Evening star., 1937-09-30

ANuHSWBTeu.
Ry the Associated Press.
Associate Justice Hugo L. Blac'-
President Roosevelt's appointee to t.
Supreme Court, will speak to the Ma
ton over the radio tomorrow night
presumably to reply to allegations that
he is a member of the Kp Klux Klan.
National Broadcasting Co. officials
here announced that Black, who re-
turned yesterday from a European
vacation. would make his address over
Nationwide radio facilities from 9:30
to 10 pm.
Later it was announced that the
address also would be carried over the
Columbia Broadcasting System and
the Mutual Broadcasting Co. network.
On his arrival in Norfolk yesterday
the justice told twoscore newsmen
that whenever he had any state
ment to make on the Klan charges
he would make it in a way that
cannot be misquoted and so the Ma
ton can hear it."
Whether Black consulted with the
President before making up his mind
to give his side of the case over the
air could not be learned, but few
observers believed it likely that he
had made his decision without presi-
Dental knowledge of his intentions.
Staying Near Alexandria.
The newly named jurist and his
wife spent last night at the home OF
Mrs. Blacks brother-in-law and sis
ter, Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford Durr, near
Alexandria, Va.
This morning Black was up early
and left the residence. Friends in
dicated he might visit his Office in
the Supreme Court Building during
the day.
There appeared to be no question
that the justice would take his seat
on the bench Monday when the court
resumes after a Summer recess.
The announcement that Black
would speak over the radio was made
by Kenneth H. Berkley, general man
ager of the Washington offices of the
broadcasting company after the latter
had talked with Durr, an R. F. c.
attorney.
The place from which the justice
will speak has not been decided
Berkley said. 1t may be the broad
casting studio, his home, hotel or
his Office.
Silent on Klan Affiliations.
On his arrival yesterday. Black
| a rnaC f7a
ton as to whether he was or
had been a member of the Klan.
The charges against him have been,
first, that he joined the Klan several
years ago and was elected to the Sen-
ate from Alabama in 1925 with Klan
aid, and second, that he had been
given life membership in the organi-
cation.
The Klan issue has figured in the
argument over Blacks appointment
almost ever since President Roosevelt
nominated him August II. Five days
later. before the Senate confirmed the
nomination, the issue was raised in
debate by Senator Copeland, Demo-
crat. of New York
After the new justice and his wife
sailed for their European vacation
August 25, the Pittsburgh PoSt-Ga-
zette and other newspapers brought
up the life membership charge. SEN
ator Copeland demanded that Black
resign. The Klan's imperial wizard
Hiram w. Evans, said Black ''is not
now" Klansman.
Until yesterday the slow-speakine
Alabaman, President Roosevelt's first
appointee to the court, had declined
any public discussion of the contrc-
versy.
| Suit Pending.
A suit seeking to unseat Black has
been filed in the Supreme Court b.
Albert Levitt, former Federal judge
in the Virgin Islands. 1t contends
that he voted to increase the "emol-
uments of the office" by supporting a
bill giving retired justices full pay
and that therefore the Constitution
prohibits him from accepting the
post.
Black appeared in good health and
the best of spirits after he landed.
He and his wife and a party of
friends had luncheon in a Richmond
hotel, and then drove leisurely to
Alexandria.
Mrs. Durr said the couple would re-
main at her home for several weeks
while Mrs. Black is house hunting
The Justices Washington home has
been rented.
Mrs. Black was described as quite
weary and in need of rest after her
trip abroad.
On their arrival at the Durr home
her husband joked with reporters.
telling them he had no intention of
going into hiding.
His principal concern appeared to
be getting enough Virginia ham. He
had eaten ham and eggs for break
fast on shipboard and had ham again
for luncheon.
''I'll eat it for dinner" Black
laughed, "and for breakfast if I car
get it,
"One egg and one strip of bacon
is all you can have for breakfast"
his hostess responded as the entire
group entered the house.