Evening star., 1925-08-09
ABLE CENERALSHIP DISPLAYED
IN MARSHALLINC KHAN PARADE
Obscure COMMITTEE Handled Formation of I'm
weldy Mass of White-Robed Marchers in MasterIy
Manner-Their Identity Is Kept Secret.

top of his stock and with the white
robed figures about the vehicle shout
ing for slices of the luscious water
melons, he exercised complete con-
troll of the situation, commanding pa
ttence, less noise and more order
The Klansmen did not object, they
wanted watermelons. Ice cream and
soda fountain stores were jammed
throughout the afternoon.
Musics Charms Fail.
Here and there a band would strike
up a lively tune, but il fell fiat on
the ears Of the listeners. A smatter.
ing Of applause was the biggest re
to move. Instantly new life was born
in eHch member Of the Ku Niux Khan
They sprans to ti.eir positions, bands
struck up snappy fox trots and its was
the beginning OF another day.
Slight progress was made. but there
came 4 halt, followed by many more
Nevertheless, action was IN sight and
enthusiasm burned at the Highest.
This is q great day throughout the
r-orid f9g the protcstarte." " prophesied
one klansnan 10 The Stars reporter.
yrho. however, never Il. 4 be known
lie was connected with u newspaper
talking 10 the knights. ''The whole
World !s watching rs" he rnrssd.
When asked the purpose OF the pa
rade. this particular klansEaan was
not quite sure, but he said he thought
il was ''the realization OF great
drear-. Ot the founder" When the
Khan was orsa nized the second time
he explained, the founder expressed
the agpe that some day he would see
the organization marching down
Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington
"yTho was the founder" ne was
"( don't know, was the reply.
$4,000 In Sight.
"BGs." ne said, not Intentionally
changing the subject. "you are look
ing on millions of dollars all about
you as far as you can see"
"lIow is that was the logical ques-
ton.
"Why each Klansman represents
$3.50 paid into the order"
Based on the conservative estimate
Of 50 600 II the parade, that means
the person wEo was fortunate enough
to see the entire gathering at one look,
gazed on $495.oo0
AS one walked through the miles OF
49,
the fraternity men discussing with
their brothers how the public had
been fooled THE people here thought
there would be 5000. ha, ha," one man
was overheard to say. I'll bet any
thing there are 100000 Klansmen in
this parade" That ordinary figure
OF 5000 furnished the basis for many
an interesting conversation.
The press also came in for share
OF discussion by the Klan.
''They are afraid to tell the whole
truth about us, how many are here
and who is here" declared one know
Ing Individual. That's why they have
been soft-pedaling this parade and
telling everybody there would be
5000 people present" The poor man
did not know that many a reporter
has spent hours that could be used to
a better advantage trying to find out
from the headquarters here just how
many would be present. who would
be present and other details. The
"secTecy" surrounding the entire pa
rade was maintained almost intact
until 1t stepped onto Pennsylvania
Avenue. For example,:
Secrecy" at Every Turn.
About O'Clock a representative Of
this newspaper asked the information
committee at the Peace Monument
just where the different State delega-
tions were to form. SORRY, brother -
came the reply. ats a secret--just a
minute turning to a Klansman who
just came up), You say you're from
Pennsylvania? Well, you join your
crowd at Second street and Maryland
avenue northeast, right up this way
pointing to Capitol HID. We are not
allowed speaking to the reporter) to
tell where these men are."
TITS not hard to find out" was the
reply, "for all we have to do is go
up In that section and read the ban
ners."
"All right" said the Klansman,
"you can, but this IL secret" And
while this conversation was going on