The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-02
City Planning Observance of Fire Prevention Week
Justice Black Did
 Join Ku KIux KLdn
Continued from Page D

a result inconsistent with this i1fl- restricted individual right is a me- mace to freedom"
 Speaking very slowly he repeated the last sentence. W
 Then, remarking that mo ordin- ary maneuver executed for political advantage" would justify supreme court justice making a speech such as he was delivering, he cited the events which occurred while he was abroad for 8 vacation.
 Tf, however, that maneuver threatens the existing peace and harmony between religious or racial groups in our country" he said. "the occasion is not an ordinary one. It is extra ordinary.
 intolerance Chasge
 An effort is being made to con- vince the people of America that I am intolerant, and that am pre- judiced against people of the Jew ish and Catholic faiths, and against members of the negro race." refuted by the record he compiled
 Such insinuations, he said, were during his two terms in the Senate. That record, ne declared, shows that l was of that group of liberal senators who have consistently fought for the civil, economic and religious rights of all Americans, without regard to race or creed"
 Included among his friends, Black asserted, are many members of the colored race," while some of my best and most intimate friends" have been Catholics and Jews. His most intimate friend in his early days. he added, was a Jew.
 Admits Joining Klan
 "The institutions of racial and religious intolerance made concern ing me are based on the fact that I joined the Ku Klux Klan about 15 years ago." he said. T did join the Klan. I later resigned. never rejoined. ..
 Before becoming a senator I dropped the Klan. l have had nothing whatever to do with 1t since that time. I abandoned it. ) completely discontinued any asso- ciation with the organization. never resumed 1t and I never intend to do so"
 Black then said that he had never indicated the slightest departure from my Steadfast faith in the un- fettered right of every American to follow his conscience in matters Of religion"
 "No words have ever been spok- en by me, directly or indirectly" he continued, indicating that any na- tive or foreign born person in our free country should or could be re- stricted in his right to worship ac- cording to the dictates of his con- science"
 Scrutiny Of People
 At the close of his address he said:
 T believe the character and co1- duct of every public servant, great and small, should be subject to the constant scrutiny of the people. This must be true If democracy serves Its purpose.
 Tt is in this spirit that I now bid those who have been listening to me good night"
 Blacks speech was another high light in the controversy that has ragged around the supreme court since President Roosevelt proposed last spring to enlarge the supreme court by six justices. On August 12, after his plan had been killed by long and bitter fight in the Senate, President Roosevelt nomin- ated to the court the then Senator Black to take the seat vacated by Justice Willis Van Devanter who had resigned on May 18. It was President Roosevelt's first appoiat- ment to the high bench.
 Charges Cropped Up
 There were immediate charges in the Senate that Black had been or ' was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, which were not denied by Black. The charges first were made in the Judiciary committee and later on the floor in a speech by Senator Royal s. Copeland. How ever, the Senate confirmed his ap- pointment on August IT and two days later Black resigned from the Senate and took the oath as Jus- tice. He then left for Europe.
 On Sept. 13 the Pittsburgh Post- <, Gazette began Q series of articles to show that Black had been a member of the Klan, had res signed, and then had received q Golden passport" making him . life member. The newspaper quoted from Q purported transcript of Q speech Black was said to have made at Q Klan meeting in which he stated his belief in Klau principles
 In London Black refused to see reporters or to make a statement. He sailed secretly for home, arriv. Ing on @ small passenger boat at Norfolk, Va. on Wednesday where he again refused to make any corn- ment on the charges. He said then that he would make his statement in such a way that 1t couldn't be miSquoted.
 That way was last nights speech over one of the largest radio net. works.-comprised of more than 300 set up