Leaders of the Ku Klux Klan are now considering the possibilities of a “national anti-Jewish party,” which could nominate a Presidential candidate in the 1948 campaign, who may be ex-Senator Robert R. Reynolds of North Carolina.
Information on the future Ku Klux Klan political program, supported by sworn affidavits, has been obtained by a J.T.A. correspondent from southern Elan sources. While it is unknown whether Reynolds, who several months ago formed the “American Nationalist Party,” has consulted with Elan officials, this much is certain:
1. Joe McWilliams, indicted sedition, is touring the South for Reynolds under the alias of Jack Williams, of Perryton, Texas, and is soliciting funds from non-Jewish businessmen for a new political party. Reynolds, it is also learned, has been smoothing the path for McWilliams by sending certain businessmen and others he regards as potential supporters a letter in advance of McWilliams! call,
The text of the letter, as disclosed June 21 by the Waco (Texas) Times-Herald reads as follows: “I have requested our representative, Mr. Jack Williams, to call on you in the near future for the purpose of discussing with you the matter of the formation of a new political party. I am confident you are interested in such a movement and feel, as I do, that NOW is the time to give the most serious consideration to this matter. This subject has been discussed with prominent people throughout the country. I am sure that you will be interested in hearing what the plans are regarding this new party in 15 Southern Staes. We know that you will be greatly interested for the very particular reason that part of our program directly affects your business, which subject is fully set forth in the enclosed statement, entitled ‘Freedom for Management. I want to assure you, Mr. —. that I shall appreciate any courtesy you may extent to Mr. Williams when he calls on you, at which time I trust you will see him personally.”
2. J.B. Stoner, southern “gauleiter” of the Ku Klux Klan, who is stationed in Chattanooga, recently held a caucus of trusted Klensmen at his home here for purposes of discussing a “national anti-Jewish party” and studying possible candidates for the White House. Aside from Reymolds, candidates discussed by Klansmen for the 1948 campaign include Col. Charles Lindbergh and Senator “Happy” W, Lee O’Daniel, unofficial leader of the “Christian Americans,” one of the best-finance pro-fascist groups in the United States.
3. Klan leaders and “fuehrers” of a number of other fascist organizations in the nation will hold a secret convention this summer in some midwestern city, probably Detroit, to discuss the project of a mass fascist party which would unite all Naziminded elements. Basic units of this group would be community “Christian Action” committees, similar to those set up last year in Indiana by the Rev. J. Walter Gibson, a former Klan lecturer. In addition, it is learned, there would be “storm trooper” gangs to be recruited from the ranks of unemployed ex-servicemen. The affiliation of these gangs with the parent organization, however, would be kept secret.
The J.T.A. correspondent has been informed that a number of the hood-and-shirt agitators favor the name “American Nationalist” for the prospective party, which is the label already in use by Reynolds. They like the term “nationalist” on grounds that that label expresses the Klan’s opposition not only to the Jews but to all “non-Aryan” minorities.
In recent weeks there has been a revival of “fiery crosses” in this section of the South. And here Klansmen have been busy inciting Christians against Jews and white workers agianst Negroes.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
