The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-30
KHAN CHALLENGE IS UNANSWERED
 BY COOLIDGE
Address Before Fraternal Congress Deals With
 Fraternalism Alone
CBy RAYMOND CLAPPER) (Leased Wire To The Age-Heraldl


 WASHINGTON, August 29.--Presi- dent Coolidge avoided any reference to the ticklish Ku Klux Klan issue in his speech to the National Fraternal congress. He dealt exclusively with the theme of fratefnalism, his audience be- ing composed of representatives of most lodges and fraternal orders in the United States. Not even by inference was there any recognition of the chals lenge recently thrown out by Davis at Seagift.
 He commended, without exception. the spirit of fraternal organizations After elabofating at length upon the virtues of thrift, common sense and brotherhood, he added:
 1t is because the .fraternal spirit is an attempt to translate these ideals into daily life and action that it is entitled to so much commendation and approval. 1t deserves to rank among the soundest and most practical efforts of the present day to better the life of mankind. 1t emphasizes brotherhood. It promotes fellowship. It aims to provide benefits which are not charity but result from mutual service and helpfulness. It teaches it's members lO COubluCE AltC LuluAC Ao WCAA oo NAAC present in order to provide against diversity, It promotes self-reliance, self-respect, self-control and indepen- dence. The rituals of nearly all fra ternal organizations are based upon re. 1igion.
 No true fraternity can rest on any other. conception. It is for those req sons that they are supporters of the true aims of society, strong reliances of ordered government, according to public law, able advocates of the cause of righteousness and religion, and eff fective promoters of peace and good will among the nations of the earth" "
 Evades Mention Of Klan
 It is yet uncertain whether Coolidge will answer the klan challenge of the democratic candidate. He addresses the Holy Name society here Septem- Der 21, and may take occasion to deal with the religious question then. But neither in bis speech to the fraternal congress delegates nor in his semi weekly conference with newspaper cor. respondents did the President touch upon the subject.
 Coolidge dropped easily into his reg lilar White House routine upon his re- turn early Friday from Vermont. After breakfast at the White House, the President worked on accumulated mail until time for the morning cabinet meet ing. There Secretary of Agriculture Wallace reported on the foot and mouth disease, but otherwise little of import ance came up.
 Considers Commission E Coolidge is considering the personnel of his agricultural advisory commission but no appointments are ready for an- 1ouncement. The question of appoint ing a diplomatic representative to the Irish. Free State has been raised but must be postponed because Congress has not granted either authority or Cuba. now thnt revolutionary troubles funds for that purpose.
 Lifting of the embargo on arms to have subsided, is being considered and Is likely to be announced soon.
 The sugar report of the United States tariff commission which the President tookfto Vermont with him was brought back here for, further con alteration The President discovered, when he started to examine the report at Plymouth, that he could not reach a decision without talking certain points over with various members of the com mission.