The New York herald., 1922-12-03
CITIZEN LETS KHAN
]. WORK IN HIS Home
s.
a. e. Wnppermann Denies
He Is Ku KIux but Ad-
mits Liking Talks.
WOULD STAGE MEETS
Sees Fireside KlOnklave as
Way to Reduce Foes
of order.
OFFERS FAD FOR SOCIETY
Dr. StratOn Will Preach Upon
Invisible Empire at Cal
vary Tonight.

On Friday night a New York news
paper telephoned A. Edward Wupper-
mann, 81 West Seventy fifth street,
and accused him of being a Ku Klux
Klansnan. Yesterday Mr.. Wupper-
mann, dealer in bitters, issued q
statement In which he said that he is
not citizen of the Invisible Empire
but that he can imagine many less
desirable Affiliations.
Mr.. Wuppermann has heard the
Rev. Oscar Haywood. D. D.. the local
Klokard for the Klan, lecture. Three
Klansnen in full regalia were pres
ent to let folks see what they'd look
like IL they Joined the order. Mr.. Wup-
per1nann frankly says that he was
impressed and now he offers to stage
an unofficial Klonklave in any private
home IL the owner OF such homo re-
quests 1t.
Mr. Wuppermann has had Just such
n meeting In his own apartment. a
rather distinguished gathering Of citi-
xens listened to the klokard (not DR..
Haywood, but another) and only the
severity of the weather prevented an
other such session in the homo OF Mr.
Wuppermann's mother in Eighty-first
street
IT have been accused" says Mr.. Wup-
permann in his statement "of having
held Ku Klux Klan meetings In my
home. This is not the exact truth.
Let Friend Make Talk.
IT am not member of the knights
OF the Ku Klux Klan. have never been
a member and do not intend to become
n member. I have frfiend who is a
Klansman, a Kleagle. / think he calls
himself, and l arranged with him TO
give a talk on the Klan last summer
at my apartment at 81 West Seventy
first street
1T was so entertaining and instruc-
tive that I repeated II on several occa-
slons. Many Of my friends were pres
ent, including a Judge. several physi-
clans ans lawyers. two or three clergy
men and q quite prominent banker and
financier My friend also invited some
People. ! tried to arrange a similar
meeting st my mothers apartment in
Eighty-first street, but 1t was stormy
THE discourse was very interesting.
The speaker disclaimed any purpose to
SOW discord among people of different
religions or races. and altogether 1t
seemed to me that 1t might be very
useful organization. My friend told me
that nobody ever became member OF
the Klan az result of these meetings.
but l am sure everybody enjoyed the
talk and especially the costume, which
is very impressive and lends an air of
mystery to the occasion
Suggests Winter Fad.
You would be surprised II 7 men,
toned the names OF two or three very
prominent persons who attended. /
think IL more people would hold these
meetings there would be less violent
criticism of the Klan A good deal OF
this ku Klux talk is very childish
should be glad TO arrange for meetings
o. private homes If any one is interested.
III rhould become quite a fad this win
ter among fashionable people
The. remainder of Mr. Wuppernanu's
statement calls attention to a magazine
which. in its current issue. carries an
article written by one of the imperial
wizards genii or staff officers Mr.
Wuppermann says that he procured this
paper for the publication in question
and that he Is willing TO procure similar
literature fer any other editor who is
keen enough to see circulation value
therein. Mr.. Wuppermann specifies
that the editor applying must be ''repu-
table" and that the rates will be very
reasonable"
Iklan Prevents Lynchfng.
AS for the Klan being inclined to take
liberties with the laws forbidding lynch
ing and the like. Mr.. wuppermann re-
peats a story told him by Dr. Haywood
Ia The Bronx lecture delivered by Dr.
Haywood and attended by Mr.. Wupper-
mann the great klokard told OF crime
committed by a. negro. IL happened in
North Carolina. The Klan was on the
scene the moment tho facts became pub
lie a lynching was imminent. but tho
kansmen stepped between the negro
and the mob, not only preventing the
proposed lynching hut delivering the
criminsl into the hands OF the Sheriff in
the next county
Aside from Mr.. Wuppermann's state
inent little came to pass yesterday to
bring the klan into local prominence.
The Rev. Dr. John Roach Straton.. who
will preach on the klan at Calvary
Church tonight, says that he has not
receded from his first intention to rele-
gate Ku Klux Klanishness TO the limbo
of undesirable institutions lie says that
he cannot believe that there IL division
of sentiment among the trustees OF CAL
vary Church regarding his attitude
toward the Khan and Dr. Haywood. DIR.
Haywood's name has not been restored
TO the church calendar he said.