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Ku Klux Klan Northwest to Fight Un-Americanism « « il « m v'i'Â: Sa- * ff -Ii J :É? ..." S* r - U s.'.&XX r 't. ■■■■ .<*! Side view of King K'Leagle and two of his K'Leagles. Note the difference in the headdresses. By R. B. BERMANN A MYSTERIOUS ride far! into the country, guided only by strange heiroglyphics on tree-trunks along the road side ; a sudden halt in a desert ed spot and a fleeting glimpse of many ghostlike figures, hooded from head to foot; a trip afoot along a rarely trod den trail through a virgin for est, and then— Face to face with the King K'Leagle of the Ku Klux Klan ! It sounds like a page from one of Thomas Dixon's novels, doesn't it ? But it isn't; it's the actual experience of a Seattle news paper man. Because the Ku Klux Klan has been resurrected and has obtained a strong foothold in Seattle. A national organizer arrived in the northwest several weeks ago, but it was only the other day that his presence became public knowledge. And then it was not because of the activ ities of the police or the secret service—but because he let it be known that he wanted pub licity. Seeks Publicity. The Ku Klux Klan seeking publicity! It seems strangely at variance with the accounts of the workings of the order in the far south after the Civil war. But times have changed ; ; the merchant and the banker! have learned the value of ad-1 vertising—so why not the Ku ! Klux Klan? ! Occasional Rewards to Volunteer Firemen Increases Their Efficiency Chief of Harding's Department Urges City Councils to Co-operate With Their Local Boys in Arousing Town Pride in Work of Fire Fighters; in This Way Each City May Build Up Worth While Companies and Size of State Association Will Be Greatly Enlarged. Carl Rankin, chief of the volunteer fire department of Hardin, made an excellent address before the State As sociation of Firemen at Havre on July 2, in which he outlined the best method of arousing more interest in local fire departments and in the state associa tion. He said: "The president of this association has asked me to submit a paper on 'How to Promote Interest in the Asso ciation' and while we have had many interesting and worthy papers and dis cussions on matters that pertain to the association and the various fire. de partments which go to make up this organization, I feel that one big job has been allotted to me. Before pro ceeding with this discussion, I want to take this opportunity to thank our worthy chairman for extending this privilege to me, and I will do my very best to bring to your attention at least some of the things I think vital to pro mote interest. "Interest—Let us analyzed the word. We find that interest means among other things: compensation or to com pensate. That immediately brings to mind the fact that those in the associa t ' 0D ' n or<1 £ r to be interested must be compensated—by which I do not see <A \ Close-up of the cross of the Ku Klux Klan, which appears on the left breast of every clansman's robe. The cross is white, edged with black, set in a red circle ringed with yellow. In the cen ter is a white square, edged with black, in the center of which appears a red crescent. In any event, the King K' Leagle—or state commander —sent word to a Seattle re porter that he would like to see him—that he would grant him an exclusive interview if he would agree to follow direc tions implicitly and not try to discover the identity of any of the clansmen. Such an invitation, of course, essarily mean to be really paid in so many dollars and cents for their labors, while of course that is one of the ele ments which enter into the matter but one can receive compensation by way of learning, by way of experience, and by practice and in doing the things which constitute the labors of our members in their respective depart ments which go far to policy the mind, strengthen our bodies and to make us healthy—which is our compensation, interest Means Responsibility. "Let us look further—interest. We find it to be a participation in a thing: an advantage we may gain; profit and responsibility; concern; to be con cerned in anything. Thus it seems that our members of the association must be participators, must be doers—must be in the thing, take part, do their ■hare. "To be concerned in all of the vari ous phases of the labors as members of a fire department, one must be con cerned about the other—that is to say, on© member must be interested in ev ery other member, in his welfare, his ambitions and desires. To be con cerned in the welfare of his employer, his employer's desires, and needs. This interest is also expressed by the word was not to be ignored—and, in j due space, a "Mr. Smith" called ! on the reporter. "You wish to see the King K'Leagle ?" he asked—"Then come with me. An automobile was waiting in front. "Smith" climbed in with the driver, the reporter got in the rear seat, and, with out a 1 word from anyone, the machine darted off. Taken Into Country. The car went through the city and then took the highway to Tacoma. Possibly ten miles past the city limits it branched off on a side road, and, after following that for another five miles, turned into a lane. Here the mysterious guide stopped the car, alighted and tore a piece of cardboard off a tree. On it was an eccentric ! looking