Evening star., 1928-06-03
KLAN IN VIRGINIA
OPENS OFFENSIVE
Attacks Gov. Smith and Pro.
posed Constitutional
Amendments.
Special Dispatch to The star.

specisl Dispatch TO The star.
RICHMOND Va, June 2.-This week
has seen in full swing a campaign
which the Ku Kiux Khan has started
for the double purpose of defeating
the proposed constitutional amend
ments, which the people of Virginia
will vote on at the special election June
10, and of retardins the growth OF
Smith sentiment which is showing
great strength in many parts of the
State.
Campaign literature is being sent out
from Klan headquarters in Richmond
that the proposed constitutional
amendments were conceived in New
York and that they are Tammany-
made products which are to be used to
sfackle Virginia, and that they have
resulted from a deep conspiracy in
which the arch piotters were Gov. Byrd
of Virginia. Gov Smith of New York.
the Pope, and Thomas Fortune Ryan.
AS proof Of this it Is declared that
Gov. Byrd paid the New York Bureau
of Municipal Research $4,000 for work
in connection with the preparation OF
the amendments
Newspapers Comment.
While some of the newspapers of the
State are making light of the Klan
broadside. others are endeavoring to
OFFSET any possible effect by printing
the record of the inception and prog
ress of the constitu ional amendment
movement in Virginia. Among these
papers are some wfich are opposing
some of the proposed amendments.
Commenting e6itorially on the Situa-
ton. the Richmond News Leader says:
ITO every one is conceded the right
10 oppose any or aI OF the amend
ments. and the News Leader itself has
opposed the tax segregation section as
unwise: but not TO know that all of
these proposed changes were conceived
in Virginia. were the products of Vir-
ginians. and bear the apprC val OF the
duly-elected representatives OF the peo-
pie of Virginia. is a confession of ig-
norance that is appalling"
Despite the declaration OF Grand
Dragon j. l. Baskin Of the klan TO the
contrary. Gov. Byrd Ecints out that the
New York Bureau of Municipal Re-
search did no work on the constitu-
tional amendments and therefore did
not receive 5000 or any other sum for
such work
Editorially. the Norfolk Ledger-Dis-
patch says.
dragons statement Is that il is Fidicu-
lousy filled with error: not error that
requires argument, but error revealed
On the very face Of the record The
New York Bureau Of Municipal Re-
search had no more 10 DO with formu-
lafing the proposed amendments than
the grand dragon had TO do with the
treaty Of Locarro."
Puzzled by Opposition.
The Norfolk virginian- Pilot con-
feSSes that ii is puzzled by the klan
opposition 70 tils amendments In
what way" 1t asks. do the short bal
G.. segregation and other proposals
embraced in the program that will be
submitted 70 a vote Of the people Of
fend again Klan principles or OBJ
lectiyes9"
The American Issue Virginia edi-
ticnl. organ Of the Anti-SaiOon League,
containing the so-calied wet" record
Of Smith. Reed and Ritchie. Is being
distributed throughout Virginia. and
the opponents Of Gov. Smith are max
ing every effort 70 regain some Of the
ground which they have apparently
Ia In the last few months
Supporters Of Smith are working
quietly and are predicting that they
viii be able TO defeat the anti-SmIth
resolution which the Anti-SalOon
League has announced it win press Al
the State Democratic convention at
Roanoke June 81.
The situation In the Republican
party IN the State shows little change
"A the time Of the holding of the Kan
Szz City convention approaches. The
Hoover people are more active than a.
any time since the campaign opened
and Il Is reported that they are pick
ing Up a stray delegate here and there
-sDe that the Virginia delegation. which
Is Uninssnxc1e6, may present solid
front for Hoover when the oaiIotlng at
Kansas City starts
r. L, G. EARRET