Evening star., 1924-10-16
KHAN IS DIVIDING
KANSAS ONLY ON
STATE ELECTION
Coolidge Strong and National
G. 0. P. Ticket Is Held
Certain of Victory.
BY &. GOULD LINCOLN.
Stsff CorresDOnden of The Star.

TOPEKA, Kan, October 1.-two
schools of thought exist in Kansas as
to the proper way of dealing with the
ku Klux klan issue.
One believes if let alone the klan
will die because of lack of interest.
The other believes in stamping on the
klan with both feet
William Allen White, the anti-Klan
candidate for governor, belongs to the
second class. His injection into the
campaign as an independent has
messed things up generally for the
two old party tickets. The La Fol-
lette people are not taking sides, they
say, in the gubernatorial fight. They
are attending strictly to their knit
ting. hoping to roll up q big vote for
La Toilette in the presidential race.
klan Backs Both Nominees.
Mr. White, widely known as writ
er and editor of the Emporia Gazette,
because he couldn't prevail upon any
of his friends to run on an anti-klan
ticket. After the Republican and
Democratic nominations had been
made Mr.. White delivered himself OF
editorials and statements to the ef-
feet that Kansas must be saved from
the klan. Ben Paulen. the Republican
nominee, MAS, ,indorsedsby the Khan in
the primary fight,
So was Gov. Jonathan NJ Davis. the
democratic nominee who is seeking
20 succeed himself. The Republican
State platform makes no mention of
the klAn. The Democratic State plat
form, on the other hand. denounces
the Klan. But SO far no one has
heard Gov. Davis himself publicly
denounce the hooded order.
Mr.. White. after vainly seeking a
to bear the anti Klan ban
ner and after much kidding" by
some of the newspapers and his ac-
quaintances, announced. "by heck"
that If no one else would leap into
the breach he would do SO himself.
White Announces Platform.
Within the last few days Mr.. White
has drafted platform dealing with
various State matters. 1t is not rad
ical, nor is it long. He pledges him
self to continue along lines already
laid down by the state. His planks
provide for certain revisions in the
laws relating to the guaran-
tee fund: for taking the State schools
for higher education out of politics;
for amending the primary law to pre-
vent minority nominations and to
prevent blocks of voters coming to
primaries outside of their parties; for
amending the industrial court law to
abolish the present organization, ex-
cept for one judge (there are now
three), and leaving to the State Su-
preme Court the assembling of emer-
gency courts of conciliation in capital
and labor disputes; for a budget sys-
tenn, and for readjustment of rail-
road rates upon farm products.
Sole Source Of Excitement.
But the Klan issue is the onlv
issue really causing any excitement
as between Mr.. White and his oppo-
nents. Mr.. White is going up and
down the State, and many people are
attending his meetings. The Repub-
lican State organization feels conf
dent that 1t will succeed in electing
Paulen. The Democrats, on the other
hand, believe they have a good chance
with Davis. The latter assert that
White is Republican,, as he is. and
that his detection means a. split in
Republican ranks. On the other
hand. the Republicans point out that
White will get many Catholic votes.
and many Catholics have been Demo
Gratis. They say that White also will
get a considerable number of labor
votes which have hitherto been Dem
,ocratic. MIR. White won the hearts.
of many working men when he took
firm stand for the striking unions,
protesting against the Industrial
Court of Kansas. 1t was then he
placarded his newspaper Office with
criticism of the court, and the then
governor. Henry Allen, threatened to
put White in Jail for contempt of
court. or course, he never did.
Gsvcrns1 to Run Strong.
The Democrats admit when not
talking for publication that Jonathan
M. Davis, the gubernatorial candidate.
will run more strongly in Kansas
than will John w. Davis, the presi-
Dental nominee. Jonathan M. Davis
is the hope of the party. as a matter
of fact. in this State.
Some of the Democrats are much
irritated over Mr.. Whites attitude.
pointing out that their State platform
denounces the Klan, and arguing that
the anti-Klan voters should support
Gov. Davis. '-. -.,
Gov. Davis was the party's candi-
date for the presidential nomination
and for the vice presidential nomina-
tion at the Democratic national con-
vention. They point with pride to his
election as governor two years ago by
some $4,000 votes over his opponent
Morgan. Davis at that time de-
nounced the industrial court and de-
clared himself for the reduction of
taxes. y
ku Klux Keeps Quiet.
The Ku Klux Klan in this State
to all outward appearances at present
is keeping quiet. AS matter Of fact,
the Khan has not run to violence or to
great demonstrations in Kansas.
An.ro kann M oh Z