arrow, which "Smith" j studied for a moment and then told the driver to go on. A hundred yards farther the maneuver was repeated, and again and again until nine signs had been removed. Then "Smith" alighted again and ut tered a peculiar cry. From the depths of the heavy woods the signal was echoed and, by straining his eyes, the reporter caught sight of a row of spec ter-like figures that rose and dropped as he watched. That satisfied the guide and, telling the newspaper man to alight, he ordered the chauffeur to drive on and return in forty minutes. Then, with a curt "Follow me—and watch your feet," he plunged into the dense thicket. responsibility. That, my friends, is the big thing. We cannot have interest without responsibility. They go hand in hand. A member who has responsi bility—I mean a member of any fire department—and naturally every mem ber has his share of responsibility—is interested in what he is doing, in his particular job or his chief would not have him there. So also we take the example of the association, it being made up of the various units of de partments of the state, must, as a unit, be interested, must be concerned, must have responsibility. A Big Problem. "So, my friends, having given an analysis of the word 'interest' we now come to the application, to the promo tion of this feature so far as it affects our association. I want to say now, before proceeding, that this is a mighty big problem. It is the same problem that the world has been endeavoring to work out for ages. The same problem that every government, every nation, every organization, every corporation, every company, and every department of all of those above named organiza tions has -to deal with every day, and •?ery yea& .... THE KU KLUX KLAN is organizing in Montana. It is said that there is already an organizer in Butte and one has been reportd as having visited Lewistown. No names have been made public in con nection with the organization but an organizer who is visiting in Butte has distributed literature regarding the society. Thfe prospec tus of the lodge or fraternity states that it is the "original, genuine Ku Klux Klan organized in the year 1866 and active during the re construction period of American history.; and by and under its cor porate name is revived, reconstructed, remodeled, refined and expand ed into a fraternal, patriotic, ritualistic society under the laws of the state of Georgia in the years of 1915 and 1916, for the same spiritual purpose as it originally had and more particularly as set forth in article II. of the constitution and laws of the society. The A. B. C. of the order it is said is: A—America first in thought, in affections and first in galaxy of nations. The Stars and Stripes forever above all nations and every kind of government in the whole world. B—Benevolence in thought, word and deed, based on justice, and practicably applied to all. To right the wrong; to succor the weak and unfortunate to help worthy and to relieve the distressed. C —Clanishness; Real fraternity practing to each other in all things honorable: Encouraging, protecting, cultivating and exemplifying the real fraternal human relationship to shield and enhance each other's happiness and welfare. A devoted, unfailing loyalty to the principles, mission and purposes of the order in promoting the highest and best interest of the community, state and nation. The eligibility requirements are given as follows: "Only native born American citizens who believe in the tenets of the Christian religion and owe no allegiance of any decree or nature to any foreign nation or government, nation, political institution, sect, people or person, are eligible. It is stated that an initiation fee of $10 is required. A recruit to whom King K'Leagle is administering the oath of the order. The K'Leagle standing at the King K'Leagle's left is assisting In the cere mony. It was a tortuous route and it seemed as if it would never come to an end—although, as a matter of fact, it was scarce ly more than a hundred yards. Finally "Smith" stopped and waited for the reporter to catch up with him. As the lat ter advanced there arose from a dell a few feet in front of him an awesome figure. Peered Through Helmet. His eyes, peering through slits in his long white mask, and his ungloved hands, emerg ing from a flowing white cape, were äll that marked the stranger as human. Upon his head was a tall white helmet, in which a crowned eagle and the name of the state were em broidered, and from which a white hood dropped both be fore and behind. He w r ore a "How are we to promote this inter est, this concern, this responsibility? Let us take as an illustration, one of our well known corporations which em ploys thousands of men and whose fac tory is in the United States but whose field of distribution and sale is the en tire world. Here we find a company of men. or we will say stockholders, who started the business by putting their money into it together with their undivided time and attention. They went out and hired superintendents and they in turn hired foremen, and all no doubt took a hand in hiring the thousands of men in the factory to do the real manual labor. Great Interest Aroused. "We find further that the thing man ufactured is saleable, that profits come readily to the company. The