The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-11-28

That Frank C.. Sidoney, secretary
of the National Vigilance Association,
will have much more explaining to
do in regard to the indiscriminate
use of names of business men and
college presidents whom that organi-
zation gave out as members, is seen
in the investigation being conducted
by The Fiery Cross. All indications
now point to the whole matter being
a monumental farce perpetrated on
the people and gigantic hoax foisted
upon the newspapers which carried
the story and the "list of names al
ready in the association"
On last Saturday, Secretary Sid
oney "admitted an error" in the use
of the name of DR.. Robert Alley, presi-
dent of Butler College. Just now the
error occurred is a matter of con-
lecture for the reason that DR.. Alley
has protested the use of his name
before it was given out. A state
ment by DIR. Alley, following the un-
authorized use of his name, brings
to light the fact that he had written
the Vigilance Association two differ
ent times declaring that he was not
in sympathy with the movement and
would not allow his name to be used.
Directory Evidently Used
Due to the fact that denials of any
connection with the Vigilance Asso-
citation are coming from every part
of the country, it would appear that
names were taken at random from a
directory, especially in view of the
fact that Aven Nelson, given as pres
ident of Wyoming University, retired
from that position more than one
year ago. Also, he denies, in tele-
gram to The Fiery Cross of having
Committed the university to any
such program" as that laid out by
the Vigilance Associatiun, which is
formed, according to the newspaper
dispatch, to "wage an intensive cOun-
try-wide campaign looking to the
disintegration of the Ku Klux Klan
and kindred organizations"
The story, which came out of
Washington, D. c., and which was
printed in the daily press in all parts
of the country, is fast taking on the
appearance of being a part Of that
systemized effort now being made
to convince the public that certain
leaders in the business world and the
leading educators of the United
States are opposed to the Klan. It
fits in nicely with that part of the Or
ganized opposition's attempt to- make
it appear that the Klan is "dwin-
ding" @>-.-..
The following telegram in reply to
a query by the Fiery Cross is illu-
minative of the tactics employed by
the amalgamated enemies Of this
country, and is from Stephen B. l..
Penrose, president of Whitman Col
Iege, of Walla Walla, Wash. .
"Just returned home. i was not
an original incorporation of the Ma
tional Vigilance Association and
know nothing of its real purposes.
l was notified on October thirty first
by a letter from a man in Washington
personally unknown to me that I
had been appointed a member of the
National Committee of the National
Vigilance Association, an Organiza-
ton which l had never heard of be-
fore. 1t was described as having for
it's objects the promotion of patriot
ism and regard for law and without
suspicion, I accepted the appoint
ment but stipulated that ! assume NO
duties or obligations. Since that
time the newspapers have ascribed
an anti-Klan motive to Vigilance As
sociation. / have written to WASH
ington for authentic information. If
the organization is anti-Klan will
. WltndraW from IL. tE
Radio Head Makes Denial
David Ssroff, head Of the Radio
Corporation of America, New York
and whose name appeared in the list
as member, has declared that he
does not belong. This information
was contained in telegram to The
Fiery Cross. Samuel P. Leeds, pres
ident of the Chamber of Commerce,
Atlantic City, declares that his name
was used without authorization.
A telegram from A. s. Newlands,
secretary for Mr.. Leeds, reads:
Samuel P. Leeds has been in hos
pitai for three weeks. He is not q