The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-23
| D j ISI A MANS IN
CONGRESS RESENT.
XII kLUX ARTICLES.
Federal Interference in State
Affairs Would Be Disap-
proved, House Told-At-
tack Parker's Motive

Washington, November 22.-Gover-
nor PaRker's recent visit to Wash
ington and newspaper articles deal
ing with alleged activities Of the
Eu Klux Khan drew fire in the House
today from three Louisiana members.
all of whom were unanimous in de-
claring that federal interference
would be resented.
Representative Aswell denounced
as "seurrilous, false and infamous"
printed reports that state law in
Louisiana had almost ceased to func-
tion, and charged that ito the hui
initiation and regret of our people,
the governor of Louisiana, with his
Unsuitable thirst for publicity is re-
sponsible for the grave injury done
our state"
Representative Wilson followed
with a denunciation of the "unwar-
ranted" assault on the honor of the
state of Louisiana for law and order,
and Representative Sandlin Joined
him in asserting there was no neces-
sity for the federal government an
tervening in the state.
Representative Asweil, who opened
the question, with a request for. per-
sonaI privilege, presented kilograms
from sheriffs and judges in his dis
trict. each declaring conditions to be
tranquil.
Injury Appalling
The expression of 1.-THE vile and
groundless stories sent broadcast
throughout the length and breadth of
the land has placed in the public
mind the belief that lawlessness.
crime, murder and bloodshed are
rampant in Louisiana" he said THE
Injury done to our state and people
is appalling"
Presenting statements and letters
which have been printed about the
Mr.. Aswell asked:
DO these letters not prove that
Governor Parker, for many weeks, |
has been trying to invoke federal
usurpation of the government of a |
sovereign state?
IF these villainous, vicious pub
lshed acts, as the record indicates, |
were caused by the assertions of the |
governor of Louisiana, he presents a |
humiliating and pathetic spectacle, |
playing cheap politics at the expense |
of our state to gain front page no.
toritey." Mr., Aswell continued
Proposal Absurd
Upon what ground can federal
law be invoked in the Louisiana |
case?" he asked. "why hasn't the |
governor of New Jersey appealed
for federal aid in the Hall-IIills |
case? Establish this precedent and |
should southern darky steal a |
chicken and local authorities fail to |
catch him. federal officers could be |
sent into the state to track him and |
punish him for stealing the fowl. |
This proposal is too preposterous
and absurd to be discussed among |
men. 1t is monstrous
that after so years of peace and pa
triotic devotion of the southern peo-
pie to the flag of our country, the
governor of any state, north or
south. should seek again to bring |
the damnable disaster of even
semblance of carpet-bag rule upon
any sovereign state"
Representative Asweli said that
the governor of Louisiana now de-
MES responsibility for the whole mat
ter. but it is interesting to note that
the sensational story was released !
in Baton Rouge Saturday might for
papers, as the governor dra- |
matical1y left for Washington and |
gave out Interviews along the way"
Repress ntative Mondell, republican |
leadT. closed the discussion by de-
that no one out of Louisiana |
had suggested extension of federal |
authority over the state.
"On this side he added, 1--WE are
just as eager as are the people of
that all states should re-
tain their sovereignty and work out
their own problems"