stock holders naturally are interested for they receive a good return on their in vestment We find also that the su perintendents and foremen of the va rious departments have received an in crease in wages, the men are better paid, better working conditions are provided, and as time goes on the com pany finds that production has in creased and also their profits. What further do we find? Men making ap plication for work with the company and we find a waiting list Why then all of this Interest this concern? Go a step further and we find that the men are given a chance to purchase stock in the company and to be paid for by installments and a participation in the profits. Now what has been happening all of this time to the men, t® the company and all en ; white robe reaching to the I ground, its ghostly color re ! lieved only by a few strange ! symbols around the hem, a : purple cord girdle—and the I flaming cross of the Ku Klux Klan on his left breast. Over the robe was a white cape, edged with red and lined with yellow. In his hand he held a large silk American flag. The strange figure stood silent for a moment. Then, in the lazy drawl of the southern er, he started to talk. "I am the King K'Leagle of the Ku Klux Klan in this state," he explained. "I regret that that is the only introduc tion I can make—but you will understand. Correct Erroneous Reports. "I have sent for you because erroneous reports are being gaged in conducting the affairs of it? It has been the upbuilding of interest, concern, responsibility. "So now we will apply this illustra tion to our association. The associa tion being the company, the superin tendents and foremen our fire chieTs, and the men at the machines the mem bers of our various fire departments. A fire department is needed for a town or city. That is the company. A chief is selected, the men are hired who are deemed competent to do the work. Fires that are continuously destroying property are extinguished or put under control by the department. Men Should Be Rewarded. "Particular good work is performed by one or more of the men or the chief. What should happen? These men should be rewarded for their valor, their courage, their labors. Perhaps this reward does come to them most of the time in some form. It of course, should come every time to promote in terest. When a vacancy occurs in the department chance for advancement comes. Who gets the coveted place? The interested member, the man who is deeply concerned in his daily labors. Certainly he does. "After the men have all done their part as the members of a certain com pany, what happens then? The chief goes before the council or the govern ing body of the city or town and tells of a few comforts and conveniences that would be very acceptable to the men. What happens then? The coun cil grants it. We find then that the chief is more interested, he has ob tained something for his men; his men * Reporter interviewing the King K 'Leagle of the Kh Klux Klan. King K'Leagle is holding American flag. spread about the Klan —and I want them corrected. If you quote me properly you will find it to your advantage—if not—" he let a piercing look from his pale blue eyes give a sinister finish to the sentence. "The radical element is afraid of us," he continued. "So they are spreading false stories about us. They say we have recruited our ranks from the gutter; that we are out laws and degenerates. "This is absolutely false. None but the best can attain to our ranks—and our desire is to uphold the law. "But, mind you, it's not only the man-made law that we seek to uphold. There are di vine laws no less inviolable— and, where there is no legal statute to enforce these, we undertake to do it. "No class need fear us—as a class. But evil-doers, no mat ter what their station, will do well to beware. The Ku Klux Klan today has a longer arm than ever before—and God pity the man who goes con trary to its wishes." Has Body Guard. As the King K'Leagle talked he was joined by other figures, similarly hooded, but not so richly. They clustered around him, forming a formidable body guard. "The present scope of the Klan," their leader went on to explain, "is far broader than ever before. When it was or iginally organized it had only one purpose — the eradication of the menace of the white race are more interested and concerned about their work for the small favors granted. "What else do we find in this con nection? The city council becomes more interested because these reason able requests are made of them and they visit the men aud talk with the chief. They go further than that. They advertise their town and city by the efficient fire department, their efficient chief and the fame of the department goes beyond the limits of the city, and neighboring towns and cities hear of it. The home people are interested. They like to mention the fact that our town has a crack department a fine bunch of men who risk their lives at all times for the safety of life and property. Start Interest at Home. "So my friends how to promote in terest in the association is the same process. Only one must start at the bottom and work up to it, that is, start your interest at home in your home town in the department with the right kind of rewards, properly, promptly and just made. Create the interest and concern