The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-07-31
ROBBED AND HOODED kLANSMEN OCCUPY
STAGE OF SKOWHEGAh OPERA HOUSE
Rev. John Reynolds Of Newport Explains Att.
tude of Ku Klux Khan on Different Questions

The kn KlBx Khan lecture. In the
Opera House. last Thursday evening
was attended by an audience, which
practically filled the auditorium Eyi-
IDENTIFY many had come from out OF
town To learn more OF the fundamen-
tails Of the organization. Rev. Mr..
Brown, Methodist minister former
ly located in Madison was the presid-
ing officer. As the curtain was slow
ly raised. thirteen Klansmen, in white
robes and hooded with red tassels
falling from the tops Of their curious.
headgear, presented an unusual spec
tacle. Cut flowers and the Stars and
Stripes We're features Of the stage
decorations. Each man sat with
folded arms and after the program
had been begun, three more of the
ROBBED figures marched down the aisle
and took their places with their fell
low members on the platform. Rev
Mr.. Brown called for volunteer
pianist and Mrs. David Withee kindly
responded to the request, but the
piano being locked the accompani-
ments could NOT be played to the open
ing number which was America"
sung by the audience. The speaker
of the evening was Rev. John Rey-
nolds, pastor Of the Christian Church
at Newport.
The speaker as he said discussed
questions agitating the minds of the
American people. in movement
reaching out to every hamlet and vii
lage.' He declared lit was not a
movement to create race; prejudice or
religious prejudice. He mentioned
the Hebrew race and said that the
only trouble there would be between
the Khan and the Jewish people would
be on business relations. So far as
the Catholic church was concerned.
Mr.. Reynolds. said that the Khan had
nothing to do with the matter of a
mans religious worship. But he did
speak at length on the public school
system, which he credited with being
the difficulty between the Khan and
the Catholics. He said the Khan be
lieyed that the public funds paid by
the people. should go to the public
schools He spoke of the vast pro-
ducts of the United States and said il
was the greatest age and that this is
the greatest country, adding, eve are
rich enough to buy the rest of the
world and take a mortgage on the
MOON He spoke of the vast pro-
ducts of the United States and of what
had been accomplished through the
public schools of our country. His
comment with this was that no men
of any religion should do anything to
take away from this plan. And he
added. the Khan proposes to stand by
the schools Of this country. rthe pub
lie schools that unlock the door OF
opportunity for the poor as well as
the richest Mr.. Reynolds urged
the people not to criticise an order
that they do not know all about. He
emphasized the fact that the Khan
believes in the church and that it
was impossible to have good gov
eminent without being good citizens,
and his remark that the church ought
TO be supported with the presence of
the people on Lords Day was greet
ed with applause. Jesus Christ is
the klansman Criterion" the speak
er declared. Another fundamental of
the Khan. according to Mr.. Reynolds,
is that the church and the state ought