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VOLUME 1, NUMBER 18 “Vigilantes” a la Kerfoot MONUMENTAL FARCE RIVALS THAT OF FAKE TELEGRAM “FROM PRESIDENT” Minnesota Methodists Do Not Stand With The Hamline “U" Prexy in AntUKlan Activities. (BY WINGFOOT) ' That Frank C. Sidoney, secretary of the National Vigilance Association, will have much more “explaining to do in regard to the indiscriminate use of names of business men and college presidents whom that organi zation gave out as members, is seen in the investigation being conducted by The Fiery Cross. All indications now r point to the whole matter being a monumental farce perpetrated on the people and a gigantic hoax foisted upon the newspapers which carried the story and the “list of names al ready in the association." On last Saturday, Secretary Sid oney “admitted an error” in the use of the name of Dr. Robert Aley, presi dent of Butler College. Just now the error occurred is a matter of con jecture for the reason that Dr. Aley has protested the use of his name before it was given out. A state ment by Dr. Aley, following the un authorized use of his name, brings to light the fact that he had written the Vigilance Association two differ ent times declaring that he was not in sympathy with the movement and would not allow his name to be used. Directory Evidently Used Due to the fact that denials of any connection with the Vigilance Asso ciation are coming from every part of the country, it would appear that names were taken at random from a directory, especially in view of the fact, that Aven Nelson, given as pres ident of Wyoming University, retired from that position more than one year ago. Also, he denies, in a tele gram to The Fiery Cross of having “committed the university to any such program" as that laid out by the Vigilance Associatiun, which is formed, according to the newspaper dispatch, to “wage an intensive coun try-wide campaign looking to the disintegration of the Ku Klux Klan and kindred organizations." The story, which came out of Washington, D. C., and which was printed in the daily press in all parts of the country, is fast taking on the appearance of being a part of that systemized effort now being made to convince the public that certain leaders in the business world and the leading educators of the United States are opposed to the Klan. It fits in nicely with that part of the or ganized opposition’s attempt to make it appear that the Klan is “dwin dling." The following telegram in reply to a query by the Fiery Cross*, is illu minative of the tactics employed by the amalgamated enemies of this country, and is from Stephen B* L. Penrose, president of Whitman Col lege, of Walla Walla, Wadi. “Just returned home. I was not an original incorporator of the Na tional Vigilance Association and know nothing of its real purposes. I was notified on October thirty-first by a letter from a man in Washington personally unknown to me that I had been appointed a member of the National Committee of the National Vigilance Association, an organiza tion which I had never heard of be fore. It was described as having for its objects the promotion of patriot ism and regard for law and without suspicion, I accepted the appoint ment but stipulated that I assume no duties or obligations. .Since that time the newspapers have ascribed an anti-Klan motive to Vigilance As sociation. I have written to Wash ington for authentic information. If the organization is anti-Klan I will . withdraw from it." Radio Head Makes Denial David Saroff, head of the Radio Corporation of America, New York and whose name appeared in the list as a member, has declared that he does * not belong. This information wds contained in a telegram to The Fiery Cross. Samuel P. Leeds, pres ident of the Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic City, declares that his name was used without authorization. A telegram from A. S. Newlands, secretary for Mr. Leeds, reads: “Samuel P. Leeds has been in hos pital for three weeks. He is not a ♦ \ * ■ ■ • - se THE VOICE OF MILITANT PROTESTANTISM OF THE NORTHWEST THE CALL °/ Ghe NORTH member of National Vigilance Asso ciation. His name used without per mission or authority." In view of the questionable tac tics used by the alien opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, this information is not surprising. One of the names used was that of John Sherwood Jones of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Information from there is that Mr. Jones is. unknown at Bryn Mawr College as well as at the Bryn Mawr postoffice. Dr. P. L. Campbell, of the Univer sity of Oregon, located at Eugene, and who is named on the “list” by the Vigilance Association, enters a denial. .He says: “Have no knowl edge of my name being connected with National