Great Falls tribune., July 24, 1921, Page 3, Image 17

About Great Falls tribune. (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

Ku Klux Klan
Northwest to Fight Un-Americanism
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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? .