The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-24
HAS THOUSANDS
IN NO. DAKOTA,
is CLAIM MADE
Rev. Ambrose of Grand Forks
Opposes Sperry-McCoy
Anti-Hood Bill
MAJORS FOR 1T
Senator Mccoy Says Klans.
man Not Good Americans
Cor They'd Show Faces"
SENATORS FOR 1T


There are thousands of members
of the Ku Klux Klan in North Da-
kota. Rev. 7. Halsey Ambrose, pastor
of the First Presbyterian church of
Grand Forks, asserted last night be-
fore the senate state affairs commit.
tee in opposing the passage of the
Sperry- Mccoy bill making it unlaw-
full. to wear masks by members of any
organization, outside any building .
He asserted there were 5,O0O,OOO
members in the United States.
Rev. Ambrose, admitting he was a
member of the Klan, for an hour and
half discussed the purposes Of the
organization, making particular ref
erence to the organization in Grand
Forks and it's work. He said there
were hundreds of Klansmen in that
city.
He declared the Klan had made IT,
self felt in politics, and asserted that
if sheriff did not enforce the law
the Klan did not 60 out and fog him,
but would recall him.
Senator Sperry, speaking briefly
following the visitor, said that Rev.
Ambrose while denying the Klan was
responsible for outrages over the
nation had admitted they were com.
mitted by masked men, and it was
the purpose of the bill to prevent
men hiding under hoods The bill,
he said. would really be a protectio on
to the Klan.
Senator Mccoy, co-author of tn.
bill, also speaking briefly declared
there was nothing to hinder banu:ts
dressing as members of the Ku K:ux
klan. and said "they can't be god
American citizens or they'd show
their faces"
Hearing in Court House.
The hearing was held in the cour
house and the court room was crowd
ed. AT the conclusion the committee
took no action. Two or three sena-
tors discussed points of the bill with
Rev. Ambrose.
Rev Ambrose declared the Klaa
wished to wear masks only at fun
erals, in ceremonies and limitations
at hired groves. Asked if there
would be objection to the bill if ex-
ceptions were made, he declared that
there would be none, and said it
would be a protection to the Klan.
He asserted similar bill was being
introduced in every Legislature i'll
the country.
After dwelling at length upon what
he said was the foundation Of the or
ganization and stating the secret
work of the Klan lay before him on
table and could be examined by the
senators. Rev. Ambrose put and ali
swcred certain questions about the
Khan E
"What is 2" he asked.
at is a strictly out and out, 100
per cent, simon pure American or
ganization."
"Who can join?"
"Only Gentle. native-born, Protes.
tant people," He continued to ex-
plain QUESTIONABLE he said every
member of the Klan must sign when |
making application. The questions
included: "What is the motive
prompting your inquiry concerning
the organization "Do you believe !
in white supremacy? /"Will you up. !
hold the Constitution of the United |
States?' ALSO the person was re-
quired to- answer if he believed in |
freedom of speech, of preventing
causes of mob violence, of closer re-
lations between capital and labor, OF !
preventing strikes by foreign agita. /
tors.
"Why specify Gentiles, Protes.
tants ?" he was asked.
He answered at length, saying
there was the great Jewish organiza-
tion, B'nai Birth" and said he could
not join because he was not a Ke-
brew. There was the Knights of
Columbus and he could not join be-
Cause he was not Catholic. He
named negro organizations and Ger
Alliance.
DO we say they are 4nti-Prote.
tant or anti-American because we
can't join?" he asked. "No, we don't.
We are not built that way"
How One Gets In.
"How does he get in the Klan ?"
he asked.
He explained members OF the or.
sent up a Klan bearing
names. If anyone objects he must
arise in meeting and state the OBJ
lection. If the names are passed they
90 to p clearance committee Of FIVE.
There may be 100 names go to this
committee and only 10 be approved,
ne said. Then, he said, the person.
$ told anf he may join the Khan Or
decline.
He read from the Kloran. the book
If the Klan, q passage saying that
hey held no prejudice against any
'ne because Of religious or political
'cruples 30 long % they didn't in
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