The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-10-19
|Klan Given
Knockout
by Legion
Hooded Bands Are Branded
Un-American i'm Resolution
Mentioning No Name
of Mob Order.
Religious Point Raised

battle over pro-Ku Klux Klaa and
anti-klan resolutions, in which tho
press OF the country was charged
with trying TO split the American LIE
gion 1ver the klan question, ragged
for several hours at the fourth day'r
tsession Of the fifth annual American
Legion convention, resulting in adop-
ton Of the Michigan" anti-klan reso-
luton which avoids using the name
Of the hooded order.
A total of s33 delegates made it
known that while the legion objects
to the khan order. it will not de-
nounce it through a resolution which
calls a spade a spade. With equal
force it voted down a resolution the
Oklahoma delegates introduced to
offset a denunciatory resolution Of
fered by Charles r. Kendrick Of San
Francisco.
The resolution, which was carried
by a roar of "ayes'' TO the weak cry
of a score Of noes" was as follows:
Declared Un-American.
Resolved, by the American Legion
in national conventio. assembled that
We consider any individual, group OF
individuals or organization which
creates or fosters racial, religious or
class strife among our people, or
which takes into their own hands the
enforcement of law, determination OF
guilt or infliction Of punishment. 10
be un-American, a menace TO our lib
/ -
mental law. and be 1t further
Resolved. that We consider such
action by any individual. group or
organization. TO be Inconsistent with
the ideals and purposes OF the Amer
lean Legion"
The Kendrick resolution. which was
lost on roll call vote. el5 TO iie.
with SO not voting. was as follows:
Resolved. that the ku klux klan
is an organization which is destruc-
tive TO American principles and ideals.
and is unfair to hundreds OF thou
sands OF our comrade. in arms dur
ing the world war. This convention.
therefore. most unequivocally de-
nounces the ku klux klan as being
an un-American organization and un-
worthy of membership by loyal
American citizens"
Nebraska, Iowa Split.
Major keuirick cast a lone ballot
for his resolution In the California
delegation. the other IS delegates
voting no. The Nebraska delegates
voted for and 81 against the Kend-
rick resolution: Iowa voted IS in IA
vor of 1t and . against.
The oklahoma resolution. voted
down. was submitted by E w. Whit
ney OF Oklahoma who stated he vas
member Of the klans The resoia-
ton follows.
Whereas. the convention OF the
American Legion recognizes the
rights OF the members thereof TO their
own free opinion in matters OF re
ligion and politics, and
Whereas. the basis OF member
ship in the American Legion is sers-
ice. irrespective OF the religion OF
politics Of the members. now. fhere-
fore. be II resolved. thar
For Tolerance. Good VIII
The American Legion adherss 10
its original purpose and stands for
the service man irrespective Of BE-
lief IN religion or politics and xsi-
comes all such to It's fold That with
In this fold the question Of such be
lief or affiliation be never raised 20
the prejudice or hurt OF any one. bur
thar the spirit Of tolerance and rossl
viii be extended to al. Irrespective
or their belief in or adherence TO
any society or organization whatsc-
ever. SO long as the same does net
conflict with allegiance to God and
the government of the United States.
Major kendrick accused ihe I.s
sionnaires of ''pussy-footine- OF the
hu kiux klan question and an
ncunced that he was there Ito tear
the mask off things and sec tnst
where We are. Far be II from ME tc
inject into the convention a religious
issue. However. much as l desire
that such not be the case. there Is a
religious issue here and there has
been one for more than two years.
The only Way TO meet the issue is to
meet il sQiianely. meet 1t face to face.
the same as we mel other issues in
times gone by.
We can't pussy-loot In this or.
sanitation and get anywhere. Lex.
tear the mask off of things and see
| just where we are.
You all know just as well as
do. what happened in New Orleans.
You know perfectly well that Bill
twilliam) Deegan's candidacy was
proposed down there and the most
important factor regarding him was
his religion
| Major kendrick Withdrew the state
inent when II was objected 10 hN
| California delegates and said: Il
withdraw the statement that you ali
know n and merely that l know *
and let me set a little closer To home
with you. In Kansas City my name
was proposed throushout the con.
vention as candidate for commander
and all sides found my religion was
OF vital interest to men IN oecidins
whether they should or sho,rtd not
consider me as a possible command.
er.
This is not a small matter 10 SOME
little village, Il has set 50 that
great state had 10 declare marital
law because Of I, and other states
are considering the question IN =
grat statewide way ard il is high
time that the American Legion. il
il stands for the things IL SAYS il
stands Tor, II II has what we thought
II had ip the war. II Il has courage
On both ends Of the sun. IL IL has
that. Il win stand up and stop PUSSY.
footing and come out in the open
about these things that are deSsirnc-
tive 20 cur American government AMI