The New York herald., 1922-06-19

In half a dozen other States. The Klap
claims 10000 members In Georgia II
may have $4,000. Heads of departments
are in Atlanta. where the Ku klux
Empress Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler, one
of the Big Three of the organization,
exerts her sway. The others of the
ruling trio are Col. William j. Simmons
and Edward Young Clarke.
Clarke Is acting as imperial wizard
in place of Simmons, who, at his own
request was granted leave Of alb
sence for six months to improve the
ritual. There is no doubt tina. the Ku
Klux membership in Georgia includes
many public officials and that the Klan
has exerted influence in politics. Pub
lie sentiment is not unfriendly.
1--WE have passed through twelve
months OF fire and fury. but have come
out of the fiery furnace stronger in
membership and finance and have not
yielded ground of any kind to the en-
emy." This was the way Col. Simmons
summed up the progress of the orsani-
cation he founded.
PENNSYLVANIA are dis
tricts in this State where the Klan has
been active. outrageously so. but it's
numerical strength in Pennsylvania has
fallen off in the last year and 1t exerts
but slight political influence. Probably
few officials are included in its member
ship. and these are only minor office
holders. There have been half a dozen
reports of beatings In the last six
months. Several persons have been
warned to improve their conduct. The
klan in Pennsylvania probably num-
bers less than 5000.
WESTINGHOUSE recent prose-
cutions of Ku Klux activities in Texas
and California word has gone through
the State OF Washington to Klansmen
to do nothing to incur public resentment
or official action. Unquestionably the
klan has strength in Washington and
It seems to be growing, but aside from
demonstrations in Everett and Vancou
Yer, of peaceable nature, no activities
have been reported. In Seattle. Spokane
and Tacoma the Klan has been passive.
Unlike Gov. Olcott in Oregon, Gov.
Hart OF Washington has remained si-
lent on the subject OF the Klan and
none of the State officials has expressed
an opinion OF it. This indicates a be-
lief that the Klan is powerful in politics.
The one political issue which prom
ises to obscure all others IL dry law
enforcement. The indications are that
the Klan is lining up with the drys for
rigid enforcement. 1t is probable there
are 10000 members in this State.
LOUISIANA-Repeat complaints Of
terrorization by ku Klux Klan raiders
from all parts of Louisiana furnish evil
dence of the lawlessness of the organ
ization and that 1t has a large men,
bership. The estimate OF $4,000 Klans-
men in the State probably is not eX-
cessive, and 1t Is believed that many
officers Of the law and business men are
on the organizations roster. Gov. Par
ker at the next session of the Legis-
lature will sponsor a bill to make It
felony for any man to hide behind a
mask on the pretext of enforcing order
or morals. The Governor has charged
that the Klan has defed the courts.
brought law into contempt. fostered
class. racial and religious hatreds and Is
wholly undemocratic and un-American.
KENTUCKY There is scattered
Klan organization in Kentucky, with
membership estimated at 10000. Its
political influence. IL any. has not been
demonstrated, but the membership is
believed to include many local poll
ticians and probably minor public Off
cials. The Kentucky Klansmen have
been recruiting in southern Ohio and
frequently have crossed the Ohio River
to take part in initiatory ceremonies.
There have been a few complaints about
raids. Negroes have been impressed by
the klan's ceremonies.
ALABAMA-The Kan in this State is
exceedingly strong. IT has honeycombed
the police forces of several cities with
Nu Klux IDEAS Minor officials are
among the members. Ten recent fog
rings In Birmingham. together WITH
disciplinary" measures taken in other
parts of the State. have made the Klan
the target of attack by civic associa-
tions Bar associations and ministers
have denounced the organization. Eff
forts will be made to obtain laws for
bidding parades by masked men and to
make 1t felony to abduct any person.
When Col. w. J. Simmons of Atlanta
imperial wizard. visited Birmingham
several months ago the then chief OF
police was member OF the reception
committee. Some political influence Is
exerted by the klan.
OKLAHOMA-There is a strong Ku
Illux klan organization i'm Oklahoma.
bu. the members have not resorted TO
the violence with which the neighboring
State OF Texas is familiar. However,
Oklahoma Klans have warned public
officials not to interfere with their ac-
fivifies and tha Mayor of Oi,I.bO,,.