Evening star., 1922-11-13
Allen Method Of Fighting Ku Kluz
AIouses Criticism.

The assault on the ku klux klan
by Gov. Henry J. Allen Of Kansas has
stirred up criticism in many quarters
Of the methods he has suggested.
There is an apparent unanimity on
the part of those editors debating the
question that the khan has no real
place in American life. Its masked
methods generally are condemned.
Some editors compare 1t to the l. w.
W. But Gov. Aliens suggestion that
its leaders should be dep9rted ts con-
sidered in some quarters as equally
lawless with some of the organiza-
tion's methods of procedure. The
Allen position is. however expected
to start another countrywide move
ment to regulate the klan,
AT the bottom of religious and
racial hatred stirred up recently is no
motive higher than petty hatred.
suggests the Indianapolis News. "A
few men make comfortable living out
of the business and some hypnotize
themselves into believing that they
are saving the country. Gov. Allen
rightly sees that country that has to
be saved by gretesque masked figures
working in the dark had better begin
by getting new doctor. If a few
more leaders like Gov. Allen drag
the question out into plain view 1t
will soon take care of itself But
the Albany News desires To Know
whether Gov. Allen plans to "eXpel
the khan from Kansas, and adds: We
are In sympathy with his feeling IN
the matter. but this business of ex-
pclling citizens from a state isn't
practicable. nor is it fair. Let Gov.
Allen put down the klan in his state,
not put it out to another state. 1he
Rockford Republic likewise takes is
sue with some Of the governors state
ments. insisting that "he does not add.
what seems obvious. that the tendency
to group and mask. and then. when
convenient and safe. to kill. is direct
result of group and racial license
tomented by politicians and as1tators
to gain support of various factions.
Everything demands and gains repre-.
states except fashioned American
ism. which Is attacked secretly and
publicly by practically every foreign
minded or selfish faction. The people
in most communities either are get
ting what they want or lack the IN
teiligence to vote for their principles.
In the opinion of the Boston Tran
script "the narrow sectarian and ra-
cial spirit in our politics should be
nipped in the bud. and good Amerf-
cans will be glad to see a strong per
sonality like Gov. Allen out with his
keen pincers to nip it," This Is also
the view Of the Port Huron iImes-
Herald, which insists there is no
place in the United states for any
masked tribe This is a free country.
where, as Gov. Allen says, every man
Is entitled to protection in his civil
and religious rights. Anything else
is unthinkable. Such an organization
as the ku klux klan defies the Con
stitution. 1t gives the opportunity to
wreak personal vengeance Though
mob rule. The declaration of war
against the khan by Gov. Allen ought
to furnish food for thought every.
where. Men who encourage racial and
religious prejudice against any sect
citizenship" The governor is to be
commended for his actions. In the
opinion of the New York Tribune,
because "the Ku Klux Klan Is power
ful in Kansas. Also. no doubt. Its
are often patriotic and right
Bus itvitzea ,nEe a1 8solenee no.
matter how well meant. BY his action
toward the khan Gov. Allen demon
strated afresh that he proposes to
live up to his creed. no matter whom
it hits" Fully accepting this view,
the New York Herald adds that
"Hehry ]. Allen is the kind of man.
strong in character, strong in sense
of responsibility and strong in per-
formance Of duty, that puts power
irte public Office, commands respect
for public service and sheds luster on
leadership"
While the american public is with
him in his denunciation of the Klan
and the things for which it stands"
the Jersey City Jersey Journal holds
that the Country will hesitate before
following him on his course of ex-
pulsioh. Ku Kluxism Is bad, but the
idea of expelling persons savors too
much Of despotism. There Is plenty
OF current law to reach an organiza-
ton that makes use of the tar bucket
and the whipping post. and. anyway,
prison sentences would seem to be
harder to bear than expulsion ana
the liberty that goes with it, The
waterbury, Republican sees sim
ilarity between the X. K. K. and the
i. W. w. despite the fact that 1.-THE
cltisens who belong to the former
would be readiest to enter, into de-
runciation Of the latter-in fact,
would be ready to Organize night