Vigilance Association. Know nothing of organization other than through occasional newspaper paragraphs." Thus does the gigantic hoax thor oughly in keeping with that perpe trated by the alien opposition to the Klan, in gjving a fake message from President Coolidge to the press, grow into volume and once again show to the world the depths to which those persons opposing the Ku Klux Klan will stoop. Rust Rhees, president of Rochester University, one of the “members" of the new organization, in a crypt wire says: “Use of my name by National Vigilance Association is unauthoriz ed.” And yet these men behind the National Vigilance Association, who would have all America believe them to be sincere, use the methods dis played by them in foisting on the newspapers of America, a list that has the very earmarks of having 06en taken from a directory. In the case of President Aley of Butler Col lege, this virtuous association used his name over his protest and after it had received two letters from him declaring that he would not be a member. This organization, one of the heads of the hydra-headed, un-American Unity League, which is sponsored by Joe Roach, assassin, and Pat O’Don nell, jury fixer, is evidently follow ing in the footsteps of its parent or ganization and heralds its existence to the world with a lying list of names of persons, some of whom had never heard of the organization. Be ing a part and parcel of the amalga mated enemies of America, it also follows in the footsteps erf the Knights of Columbus, an organiza tion which, while our late president was still unburied, sent to the press !a fake message from the new presi dent, a message which they after ward “admitted was a mistake." Now comes the Vigilance Association with another fake story and then “admits” the use of Presiden Aley’s name an “error.” Their actions are those of the An cient Hibernians, an organization which serves notice on the governor of Indiana and the President of the United States that it will “use its" own methods" to eliminate the Ku Klux Klan. Possibly the fake list ix a part of their methods. Ellen F. Pendleton, president of Wellesley College, in answer to a telegram from The Fiery Cross, wires: “No authorization given for of name as one of the Incorpora tors of National Vigilance Associa tion." To date only two telegrams have been received in which the senders acknowledge their connection with the National Vigilance Association. One was from a colored professor in Wake Forrest, N. C., and the other from a dignitary of the Roman Cath olic church in St. Paul, Minn. This man took pains to qualify . his con nections as purely one of wishing law and order. Other answers to telegrams declare that some of those listed as “members” have bOen in Europe for months. The amalgamated enemies of America are qow fighting with their backs to the wall as the Klan con tinues to be augmented with sterling “Use of Name Unauthorized" With Backs to Wall “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty" ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1923 redblooded Americans who realize the menace of the alien interests that now cast its shadows across the fair face of our country. The repre hensible tactics used by the oppo sition to the Klan, including slander, lies, faked messages, lyinj* lists, paid propagandists, assault and battery, murder and every other scheme* that can be contrived in the cunning brains of trained plotters, are only reacting in favor of the“ Ku Klux Klan. What explanation can the Na tional Vigilance Association offer to the public for printing a list such as appeared in the daily newspapers? Possibly it feels that none is needed; that these organizations of aliens have so long been faking news and insulting the of Ameri cans that the public will stand'for it and that the men who have been maligned by fake messages and ly ing lists have no recourse butk denial and that these denials will be swal lowed up in the vast amount of news. Founded Upon Deceit The National Vigilance Association has proved to the world that it' is founded on deceit; that it has used the names of prominent men, not only without authorization but under protest Of those men, and that every indication points to the associaion having used a directory from which to get the names of their now punc tured attempt to convince America that the educators of this country are against the Klan. Their entire procedure is that of the crafty alien who for centuries past has been steeped in deceit, schooled in intrigue and drilled in secret and reprehensive plotting. The organization burst into print with a lie and as it has shown no signs of life it will most probably be left to lie where it falls. IC-K-K Whp does John Bull? Whose uncle is Uncle Sam? What makes a piston