Paragould soliphone., 1922-06-14
REV. BRIDGES DELIVERS AN
 ADDRESS SUBJECT KU KLUX
 KHAN TO A LARGE AUDIENCE
Pastor of First Baptist Church Claims to Have Made Personal Investigation of Mysterious Order And to be in Possession of Anthem tic Information Version of Organlza- tion-Stands for Law Enforcemcnt-Op Mob Law.

Iy effect the life of anyone in the enjoyment of perfect freedom and liberty of action so long as that one should not, in his conduct and con ceptions, violate the laws of the land and oppose the basic principles of this government The speaker in dicated that bitter consequences awaited those who could not meas ure up to the right sort of citizen ship but stated his belief that the weapons utilized by the Klan were entirely legitimate and ill every way conformed to the established laws of the nation.
 Free speech, freedom of the press, separation of church and state and other established governmental con captions as set out in the constitu- ton of the United States were cited as being the fundamental principles of the so-caled mysterious order. No true American can oppose the principles of the Ku Klux klan, " the speaker uttered upon frequent occasions. Those who favor law en- forcement, an elevated plane of society and better government in which to live could happily sub scribe to the principles of the order, the speaker declared.
 The pastor said he was of the impression that the organization had gained strong footing in this sec tion of Arkansas and that Jones' boro is reported to have recently created a large order. He made no reference to the existence of an or ganization of the order in Paragould, though it has frequently been cur rent upon the streets that unit either existed here or was ill the process of organization. However, the rumor to that effect has never been confirmed so far as the public generally has been advised. It was reported recently that sessions had been conducted here but no authen- tic information has been given out for publica tion. At Jonesboro a notice was published several weeks ago to the effect that an organiza- tion of the Klan actually existed there. the notice appearing ill the Jonesboro newspapers.
 Rev. Bridges said the IIlan had been, according to his sincere belief, erroneously accused of committing mob violence. He said that instances had been attributed to the organi- zatiOn but in every case where he had investigated the reports were found untrue, citing Leachville and Prescott, Arkansas, as being Commu- mites from which such reports em- mated. He said those reports were proven to be without foundation.
 The general tone of the minister's address dwelt upon the point of the klan's obedience to the laws of state and nation, to it's unqualified adherence to the cOnStltutlCn Of the United States, standing unflinchingly for the support Of the government in it's basic principles of freedom for all. regardless of color, sect or creed. Regarding the re- salia worn by the members of thel organization the line of action the <lan pursued and many other points the hearers were anxious to learn about the minister failed to touch upon. It seems he discussed the subject as one who had merely in vestigated the principles of the or der at the Klans headquarters and not as one who had become identi- fled with the organization as al