New Britain herald., 1926-10-26
To Reopen Thursday

St. Louis, Oct. 26.-JPNDecision to reopen the Indiana campaign in vestigation here Thursday to delve further into Ku Klux Klan political activities was announced today by Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri, chairman of the senate campaign funds committee.
 Investigation came to sudden halt here today when Dr. John Logan certified to Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri. chairman of the campaign funds committee, that Mrs. Vivian Tracy Whcatcraft was not in physical condition to testify.
 "Poison Squad" Charges
 The chairman had desired to question Mrs. Wheatcraft who is chairman of the Indiana state republican committee. Concerning testimony before the committee that she had stated she had organized a poison squad" among the women of Indiana for the primary cam paign of Senator Watson, republi- can, who now is seeking reelection.
 Mrs. Wheatcraft has been in a hospital here for several days under going medical treatment and her physician said it might be several days before she could give her testi- mony.
 Whether the Indiana inquiry will be pursued further before the cleo tions next Tuesday remains to be determined by Senator Reed. If ad- ditional witnesses are heard they will be summoned to St. Louis.
 Kansas Inquiry Ends
 Tn winding up its inquiry at Kan sas City in a single day. the com- mittee heard from former Indiana klansmen a more detailed story of how the Klan was ordered to ''go down the line" for Senator Watson in the primary campaign. The wit nesses were Ralph E. Bradford of Crown Point, and Wallace c. J. Granger of Longansport.
 Bradford quoted both Walter r. Bossert and James Bolin, both of Indianapolis, as having said that | Senator Watson had attended a con- ference at Washington of high Klan officials, at which Bossert's resigna- tion as grand dragon was demanded | and received.
 Evans Packed" Meeting
 Then the two witnesses described | a meeting at Indianapolis last l January, at which they declared Dr. Hiram w. Evans, imperial wizard, | had forced the selection of w. Lee l Smith as Bossert's successor. They ! asserted that Dr. Evans packed" ! the meeting in order to put ove.' Smith, although he knew that 65 | per cent of the accredited delegates | Favored a Major Hite of the volun- | teers of America.
 Granger said that as a result of i the row that followed within Kan ranks the membership dwindled in April, the month before the primary. to less than 17,0o0 from a peak of 17S,000.
 While indicating a desire to call new witnesses and re-examine some Of those already heard, Senator Reed announced that beyond the possible hearing of Mrs. Wheatcraft here he could sec little probability of carrying on the Indiana inquiry until after the elections. The Mis- sourian came here primarily to de- liver a political address tonight on behalf of Representative Harry E. Hawes, the democratic senatorial and others on the ticket with him.
 Watson Denies All
 Senator Watson, when informed It Indianapolis last night of Brad 'ord's accusation denied he had ever had connections with the Ku Klux Iilan in Indiana politics.
 Senator Watson also declared that Bradford had been bitter ene- ny" of his for many years and that 'eports that the Watson organiza- ion made large expenditures in cer- ain districts scarcely merits