Evening star., 1924-06-29

N,oHlluutu lToHl ITSt fdSe.D
question into politics He read the
long list of states whose members
of the platform committee had
signed the majority report and pre-
dicted that if the majority plank
were adopted the Democratic ticket
would sweep the country.
Owen Young's Letter Read.
The election of 1920. he said, failed
to represent true referendum on the
league because the issue was inter-
woven with many other influences
He asserted that most of those who
had signed the majority report were
in favor of going into the league"
but did not want direct issue raised
as between the two great parties.
Many thousands he said. will
vote to go into the leasue at a gen.
eral referendum. but they will not
vote for 1t If they have to Qui. their
party to do So"
The speaker read letter from
Owen D. Young, who served with
Charles G. Dawes on the reparations
commission, advising against making
1924 campaign.
Senator Jones Speaks.
Senator A. A. Jones of New Mexico
followed Mr.. Lucking. also speaking
for the majority plank. The sitting
heat in the hall and the flow of ora
tory on a subject that manifestly was
not uppermost in the minds of dele
gates or spectators, had quieted
greatly the fervor of the vast audi
ence, and when Senator Jones took
the speakers stand great empty
patches had appeared among the dele
third empty. The crowd had sifted
out slowly, but many of them were
seeking a bit of refreshment nearby,
prepared to return later and see the
fight over the khan.
Reciting how he had supported the
league without reservation and later
had voted for it "even with the OBJ
noxious Lodge reservations" the New
Mexico senator pleaded with the con-
vention not again to place the league
issue in politics by drawing a sharp
line on the question between the two
great parties.
Baker Defends Minority Report.
Mr.. Baker then was recognized to
defend the minority report he had
presented on the league plank. He
began by saying that aside from his
duty to God and his family, the
league of nations was nearer his
heart than any other thing in the
universe.
THE man who ought to be pleading
his cause" he said, "is dead and lying
in consecrated ground. I don't like
to appeal to your sympathy, but
want to appeal to every emotion for
we are dealing with the most serious
question that can be considered by
man."
Senator Owen Speaks.
After announcing that the minority
league plank had been rejected, Sem
ator Walsh recognized Senator Owen
Of Oklahoma to begin debate on the
Klan plank.
Il appear before you now in a po-
sition in which 1 am entirely free to
express my opinion as well as to defend
the majority resolution now before
you" said the senator in beginning,
explaining that he was about to re-
tire from public life.
This is a most critical question"
said Senator Owen. This is not a
question as to the Ku Klux Klan
or losing. This is a differ
majority Of the members of your
resolutions committee and a minority
Of the same committee.
Explains Difference.
The majority members present
you with a plank declaring in strong
est possible terms for freedom of
freedom of speech, freedom
If the press and freedom of the rights
Of every individual to the protection
Of the laws. The only difference be-
tween the minority and the majority
is whether the national convention
shall stigmatize the Klan by name
as being guilty of interfering with
religious liberty and with the poll
teal rights Of their fellow citizens
Make no mistake about the Issue,
there '1SnC ANYBODY anywhere in
America in any responsible position
that would defend any organization,
Ku klux or not, in violating the
principles of the Constitution or dis
regarding the lawful rights of their
fellow citizens.
II assume 1t is true that members
wearing the mask and indulging in
frolics with their nighties
On have been guilty of depredatoins
On their names and that sometimes
the vilest and basest Of criminals
have worn the mask to indulge them
selves in some criminal act. That
Is probably true. 1t is also true that
here are other Iunatics in the coun-
try who do not wear this shroud.
It is also true that there are other
criminals in the country who do not
wear this hood. I have been amazed
10 see this controversy between
Democrats as to what is wise party
policy represented by the press as
being a defeat or a victory for the
K. K. K 1t is neither one nor the
,ther.
For Religfous Freedom.
"As for myself I would not know
nply denriye any American Citi2an