Evening star., 1937-09-14

L n
Page Az.
Indications today strongly suggested
that President Roosevelt will pass to
the Senate the responsibility for fall
ure to investigate charges that Hugo L.
Black held a life membership in the
Ku Klux Klan when his nomination
to the Supreme Court was confirmed.
Although the President has made
no public comment, observers were
given the impression his viewpoint Is
that the burden Of investigating
Blacks past record rested with the
Senate and not with him r.
1t was learned definitely that Mr..
Roosevelt made no investigation Of
Black before nominating him to the
high court, accepting the Alabaman
at his face value because he was serv-
ing his second term In the Senate.
which, in the eyes Of the President, was
sufficient Endorsement.
Faith in President.
In Clinton, Mass. Senator Walsh,
Democrat, of that State, told the Asso-
ciated Press that ''it should be re-
membered Black was given the large
vote for confirmation that he received
IN the Senate, not 50 much for his
own qualification or his own merit, but
because Democrats had faith In the
President. believed he was entitled to
name one who possessed his own eco
nomic policies and accordingly sup
ported him." Senator Walsh did not
vote on the motion to confirm the
nomination.
1t also was learned that 1t never oc-
Cured to the White House to ask Sen.
ator Black before his appointment II
he was q member Of the Klu Klux
Klan.
It has been the practice Of the
President in making appointments tn
major positions to subject his NOMINEES
to searching investigation. The fact
Senator Black had held responsible
positions in Alabama and had twice
been accepted by the Senate as q
Senator from that State Is understood
to have convinced Mr.. Roosevelt that
Black was In every way 1T for ap.
pointment to the Supreme Court
May Comment Today.
It was ascertained that II Senator
Black had been new Senator the
President might have done some in
vestigating to make sure of his man.
It is expected the President may
have some direct comment on the
question of Blacks alleged af1lliation
with the Klan at his press conference
this afternoon.
When the President announced his
nomination Of Senator Black to the
post vacated by Justice Van Devanter
an effort was made to have the Klan
membership charges Investigated By
the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Leaders of this movement were Sen
ators Copeland, Democrat, Of New
York and Burke, Democrat, Of Ne
braska. The attempt was thwarteo
however, by the combined efforts
administration Senators and Repuh-
licans like Borah Of Idaho, who too.
the position rumors of Blacks Klar
should not be investigate.
unless tangible evidence was produced.
to support the allegation, or some re-
sponsible person was prepared to make
the charge.
Burke offered to produce witnesses
before the committee, but motion to
recommit the nomination was de-
feated.
Urges Statement.
Senator Walsh also told the press
association that Black loves it to the
President. the Senate and the country
to declare publicly whether he Is q
member of the Klan, and if so to de-
clare in unmistakable language his
reputation of the Ku Klux Klan and
its principles"
Any action in connection with the
Black appointment now must come
from the President, Walsh said. He
suggested that Mr.. Roosevelt could ask
an impartial agency to investigate
"the alleged new evidence that Black
is Klansman" and if it were found
to be true, could TASK for his resigna-
ton
Walsh declared it "inconceivable
that the President believed for one
that Senator Black was
member Of the Ku Klux Klan at the
time of the appointment"
Copeland's headquarters In New
York announced that Al Smith, Tam
many sachem, who took the stump
last night in behalf of Copeland's can
didacy for the Democratic and Repub-
lican nominations for Mayor in
primary, would express his
views on the Black matter in a polit-
Ical speech tomorrow night.
Several Senators who voted "non
when the Senate confirmed Blacks
nomination by an overwhelming vota.
agreed that his position as a member
If the Supreme Court was secure.
Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, Re-
publican, of Michigan, suggested the
Senate should reopen the matter OF
Blacks confirmation II "unequivocal
'roof" linked him with the Khan.
Logan dismissed the attack as an
fort to attract New York votes" and
greed with King that membership In
he Klan would not disqualify Black.
Both Pope and Logan expressed belief
Slack is not Klansman. Pope
dded.
Those intimations we're pretty
arefully considered at the time Of
Blacks confirmation. They were dis
ussed on the floor of the Senate and
10 particle Of evidence was produced
o indicate he was member Of tho
[lan."