay
wood, It's k1okard and advance agent,
said he was ready to go before 6
Grand Jury at any time and outline
the MS general aims and princi-
PIES Elt he asserted he would not
Klan's secrets, saying:
rather die frst."
Mancuso gave his instructions
10 10th the regular and additional
Grand Juries. He thought the Khan may
have violated the law which forbids the
assemblage of persons wearing masks or
otherwise conceaiing their features.
Says Khan Gets Permits.
The Rev. Mr. Haywood did not appear
perturbed about this statute. He said
'"rhe members OF the Khan never wear
gowns OF masks except when IA permit
has first been obtained from the srthori-
ties. In all our parades and out Of door
meetings we have always secured per-
mits without the least difficulty do
not believe it would be possible for the
authorities to withhold these from uf
and at the same time issue them TO other
organizations"
There haves5cep tirnes. he said. when
one or two individual members Of the
Khan have addressed meeting swathed
in the white robes of the order, but
since the law Ia directed specifically
more persons disguised by having theiI
faces painted, discolored, colored or con-
cealed," he did not believe any statute
had been violated. He went on /:
Eve are lawahiding order, and are
organized to uphold the law and not 10
violate 1t. There have been numerous
attempts to convict members OF the Ku
Klux Khan, but they have rarely been
successful
Knows Names of No Members,
Or. Haywood said ne was unable TO
give the names OF single member OF
the Rlan in New York Almost In the
same breath he asserted that members
were coming I'm 80 fast that they were
having difficulty In taking care Of them.
he added
81, am not an organizer and nave
never invited anybody to jdp the Klan
in my life"
"when people apply to you for mem
bership what DO you do?" he was
asked
II tell them to write 20 Atlanta"
A good deal OF Or. Haywood's time.
he confded, Is spent in lecturing and
directing the attacks OF the Klan against
the manifold things that have come
under its censure. Within a few DAYS
he will lecture TO a club Of 500 women.
he said, and he would be glad TO give
the name of the club and the dcte Of
the lecture 10 the police II they agree to
keep the information confidential. He
also expects to address body Of stu
dents soon.
Just how the Grand Juries will pro-
ceed on Judge Mancuso's order ie not
clear. Ferdinand Pecora, Acting Dis
trlCt Attorney again rdiO lG ttad it-
ceivsd no complaints about the Klan
ana therefore had no evidence for the
Grand Jurfes. although he would he glad
20 receive any Information tending TO
show that tho law had been violated.
II seemed evident that the investigation
might have TO be a John Doe inquiry.
"Aim mt Hatred aud Intolerance"
In his charge to the Grand Juries
Judge Mancuso said
"r desire 70 bring 90 your attention
certain statements that have appeared
in the public prints OF this city 70 thc
effect that an organization by the name
OF tho Ku Klux Kan has openly de-
clared its intention 10 begin an intensive
drive 20 carry its activities here and to
exert Its sinister power and Influence in
our midst. The invasion Is directed ap-
parcntiy not only against the Negro.
Jew nnd Catholic but against any and
all persons who DO not accept the prin-
ciplss Of the Klar.
They are endeavoring TO function
under an invisible Government. and u
unchecked will create hatred and In
tolerance, which will destroy our most
precious American heritage and destroy
and undermine our constitutional guar
anties. and substitute instead that form
OF tyranny, olgotry and violence Ia
which our Government is oppoeed."
The Judge snid he had information
that meetings had been held here In full
regalia Of mask and gown. Attention
was also called 70 Section 90 Of The
Penal Code, relating 20 persons who will
fully commit any act which seriously
Injuries the person or property OF an
other. or which seriously disturbs or an
dangers the public peace or health. or
which openly outrages public deccncy."
When these acts are committed BY two
or moro persons. Judge Mancusc said
the Jurors could apply Section $50. deal
ing with conspiracies. He went on
"1n order 10 establish conspiracy
under tho law come overt act must be
shown and the people muet show that
the acts complained Of were committed
with O corrupt or criminal intent"