OATH TAKEN IN SECRET

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 7

OATH TAKEN IN SECRET

AMERICAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE COMPLICATED PROBLEM AT WASHINGTON (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 16, 8.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 15. The Washington correspondent of The New York Times says that the problem over Mr Justice Black, who has recently been accused of membership of the Ku Klux Klan, is more complicated than ever by the revelation that he secretly took the oath as an associate justice of the Supreme Court on August 19. Therefore high legal authorities believe that he is already a full-fledged member and is entitled to ascend the Bench without further formality and to participate in all the functions of the Court.

It is pointed out that the action is irregular but legal.

The Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh) recently began the publication of a series of articles charging Mr Justice Black with accepting life membership of the Ku Klux Klan on September 2. 1926. The newspaper alleged that Mr Justice Black had not resigned from the organization, and the articles are claimed to be the official records of the Alabama Klan.

Mr Hiram Evans, Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, denied that Mr Justice Black was at present a member of the organization. Mr Evans also denied the existence of any life memberships in the Klan. The Washington correspondent of The New York Times said it was known that the President (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) was annoyed with Mr Justice Black and when the news about the Ku Klux Klan was first disclosed he "even allowed the thought of asking him to resign to cross his mind.” Formerly Senator Hugo L. Black, Democratic member from Birmingham, Alabama, Mr Justice" Black was appointed by the President to succeed Mr Justice van Devanter on the Supreme Court. He has the support of the Committee for Industrial Organization, the trades union incorporation led by Mr John L. Lewis. His appointment to the Supreme Court was confirmed by the Senate by 63 votes to 16, after hours of bitter debate.

It was in this debate that Mr Justice Black was accused of an affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan, and also of a campaign against Mr Al Smith in the elections of 1928. Even after the confirmation of his appointment several senators were not satisfied with his eligibility, and it was thought possible that the question would be taken to the Supreme Court.