ring? How much does the milky way? How much is Kenilworth? Who fixes the broken nev'e. ? PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH W. Rothwell, Minister Claremont, Minn., Nov. >24, 1923. I Dr. Samuel F. Kerfoot, President Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn. Dear Doctor: It is with deepest regret that I notice in the Minne apolis Journal of November 13 that you have been named a jnember of a body the purpose of which is to destroy the Ku Klux Klan. Please understand that I hold no brief for the Klan, - but am at a loss to understand why you should be expected to lend your aid to overthrow an organization whose only crime, as far as I can find out is that it is opposed to the political activities of the Roman Catholic church. I am the more surprised when I recall that Cardinal' Daugherty has publicly denounced the work of your own great Church in Italy; and has accused the Methodists of being “revilers and seducers” of innocent Italians.. (See the Protestant of January 23, page 171). That you should be asked to help destroy those who are opposed to the Roman Catholic Church’s stranglehold on our political, educational, and judicial systems is a poor exchange for the “bouquets” already referred to. However, if you are of the opinion that the Klan is unnecessary and that it is guilty of all the things its Roman Catholic “friends”, (?) say about it, perhaps you can sug gest something in its place that can be used to further “law enforcement” which cannot be controlled by the Ro man Catholic Church. I presume it is hardly necessary for me to remind you that the policy of said church, is, and always has been to either “rule or ruin” it is only because it cannot do the former that it desires the latter in the case of the Klan. i wonder what would happen if you were asked to become a member of a committee to see to it that every member of 4he Knights of Columbus was asked to with draw from all the orders named in the article I have already referred to? - v Trusting you will maintain the great traditions of the Meihodist Church by refusing to act on the “National Vigi lance Commitee. I remain, Yours tor fair play, v . * - - W, ROTHWELL. Oregon Klansmen Celebrate TWO SOLID MILES OF MARCHING MEN THRILL VAST CROWDS AEROPLANE I Over 6000 Klansmen were present at the great state demonstration held at Salem, November 10. Of that num ber, 5800 were in full regalia and took part in the spectacular parade with masks down. Several different checks were made by official observers, and the results show that the parade was two miles long. The Klansmen marched four abreast in columns eights feet apart, and th°re were 1450 solid lines of white robed figures in orderly pro cession. The marchers covered a dis tance of over five miles. The parade was led by the Stars and Stripes and the Fiery Cross. Following were two Klansmen on horseback and behind these were ma chines carrying state officers of the Klan and Royal Riders of the Red Robe. Tom Akers, head of the im perial Klan Intelligence Bureau was the official representative of Fred L. Gifford, Grand Dragon for the Realm of Oregon, who was unable to attend on account of illness. The Represen tative of Imperial Regent Royal Riders of the Red Robe, Grand Klaliff Grand Kligrapp and Great Titans for the state, and Exalted Cyclops of local Klans were also in autos. The ma chines were followed by a band, of which there were* three in the entire parade; one from Eugene, one from Albany and the Scotch Kiltie band from Portland. The Royal Riders were given the place of honor in the line of march. Their costumes were electrically il luminated with tiny light bulbs, and their red robes made a spectacular contrast to the''pure white robes of their Klansmen brothers. Following the Riders, the Klanlmen marched four abreast in imposing array. Be hind them, in machines, were the aged Klansmen who were unable to stand the strain of the five-mile line of march. The parade would have been aug mented by several hundred more Klansmen, but these latter were un- S A FEATURE able to secure robes, due to the ex ceptional demand for them earlier in the week. The feature stunt of the evening was revealed just as the parade started to move off. At that time an airplane, flying 1,000 feet over the dome of the state Capitol, was ob served by the crowds below, with a giant Fiery Cross emblazoned on the wings. The plane circled the Capitol building several times, and then started off to follow the entire route of the parade. Then, from an eleva tion of 1,000 feet, the aviator climbed to a distance of 4,000 feet, so that the cross appeared to be standing vertically in the air. - It was at this time that the apparent phenomena of a Fiery Cross high in fhe heavens could be plainly seen from Albany, a