Death-Knell of Doo-Dad Sounded by Ross Crane

From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, May 4, 1921: The “doo-dad” is the curse of the modern American home,” declared Ross Crane of the Art Institute of Chicago in remarks given at the opening of the Better Homes Institute he is conducting at Tomlinson Hall under the auspices of the Indianapolis Real Estate Board. “We buy doo-dads because doo-dads are ‘the thing;’ we bring home things without use or beauty. When we get rid of the nonessentials, we get the essentials of our lives into working order. If a thing is beautiful, why hide it? If a thing isn’t beautiful, why have it?” he said. “Interior decoration is based on color, form, line, texture, and utility. If the American people would learn beautiful furniture and draperies are always ‘in,’ it would cost less for them to furnish their homes,” Ross asserted.

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“Death-Knell of Doo-Dad Sounded by Ross Crane,” The Indianapolis Star, 4 May 1921, p. 10:5

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