Enclosed you will find an article which appeared this morning in the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, and which, in one form or another, doubtless appeared in other papers throughout the Carolinas and Virginia.

The article is self-explanatory. Of course, officers and members of the Columbian Union will be gratified to know that such fly-by-night schemers as are behind the organization in question are shown up by the governor of North Carolina; but they will also see in the publication of the governor's letter and his attack upon the Loyal Order of Klansmen an injury, to some extent, to the Columbian Union. For in the popular mind throughout these states for months to come, there will be associated this wild-cat scheme with everything which suggests to their minds The Ku Klux Klan.

For this reason, and while it is still fresh in their minds, I respectfully suggest that you communicate with Governor Bickett (preferably by long distance telephone) and have him send out through the Associated Press and other news agencies, announcement to the effect that the Loyal Order of Klansmen is in no way connected with the Columbian Union, or the Klansmen of the Columbian Union, and that the Columbian Union is an organization composed of the highest type of American citizens, dedicated to the loftiest patriotism and commemorative of those noblemen of the old south, the original Ku Klux Klan. That the Columbian Union is in no sense a commercial organization and that there is no stock or lands or bonds of the organization for sale.

If this is treated aright, I believe we can make a boomerang of this seemingly hurtful publicity, by taking advantage of the means thereby accorded, of legitamite publicity, and of showing forth this organization as one at once worthy and commendable and one to which are affiliated the highest and most earnestly patriotic citizens of the country.

Pardon my addressing you direct in this manner, but it seems to me the immediate need for action warrants it. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you personally when I come to North Carolina about the middle of next month.