The New York herald., 1922-06-19

ened instant investigation and prosecu-
ton.
CALIFORNIA.-G1in foothoic
In this State about a year ago the klan
grew rapidly. especially in southern
California. 1t has been disa agreeably
active in disciplinary" work. so much
so that it incurred the wrath of the
Grand Jury of Kern county, which de-
nounced it as un-American and as a
sinister scheme to substitute an invisible
empire Of terrorism for the visible
republic Of the United States.
Followed the indictment of William 5.
Coburn. former grand goblin. and G. w.
Price, King Kleagle for California. In
connection with a raid made by the
I<lan on April 90 at Inglewood, near Los
Angeles, when a constable, who was
member OF the Klan raiders, was slain
and a development throughout the State
Of strong public disapproval of the or
ganization.
The membership in California is re-
liably estimated at between 5000 and
$500, though the klansmen boast OF
roster three or four times as big The
centers of strength are in the larger
cities, San Francisco. Los Angeles. Oak
land, Sacramento, Fresno and Bakers
field. Until recently when as result
Of the Kern county Grand Jury's inves-
tigation and denunciation of the organ
ization many of the membership lists
were exposed to the public, there were
many public officials sworn to fidelity
end among these were police officials
and sheriffs. The exposure frightened
most of these, who stated publicly that
they had resigned.
FLORIDA.-Ominors and unmista<.
able indications of the strength of the
l. s,,t l,ir 10 &c
attention of the people in the primaries
of the first week Of June. In Volusia
county the Klan was distinctly an Is
sue, and after bitter fight which was
led, on the part of the Klan by Imperial
Wizard Simmons. who went to Flor
ida from the Klan headquarters at At
lanta, the ticket backed by the Klan won
all along the line.
Elsewhere in the Florida primaries
the Klansmen displayed undoubted
strength and contributed heavily toward
the success OF winning candidates.
So far the Klan is supported by q
large measure of public opinion. not Of
the most intelligent character. The or
ganization seems to be growing in
strength daily.
TEXAS - The Klal is powerful In
Texas. 1t is fighting Senator Charles
A. Culberson. candidate for reelection.
Senator Culberson has declared against
the Klan as a public menace. Ku KluX
speakers denounce him from 100 stages.
On the other hand the Klan is sup
porting Representative Robert l.. Henry,
one of Culberson's opponents, who
praises the Klan's purposes.
The organization has been growing
in Texas for two years. 1t has a long
record of disciplinary visits and 1t is
accused Of many outrages. Negroes are
terrorized and racial and religious preju-
dices have been famed hot. While
sporadic efforts are made to smash the
Jilan's power 1t continues to have the
support OF large element.
MISSISSIPPI-Ku Kiux membership
in Mississippi is believed to be 10000.
although the Klansmen claim $4,000.
Whatever the actual figure the organ
iza ton Is strong socially and politically.
year ago there were only two or three
local klans. Now there are thirty or
more. and the membership includes
many county. district and municipal
Office rs
The activity OF the Khan has been al
most entirely clong charitable lines.
Widows with a house full of children and
little in the larder have been aided by
the white robed knights. Checks have