Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-10-26
Witness Tells of
Khan Activities in
Indiana Politics

Kansas CITY, Oct. 2.f--(PJ-An
amazing tale of political intrigue in
Indiana, through which ran the
names of Senator James E. Watson.
Republican candidate for reelection.
and high officials of the Ku Klux
Khan, was related here today to the
senate campaign funds committee by
Ralph B. Bradford of Crown. Point,
Ind. Bradford admitted that he was
antl-klansman, and that most of his
testimony was obtained second hand.
The witness made charges of
wholesale political corruption in
Lake County. particularly in East
Chicago and Indiana Harbor, during
the Republican primary last May,
and asserted that there had been a
general shaking down" of bootleg
gers and dive keepers by peace Off
GERS working in the interest of what
was described as the Watson organi-
cation.
Senator Reed. Democrat. of Mis-
souri,, the committee chairman, who
still was carrying on the inquiry by
himself, also was told that. 1t was
wei known among the Klansmen of
Indiana that Senator Arthur r. Rob
inson was klansman."
After the hearing here had been
closed to be reopened at ST. Louis
probably tomorrow. Senator Reed
announced that if Senators Watson
and Robinson desired to refute the
new evidence presented to the COM
mittee, they would be given oppor-
tunity to do so through aftidavits.
Bradford and Wallace c. J. Gran
ger of Logansport. Ind, We're the
chief witnesses today.
E Bradford testified that he had been
informed by Walter F. Bossert. of
Indianapolis, that Senator Watson
had sat in on a conference of klan
officials at Washington at which the
resignation of Bossert, as Indiana
grand dragon, had been forced by
DR.. Hiram ". Evans, imperial wiz
ard of the Klan.
Besides Senator Watson and DIR.
Evans, others at the session includ-
ed Joseph Huntington, in charge of
Khan political affairs in Indiana, and
the mayors of Indianapolis and Ev-
ansville. Bradford said he had been
told of this conference also by James
Bolin, then secretary TO Bossert.
Both Bradford and Bossert charged
there had been deal whereby Bos-
sert was to be deposed because he
insisted on keeping the Khan non
partisan and that w. Lee Smith had
been made grand dragon in his place
SO that the Khan would Ego down the
line for Senator Watson.
Describing meeting at Indian
apolis last January at which Smith
was elected. both witnesses charged
that the session had been packed
so that Smith could be "put over
and said that DR.. Evans, who per-
sonally proposed Smiths name, had
a rising vote instead of a roll call of
the delegates as required by the
Khan constitution. A letter purport-
ing to have been written by Mrs
Lora Foote, realm commander of the
womens organization of the Khan
in the Hoosier state. was produced
by Bradford as evidence of which
the document described as 1.-THE low
down on the recent shakeup in the
Khan"
dated January 10 at Indianapolis
the letter said DIR. Evans personally
favored Joseph Suffington for the
Grand Dragonship, but that smith
was next in line"
Joe Suffington has been given
control over Indiana political affairs
winch, OF course, pleases us all the
letter continued. That means our
man Watson will have clear sstIins
with the klan."
Bradford told Senator Reed that his
information about the holding UP OF
bootleggers and dive keepers in Lake
County came from officials in the pro.
secutor's office. He added there had
been no arrests because the count,
sheriff did not work with the prose.
cutor, but that a complete report hat
been made to E. c. Yellowly, chief o
the prohibition field agents. Estimat
ing that the Watson organizatio,
must have spent at least $4,000 Ii
/. Lake County alone. the witness added
/, that after the primary all the stat
/, and county officers in Lake Count
| who held Office by appointment an,
/ who bad opposed Senator Watson Ii
the primary had been removed from
! office.
Senator Reed announced that /
would be impossible to follow ii
these new leads on Indiana tangle
/ political situation before the election
| He plans to close the hearing at S.
Louis tomorrow if Mrs. Vivian Trac
Wheatcraft, vice chairman OF III
Indiana state Republican ro,, m itta,