Klan Barred from Sesquicentennial Celebration

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The Ku Klux Klan will not be allowed to participate in the Sesqui-Centennial celebration. As an organization it will not be permitted to parade, with or without hoods and gowns, and its members will not be admitted to the Exposition in a body.

This announcement was issued yesterday from Mayor Kendrick’s office by E. L. Austin, Director General of the Exposition, after he had called on the Mayor.

The cancellation of the Klan’s program came shortly after a protest against it had been made by Rabbi Louis Wolsey, of Temple Keneseth Israel, and President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Other persons and organizations are believed to have protested.

The Klan was scheduled to have a parade and other events through the city and at the Sesqui grounds on September 9, 10 and 11. All these events have been cancelled.

Drastic action in absolutely banning the Klan from assembling or parading in Philadelphia was taken by the Directors of the Exposition after the conclusion had been reached that such gatherings in the midst of national observance of the Declaration of Independence would be out of place.

Paul M. Winter, the Kleagle in charge of the Philadelphia Klan, expressed amazement at Mayor Kendrick’s statement.

“They’ll pay in the long run, all right,” he stated, declining to say whom he meant by “they.”

One consequence of the ruling against the Klan demonstration may be the removal of minor officials responsible for giving the Klan a place on the program without the advice or consent of the Mayor or Mr. Austin, who was made Director General of the Exposition.

Directors of the exposition voted yesterday 38 to 1, to open the Sesqui-Centennial on Sundays. Bishop Berry, member of the committee on programs, sent his resignation to the Mayor and returned his pass to the exposition.

Court action on the Sunday opening question was threatened by other Philadelphia ministers.