Returning to the former elevation, the sign was changed to the words: “Join K. K. K.” and the aviator again circled the city. The two special trains leaving Portland were unable -to acommodate the crowds, and about 50 Klansmen and women were left behind. The Fiery Cross was placed" on the £ront of the first special, when it took on the crowd at Tenth and Washington. The Portland Klansmen paraded from the train at Salem to the state fair grounds. The Klans were well rep resented from every Klavern in the state of Oregon. The entire facilities of the state fair grounds were used by the Klans men and the ladies who attended the meeting. Aproximately **2,500 meals were served at the grounds by the ladies from the combined Protestant churches cf Salem. After the parade, the Klavern was opened in the race track -enclosure by the Grand Klaliff of Oregon. The Klansmen were inside the enclosure, and the grandstand, capable of seat ing 5,000, was comfortably filled by spectators. A 40-foot Fiery Cross was lighted in the race track. The Royal Riders were given special rec ognition, and escorted inside the Klavern to join in the ceremonies. Speeches were delivered by Tom Akers, who talked on behalf of Fred L. Gifford, the Grand Dragon of Ore gon; V. K. “Bearcat" Allisan, Im perial Lecturer; the Patrol Chief of the Royal Riders and J. R. Johnson, Exalted Cyclops of Portland Klan No. 1, who presented the charter to Salem Klan. A large class was initiated by Salem Klan before the parade. The initiation was conducted by C. C. Star, KlEagle of Salem Klan. Star was in charge of, and directly respon sible for the entire demonstration, which was conceded to be the biggest and best ever held on the Pacific coast. The Western American, official Klan paper for the state, was repre sented. One member of the staff car ried a large banner on which were the words “Read the truth about the Klan in The Western American, offi cial paper for the K. K. K., R. R. R. R., and W. O. K. K. K." Major Luther I. Powell, KlEagle for Portland Klan, who was in Salem also, parcipitated in the parade. An important past was played by the Field Marshal of the Salem Klan who, with 100 aides, policed the grounds and cared for the hundreds of machines that were parked near the race track. y' K-K-K BIG PRICE FOR BIBLE Martha Washington's family Bible was sold recently in New York City for $3,700. The Bible was printed in Oxford in 1783 and contains the manuscript record of Lawrence Lewis, George Washington's nephew, and his wife, Eleanor Parke Curtis, Wash ington's adopted daughter, and the births of their eight children K-K-K- An indissoluble union of indestruc tible states, one flag, one country, one destiny.”—Daniel Webster. NO FOREIGN SCHOOLS FOR OKLAHOMA NOW —K-K-K Petitions Start in “Oregon Law” Movement, and Hot Battle is Seen Ahead With Ku Klux Klan and Masons Standing for Amer ican Plan of Education —K-K-K Oklahoma City.—Oklahoma will be the'second state to sound the death kneel to parochial schools within its borders! Petitions under the initiative law already are being drawn up and it is predicted there will be little or no trouble ip obtaining the 42,000 sig natures required here before the pro posed measures can be filed with the Secretary of State. Catholics in Oklahoma can thank Aldrich Blanke, “Czar Jack’s" former right hand man, for starting the move! Indignant over Blake*s activities, intended to force Knights of the Ku Kulx Klan to dispense with their regulation uniforms, Klansmen and Protestants in general are preparing to “hit back” by introducing the measure which will abolish parochial schools in the Sooner State. The measure has ben drawn up by leading attorneys of the Invisible Empire and is said to be “air tight” and will stand all constitutional at tacks made upon it. It provides for the compulsory at tendance at the public schools of all children until they have finished the eighth grade. Admit Klan Can Do It. The power of the Klan in such an initiative petition possibly would be greater than with any proposition that might be advanced by the Invis ible Empire. It iwould not be neces sary to go outside the Empire in Ok lahoma to obtain the required 42,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot and put it to a vote. The bill also would have the back ing of thousands of Protestants, not Klansmen, who are opposed to paro chial schools. A similar petition was launched two years ago, but the plan was not decided upon until too late to cir culate the petitions and collect the required number of signatures to place he question on the ballot. “Beat Minnesota to It,” Cry of Oklahoma While similar school measures have been getting under way in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana for more than a year, it. appears that