at home first also with your council and governing body. Then you come to the convention, that event oc curring anniially some place in the state. Here are assembled delegates from the various departments. Here are discussed many matters of vital in terest to all member departments of the association, much good is done, many new things are learned, varied experiences are related, much good ad vice is given, interesting lectures heard, general sociability and brotherli n«3s im indulged i% You rub shoulderb A K'Leagle—next in importance to the King K'Leagle—performing one of the mystic ceremonies of the order. which had arisen in the south after the Civil war. "But as the Klan has grown, so have its aims grown. A na tionwide organization cannot have the same goal as a purely local one. It would be absurd to organize a Klan to fight the negro question in Seattle— when Seattle has no negro question. But there are other problems, no less grave, with which the Klan can cope. The radical menace here, for in stance. with your fellow man, your associate who is rendering a service to his town, his city and community. "Now the question of promoting in terest in the association to the end that all towns and cities of the state join in the activities of the association. Unfortunately interest is lacking in some places. Many towns are' not rep resented. Why then this lack of inter est? To my mind that answer is an easy one—it is a case of pure lack of interest in the home town and in the home town fire department; in the home twon council and governing body. There you have the seat of trouble. Necessary Work Suggested. "Now how to get at it Go to these towns with a competent representative of the association once a year, twice a year if necessary—but go there. Talk with the men, the chief, the council, the towns people—offer suggestions, get their views, get them out of the rut, put new life and pep into them which can easily be done by any inter ested man who is a member of the as sociation. Some, it is admitted, would be better qualified. '"So in closing, I respectfully offer this recommendation to the association here assembled. Plan on this idea; put it to a trial. If it is found that this can be done through the state fire mar shal's office, then start there. I real ise, of course, that there is an item of expense attached to this plan, but I feel that a competent committee can work this out in due time. In order to perhaps <^t down the item of ex pense, select" a known efficient man "So each locafl Klan is given full authority to take such ac tion as it may deem necessary to remedy local conditions. This is a broad authority—but the Klan is made up of men who can be trusted. 1,000 Members in Seattle. "We already have a thousand members in Seattle and we are organizing hundreds of Klans throughout the state. The Ku Klux Klan has come to stay— as a champion of the right and an opponent of wrong. "Within six months we will hold a downtown parade in Seattle, with at least a thou sand clansmen in line—each carrying the fiery cross of the order. After that I don't think you'll have any throuble with the radicals out here. I don't think we'll have to act—just a look will be enough. But"— and here the voice lost its lazy drawl as it sank to a sinister whisper—"we can act if nec essary." He permitted one of his K' Leagles to take some pictures and turn the plates over to the reporter. Then, with a wave of his hand, he signified that the interview was over. A moment lateu when the reporter, walking back to the lane, looked over his shoulder, not a clansman was in sight. Within an hour the reporter was back in his office. From his swivel chair the whole ex perience seemed like nothing more than a grotesque dream —but there were the photo graphic plates to prove that it wasn't. from some neighboring town or city to make the icspection or visit—call for volunteers and put the boys to work on a job that I feel would be interesting and the benefits derived I feel sure would warrant the efforts. Let us all keep this in mind. Put our shoulder to the \vheel and get them all into the as sociation." Kiev's Population Reduced to 100,000 Conditions Deplorable Af^rv, rSa r* Juîj ", ^(Correspondence of The Associated Press).—Conditions in Kiev, m the Ukraine, are reported worse than at any time since th e trou oles of Russia began. AVord reached Warsaw recently that the population of the citv fiad "dwin dled to something like 100,000 per sons, whereas at the beginning of the war there were approximately 700,000 inhabitants. 4 Travelers who have crossed the fron tier within the last few weeks, most of them under difficult circumstances, as sert that the bolshevik authorities are again in complete control of the city. At intervals during the spring there were times when the insurrectionists held the upper hand. In many villages in the Ukraine the peasants are reported to have organ ised and driven the soviets out and the peasants are reported endeavoring to strengthen their anti-bolshevik organi sations to prevent interference with their farms and villages. Travelers say only a few stores are open in Kiev, one of these being a flor ist's shop. Tin guards with holes through their centers are slipped over Bhip hawsers to prevent rats from reaching shor« from the phip.» V 1? .