The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-27
Ultinnatun1
Issued to
knights Must Quit Invisible
Empire or Get Out of
Brooklyn, District At
torney Announces.
Plan Anti Organization

New York Jan. 26.-tBy a. P.0A
warning to members of the ku kluX
l<lan that they must give up their
allegiance to the Invisible empire or
get out of brooklyn. was issued by
Attorney Dodd of Ving s
county and Magistrate, Dale.
The warning WIS voiced at the ar
raignment of eight alleged members
of the "inner circle of the khan, who
were arrested Thursday night by men,
bcrs of the bomb squad after they
had attended what their counsel ad-
mltted to have been a klan meeting.
They were held in 81 500 bail for fur
ther cxamination-seven on charges
of possessing black jacks and one on
7 charge Of having a bottle of whisky
n the automobile in which all were
arrested.
Counsel for some of the defendants
demanded an immediate hearing, but
Magistrate Dale refused until he was
told OF the presence of the black ia ok s
in the car after the men had departed
from the meeting. which it was learn
cd, is occupied in the day time by the
brooklyn traffic court.
Open Meeting of klan.
Magistrate Dale asked NJ II. Mathe-
son. as the attorney for the majority
OF the prisoners, whether 1t was a
meeting of the ku klux klan.
Matheson had short talk with one
uf the prisoners.
II am informed . he then told the
court. that 1t WAS an open meeting
nf the ku klux klan designed to ac-
quaint members of any other inter
ested with the aim and purposes OF
he klan." he said.
Before fixing bail Magistrate Dale
conferred with the district attorney s
Office by telephone. Afterwards he
raid he had been requested by District
attorney Dodd to say that the ku
klux klan had no place in Brooklyn
I'D would be driven out as fast as 1t
"reappeared.
To Organize Opposition.
Chicago, Jan. Can 'aIi nations
rally to form the basis of national
organization to oppose the ku klnx
Elan and kindred organizations will
be held at the Coliseum here begin
ming February e6 and continuing for
one week, Patrick II. O'Donnell. chair
man of the American Unity league,
announced tonight.
Gov. John NJ. Parker of Louisiana
has accepted an invitation to make
the opening address ~ the rally on
February 26 and Gov. Al Smith of
New York is expected to speak along
with other prominent speakers, Mr..
ODonnen announced.
This is expected TO mark the be
ginning of n national movement" he
said. Ito harmonize all races and re
ligions in the common purpose of
breaking down the Ku Klux klan and
kindred organizations that undertake
TO overthrow separation OF church and
state. freedom OF conscience, equality
before the law and freedom Of man to
act
Following the meetings here Mr..
ODonnell declared that similar meet
ings would be held in other principal
cities Of the country and that A ma
tional organization opposing what he
termed the Unreasonable principles
OF the khan will result.
Wizard Issues Statement.
Ku Klux Klansmen have no right
to take the law into their own hands,
Hiram Wesley Evans. imperial wiz
ard OF the organization. who in Il
statement charged Governor Parker
OF Louisiana with political or other
motives in instigating the Mer Rouge
investigation OF the deaths Of Watt
paniel and T. f. Richard, declared
Nday.
Asked il the khan would defend any
men who may be arrested or indicted
in connection With the Louisiana
case. Evans said
1T would depend entirely upon the
condition OF the klansman. II he was
unable to provide defense for him
self he would most certainly see thai
his rights as klansman were looked
after, and that he got justice. We
would not use any effort anywhere
10 prevent a man from paying the
lust penalty for crime committed
Quotes From Oath.
There is no set OF circumstances
under which the khan would have
right to take into its own hands, ol
be responsible in any way for the en-
forcement' OF the law, except insofar
rs their sworn duty as klansmei
would place them under the officials
charged with the enforcement OF ths
law" Evans said Every klansmar
specifically takes the following oath
which has never been published be
fore:
II furthermore promise to swear
that will always. at all times, and II
all places, help. aid and assist the duly
constituted officers of the law in thu
proper performance Of their leSa
duties"
There is nothing continued in any
oath that in any way permits, allow:
or condones law violations.
The mask is but a portion OF oul
regalia. II is only worn within oul
kaverns during ceremony of naturali
~Ation or initiation-or, when specia
dispensation is granted. in a public
parade. to the grave Of klansman
or q man who has served the khan ol
the country i'm an outstanding way, ol