CHAPTER IX
KU KLUX KLAN AND THE MASONS[ToC]
Iowa and Missouri Jurisdiction Grand Masters Issue Public Denunciations Against the Klan.
Promoters of the Ku Klux Klan brag that most of its members are Masons. Whether this is true no one on the outside can tell. It is known, however, that the kleagles or salesmen, who solicit members in a community try to play upon the Masonic spirit to help along their game. That this is done with the disapproval of the leading Masonic bodies of the country is shown by the action of the grand commanders of the Iowa and Missouri jurisdictions. They have issued public denunciations of the operations and purposes of the Klan, especially that feature that resorts to the masking of members when they are taking part in Klan rites. The examples of Iowa and Missouri are being followed by Masons in other states.
IOWA GRAND MASTER'S STATEMENT
Amos N. Alberson of Washington, Iowa, grand master of that state, has directed a communication to all Masonic lodges under his jurisdiction as follows:
"Whereas, It has become known to your grand master that a certain 'Ku Klux Klan' has been and is now organizing within this jurisdiction an alleged 'secret and invisible empire'; and,
"Whereas, It is reported that its organizers and agents have stated and intimated to members of our craft that the said 'Ku Klux Klan' is in effect an adjunct of Freemasonry and in accord with its principles and purposes; and,
"Whereas, Any such statement or intimation is absolutely false and untrue, in that Masonry can not and does not approve of or ally itself with any organization or movement, secret or public, that proposes to subvert or supersede the processes of orderly representative government 'of the people, for the people, and by the people'; nor one that appeals to bigotry and endeavors to foster hatred of any nationality, class, religious faith or sect, as such.