Oklahoma will beat the others to the honor of being the second state to make public schools paramoun. This step was first accomplished two years ago in Oregon, when the measure was submitted to a vote of the people and adopted by a large majority. The fact that the measure carried at the time that Klansmen were swept into Sffice leads many to be lieve the bill was sponsored by the hooded organization. This has never ben denied by the Klan, although the petitions were circulated under the name of the American Liberty League. As a fact, Masonry led in the Ore gon movement and supports the plan elsewhere, as it will here. As soon as Oklahoma obtains the required number of signatures (and it is predicted that will take less than twq weeks) the bill will be filed with the secretary of state and probably resul in its being voted on not later than next November. “Get busy, Minnesota, or we'll beat you to it!” Oklahoma Klansmen say. K-K-K It was in Czecko-Slovakia. The lights were dim. Suddenly a man came running out of a side street. “What’s the matter?” asker a curi ous policeman. “I am frightened” gasped the run ner. “What frieghtened you?” excitedly. “Just passed a bad Csedtl” $2.00 A YEAR. 6c A COPY OKU. CZAR DEPOSED —K-K-K Ousted As Governor, He Will Carry Fight to U. S. Supreme Court Self Appointed Dictator Declared Incompetent Among Many Other Charges —K-K-K— --(By Staff Correspondent)) Oklahoma City, Okla. —A Glutton for punishment, former Governor Jack Walton, self-appointed czar of Oklahoma, has now signified hi% in tention of taking his fight to retain the governorship of Oklahoma to the Supreme Court of the United States. Ousted by a unanimous vote of the legislature, the arrogant former en gineer still persists in continuing his fight which was lost before it was started. Not for one minute forgetting the dramatic, he, on last Friday engag ed in more theatricals by leaving the senate during the trial after engaging in a lurid speech in which he denounc ed the “unfairness” of the trial. This merely marked another “high spot” in his sensational career both as mayor of Oklahoma City and gover nor of this state. It is expected that his case, if he insists on continuing his hopeless fight, will go before the U. S. court some time next month. Machine Guns Recalled Walton’s worst enemies admit his fine sense of the dramatic. Now that his race is run they recall its high spots—how he won the farmers by his overall campaign, the mammoth bar becue, still unpaid for, the machine guns trained on the court house and the statement credited to the gover nor that “he would tell the people when to go to bed” and that the legis lators “would ride through blood to their bridle bits” if they tried to con vene against his orders. Walton’s career has been merely a series of sensations which died a dis mal death when absolutely no de fense was presented for on the many charges preferred against him. He was found guilty on eleven charges of the sixteen presented by the leg islature. The removal vote stood forty-one to nothing, and npon his re moval as governor of the state, Lieu tenant-Governor Trapp became the state's chief executive. , How the Voting Stood The other votes taken by the legis lature were as follows: That he exceeded his pardon and parole powers. Vote, 41 to 0. That he placed his personal chauf feur on the state health department pay r 011—35 to 6. That he padded the state pay roll —3B to 3. That he prevented the assembling of a grand jury—39 to 1. That he suspended the right of the writ of habeas corpus—4o to 1. That he issued a SIO,OOO deficiency certificate for the state health de partment when no deficiency existed —37 to 4. That he issued a deficiency certifi cate for $4,000 for a state negro or phans’ home in order to provide sal aries for two negro barbers whom he ordered placed on the pay roll of the institution—4o to 1. That he attempted to prevent a special state election to be held Oct. 2—37 to 8. That he excelled the legal limit of election expenses—2B to 13. That he solicited gifts and con tributions for expenses of his office after he was elected —Unanimous. Is Voted Incompetent That he is generally incompetent —36 to 4. The charges on which he was ac quitted were: That he used his official position to obtain personal property and credit —23 to 18. (Lacking the necessary two-thirds majority to convict.) That he received a $60,000 bribe to approve an appropriation for a state business academy—26 to 14. That he refused to permit the ex ecution of the law providing capital punishment—M. to 30. That he illegally named a large number of known criminals and ir responsible persons as state police— -24 to 17. That he illegally named Charles ?. Baskin, a member of the *t*ta legislature, as a district judge—l 2tl 29. ;