District Clubs Demand Revised Immigration Laws

From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, April 16, 1921: The Seventh District Federation of Clubs adopted a resolution yesterday demanding yearly quotas on the number of immigrants admitted into the United States, “accepting only those essential to our well-being and urges that judicious methods be adopted to assimilate and incorporate the alien into the life of the nation.” The resolution also deplored the publication of 300 foreign language newspapers in the United States, urging legislation looking to having these papers published in the English language. The action followed a talk on “Americanization” by Dr. Virgil Rorer, pastor of Meridian Street Methodist Church, who advocated, in addition to the measures in the resolution, keeping immigrants from the slums and locating them where needed. He also called for the teaching of Americanization. The resolution will be sent to the Marion County Congregational delegation.

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“District Clubs Demand Revised Immigration Laws,” The Indianapolis Star, 16 April 1921, p. 18:4

Ku Klux Klan Leader Admits Active Work in Indianapolis

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, March 31, 1921: Organizers for the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan have been working several weeks in Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Seattle and other cities and towns of the West and Middle Western States, Col. William Simmons, imperial wizard of the Knights, has confirmed. “Ku Klux Klan representatives have been working in these states in response to requests from thousands of patriotic, red-blooded American citizens who desired membership in an organization which stands four square on all questions involving the perpetuation of American ideals and institutions and the heritage bequeathed to us by the founders of this great republic,” Simmons said. Verifying that thousands have been taken into the Klan, the imperial wizard announced, “This proves the Ku Klux Klan is not a sectional organization, but an American institution of and for white American citizens.”

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“Ku Klux Klan Leader Admits Active Work in Indianapolis,’” The Indianapolis Star, 31 March 1921

Women's Police Department Ranks First in Country

From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, March 23, 1921: Miss Clara Burnside, supervisor of the women’s police bureau, has been promoted to the rank of captain of police by the board of public safety. This action places the Indianapolis department at the head of similar organizations in the United States. Only in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA are the woman’s departments under the supervision of a woman. The success of the department is largely due to Miss Burnside’s work. There are now twenty-three members of the department, all of whom have had some training in social work. The women supervise the conduct of those attending public dance halls and many private dances given in halls. They also have been very successful in detecting shoplifters in downtown stores and settling domestic troubles. Arrests are the last steps taken by the women police.

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“Women’s Police Department Ranks First in Country,” The Indianapolis Star, 23 March 1921, p. 10:5