Evening star., 1937-10-02
Justice Blacks Defense.


The country last night heard Asso-
eiate Justice Hugo L. Black of the Su-
preme Court defend himself against the
charge that he has been member of the
ku KluX Klan. For the first time since
his nomination to the court he publicly
admitted that he joined the Khan. At
the same time he declared he was no
longer a member of the hooded organi-
zatlon; that he had left it before he
became Senator eleven years ago. His
statement leaves some doubt as to how
long he was a member of the Klan. It
seems 10 indicate that his membership
ran for three or four years. The card of
life membership which was given him
soon after his nomination for the Senate
he did not consider, he said. as betoken-
Ing membership of any kind in the Klan.
Justice Black said that before becom-
Ing Senator I dropped the Klan.
have had nothing to do with it since that
time. I abandoned it. l completely dis
continued any association with the or
eanization. have never resumed it and
never expect to do So So Justice Black
disposes of any charge that he has been
sfhliated with the Klan in recent years.
His indiscretion, it is to be inferred, was
little one and long past
ITnOp bis rapnrI T,,e.,aa
Black places reliance for refutation of
any charge that he has ever been in
tolerant or prejudiced against Jews and
Catholics and Negroes. AT no meet
ing" he said, "of any organiza ton.
social, political or fraternal' (Which
must include the Klan) have 1
ever indicated the slightest departure
from my steadfast faith in the unfet-
tered right of every American to follow
his conscience in matters of religion"
The Ku Klux Klan-as it was re-
vived and blossomed in the 20s-was a
bigoted, intolerant organization. AS
such it was rated. 1t was such an or
ganization that Justice Black joined.
With its political backing he became a
Senator of the United States. Before he
became a Senator he resigned his Klan
membership. To the layman this might
mean that the Klan had served its pur-
pose.
sJustice Black said nothing at all about
his reasons for Joining the Klan. He
did not give his reasons for resigning.
The country is still as much in the dark
as ever regarding these points. 1t knows
that he subscribed to the Klan and wha t
1t stood for fifteen years ago when he
was a mature man. 1t knows that he
now says he changed his mind.
Justice Blacks statement regarding
his Klan connection comes late. He
would be in better case today had he
made it at the time his nomination to
the court was before his fellow Sena-
tors for confirmation. The charge was
made on the floor of the Senate that he
@ldu DtSI d hldllSflidIl. fouL JuStlHe
Black remained silent. 1t is a statement
he might have made later when first the
records of the Klan were published
showing that he had been a member.
II is true he was in Europe and pre-
ferred TO await his return to this coln-
try. But during the three weeks that
have intervened the issue which he now
claims was designed 10 stir up war be-
tween religious and racial groups in this
country has been allowed TO grow to
large dimensions.
AT last Justice Blacks statement has
been made. The country will Judge for
itself. His profession of faith in reli-
gious, racial and political tolerance and
freedom is admirable 1t is a creed that
all Americans should follow. If he told
the country that those who have op-
posed his appointment 10 the court gave
birth to planned and concerted cam
paign" which fans the flames oi
prejudice" at least he did it in re-
strained language. If he admitted that
he dropped the Klsn like cold potato
that will be regarded by some as truly
admirable, and by others as not so adj
mirable. Justice Black has perhap.
made the best OF bad situation.
The newly appointed member of the
Supreme Court admitted that it j.
against all precedent for any member oi
the court to discuss political issues. Hi
justified his course on the ground tina,
he acted TO prevent the projection OF
religious issues into political campaign.
and into the business and social life oi
the country. The fact of the matter
however. was that Justice Black hac
permitted a situation TO arise in which
the country practically demanded &
statement from him.
On Monday Justice Black will TAKE
his place on the bench. There arr
other prejudices besides those having t.
do with religion and race, and thos,
who have watched his career in tn,
Senate are not entirely convinced tha