Evening star., 1925-07-24
RUDOLPH ASSUMES
ENTIRE AUTHORITY
FOR RKLAN'SPARA
Asserts Responsibility in
Matter Is Out of Hands
of President.
SCORES PUBLICITY GIVEN
TO DEMONSTRATION FIGHT
Agitation Started, by One Person,
Who Has Been Silenced,
He Explains.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG,
staff Correspondent of The Star.

SUMMER WHITE HOUSE. Swamp
scott, Mass, July 24.-President
Coolidge was cleared of any RESPONSE
bility incident to the holding of the
Ku Klux Klan demonstration in
Washington next month by a state
ment made late yesterday afternoon
by Cuno II. Rudolph. president of
the Board of District Commissioners,
to a group of newspaper men at the
White Court gate.
Commissioner Rudolph stated that
IL there was to be any stopping of
the contemplated Klan demonstration
at the Capital such action would be
taken by the District Commissioners
and no one else. He declared that
they are the responsible parties, but
that they see no reason why the
gathering should not be permitted,
and have issued the necessary per-
mission. He stated that he does not
look for more than 5000 men in the
parade, instead of a hundred thou
sand, as was estimated at first. He
explained that much of the agitation
in connection with the Klan parade
was started by one individual, whose
identity was learned by the local au-
thorities and who has since been
silenced.
Thrives on Criticism.
THE Klan thrives on criticism and
publicity" Commissioner Rudolph
said. IF the newspapers would stop
giving the kiansmen 50 much pub
licity, the order would die out in a
short time, but every time you print
story about them you help swell
their membership"
While Commissioner Rudolphs s
views were not expressed to the
President they have been carried by
papers over the country, and the opin-
ion was expressed afterward by
friends of the President that they
should serve to satisfy the public gen.
orally that the klan demonstration.
about which so much has been written
and against which protests have been
received by President Coolidge, has
been. and will continue to be, in the
hands of the Washington city author
tiles. In other words, Commissioner
Rudolph's frank statement should
serve to clear the Presidents
skirts"
Visit Not Official.
Commissioner Rudolph said he had
nothing whatever to take up with the
President and that he and Mrs. Ru-
dolph, who are staying at Magnolia
20 miles up the shore from Swamp
scott, merely motored over to White
Court to leave cards for the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge. They did
not go beyond the gate. From these
grounds they went to Red Gables,
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank w.
Stearns, friends and neighbors of the
Coolidges, where they paid a brief
visit.
The Commissioner stated that while
he knows nothing of the suit filed in
the District courts which might re-
suit in opening another evolution
trial, except what he has read in
the newspapers, he does not believe
it is of sufficient Importance to cause
any concern. He said he is used to
jOkers in riders on appropriation
bills and he feels confident that the
matter will be disposed of satisfac-
torily by the courts
Mr.. Rudolph said he was enjoy
ing himself This is his first vacation
in number of years. he explained
He expected to be back in Wash
ington to be on hand during the Klan
demonstration.