New Britain herald., 1923-01-05
KHAN INQUIRY HAS
ALREADY been MADE
Government Report ShoYs--post
Office Dept. Takes Measures

Washington. Jan. b.-Federal in
terests alone are responsible for the
investigation OF the iku Klux Khan in
the south. officials OF the department
OF justice said yesterday In the first
public admission that operatives are
inquiring into the Morehousc Parish
outrage, a fact known for some time
and heralded from northern Louisiana
in news stories. Department OF JUS
tice officers denied they were infring-
ing upon state powers and declared
the United States government was
concerned whenever justice operatives
were sent.
Attorney General DauEherty was at
tackled during the impeachment pro-
ceedings for the activity OF federal in
vestigators in the campaign against
syndicelism in Michigan, and obvious
~ the department has not courted
further allegations that Mr.. Daugher-
~ was interfering with the states at
the expense OF the public treasury.
For that reason, and to refrain
from advertising to the groups of
Klansmen and similar organizations
what was being done, the presence Of
investigators in Khan strongholds has
been a carefully guarded secret.
The department has been making a
systematic investigation of Khan work
an through the South. Observers
have been posted during Khan parades,
identifying masked members and jot-
ting down their names and dropping
In wherever an outrage was attributed
to the invisible empire or its members.
It was learned today that much of the
Investigation work has been under
taken at the request OF other depart
ments, particularly the post office and
state.
Separate Probe.
The post office department has been
making a separate inquiry. Chief In
spector Simmons said today there had
been no tangible results. Among
the matters Investigated was alleged
tampering with mail In Louisiana
Letters reaching state officials relating
to the Morehouse murders had been
tampered with. To find the culprits
several other. letters were passed
through the same channel with a
powdered acid sprinkled over the
sheets SO that stain would ne leit
on the hands of any who gained ac-
cess to the inside Of the missive. The
letters we're delivered properly, but
from INSPECTOR Simmons statements
none was found who had tempered
With them.
Mexican Complaints.
The interest the state department
had in the inquiry arose through tne
bad treatment of Mexicans along tne
Texas border. Mexico has filed sew
era, nrotests over the deaths OF citl-
gems on the American side of the Dor
der. maintaining that such crimes go
unnunishcd In the border regions,
blame was attached to the local
authorities and up to the presen'
Klansmen have not been charged with
responsibility. In these cases the
state department has forwarded the
complaints to the governor OF Texas
for action on his part
IT Ia now known that the depart
ment OF justice has been seeking 10
determine whether Ku Klux activi-
Ties or activities of other masked or
ranizations have been directed against
Mexicans. The justice department
has made an inquiry into the attempt
Of the White Owls, an organization IN
the Texas oil fields, to run out Next
can and Negro labor which is de-
ciared to be essential for some classes
OF work.
It was said at the department that
federal action will be taken In the
Morehouse Parish case If Federal
laws were in any manner violated.
But this is doubtful. 1t was mtin-
tanned, however. that investigators