Evening star., 1937-10-02
Glass, Unchanged
in View, Still Says
He's "Unfit.''
LEWIS Halls
RADIO SPEECH
Roosevelt, Driving
Tacoma. Unable
to Listen In.

Comment following Supreme Court
Justice Blacks discussion of allega-
tions concerning his connection with
the Ku Klux Klan. last night. makes
1t apparent that the final good night
In his radio address did not end one of
the most sensational controversies
ever to stir the Nation.
BY and large, comment was dis
tinctly favorable toward the tone and
content of the Alabaman's address.
From many come the opinion that
debate of the issue should be ended;
but from others came the view, usually
worded in such way as not to seem
entirely personal, that seat on the
Supreme Court bench demands a
more unassailable background than
Is within reach of any individual who
has been connected with an organiza-
tion founded in intolerance and
group hatreds.
Sentiment sounded following the
address runs the scale of public and
private, lay and professional opinion.
with the only conspicuous absence
being that Of President Roosevelt,
who was unable to hear the Ala
baman's answer to his accuSers. Driv-
Ing from Olympia to Tacoma, Wash,
the President did not have radio
available at the time Black was on
the air.
Glass View UNCHANGED.
Senator Glass, Democrat, of vir-
einia, There is no comment to
make. He admits he was a member
OF the Klan, but disavows the things
the Klan was understood to advocate.
Il voted against confirmation of
Senator Black regardless of the charges
that undertook to connect him with
the Klan. l didn't think the appoint
ment was fit one, and l don't think
20 now. He said nothing that changed
my conception of what should be the
type of person appointed to the Su-
preme Court"
Fellow justices of the Supreme
Court had no comment on the un-
usual address.
John L. Lewis, labor leader, lauded
the speech as powerful and
straightforward statement" 1T de-
lines the creed of all Americans, as
well as that of Justice Black"
Senator Borah, Republican. of
Idaho, said nothing is to be gained by
the discussion" of Justice Blacks
one-time membership in the Ku Klux
klan. and he expressed the hope "the
subject will be dropped"
Nothing to Be Gained.
Justice Black stated the matter of
his relationship with the Klan as
understood it to be when 1 spoke on
the subject in the Senate.
II understood he had been a men,
Der Of the Klan, but had not been a
member since about IL years.
Justice Black will take his seat as
. member of the Supreme Court on
Monday.
Nothing is to be gained by a con-
tinuation of the discussion.
Il hope the subject of the Khan will
be dropped"
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, of
Montana, leader of the anti-court bill
Tight, said: II think the speech was
fine explanation"
While he didn't repudiate the
klan, I think he satisfied the people
generally. 1 am sure he will do his
{ utmost to decide matters that come
before him fairly and conscientiously. -
DR.. Hiram Evans, imperial wizard
OF the Ku Klux Klan, said after listen
ing to the address: He has a judicial
mind-hell make great Judge on
the BENCH
Calls Speech VERY Sincere"
DR.. Evans, in a statement at At
lanta, Ga, said the Justices chrono-
logy of events in his life was "as
thought they were I've been irving
to tell folks that card membership
didn't mean q thing"
Il thought it was a very sincere
speech. His concept of religious anc
political freedom is sound Ameri.
canism. What he said about the race.
Is sound too"
The imperial wizard Of the hooded
order declared purported copies of 8
life membership card given Black al
a meeting in Alabama bore the desig-
nation of Realm of Alabama" making
1t State affair"
Evans termed the card a Courtesy
caro- which was given by friends
and said it holds mo official status ii
the Klan' because there is no provi.
SION for such membership in tn.
tSee COMMENT, Page ABB