Ku Klux Klan Protests Street Loafers, Aug. 1, 1922

Ku Klux Klan Protests Against Street Loafers. . . Pronounces It a Detriment to Business; Inconvenient and Insulting to Lady Shoppers

The following open letter to civil authorities regarding congestion on streets in front of stores, has been issued by the Winston-Salem Ku Klux Klan:

Winston-Salem, N.C.

August 1, 1922

To the board of aldermen and police department of Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Gentlemen:

It has been very forcefully brought to the attention of this organization during the past few weeks that there are conditions in our community and city that should be remedied.

It is our purpose to direct the attention of the proper authorities both of the city and county to such conditions, in an effort to assist in correcting them.

A citizen coming into the heart of the city in the business district during the late afternoon hours on Saturday, and between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. cannot fail to notice the congested conditions at the entrances of the various stores, particularly those in which young ladies and girls are employed. In the first place this is a bad situation for the merchants. It causes ladies, who are forced to do a part of their shopping late Saturdays, to push their way thru crowds that to say the least are annoying. It has been noticed that ladies pushing go-carts and carriages along the sidewalks have been forced to take to the streets, which is dangerous.

During the hours mentioned, large crowds of men and boys who evidently have nothing better to do than loiter about the front of the stores and have been known to make very discourteous remarks concerning the ladies. This is entirely wrong. If these people have nothing at their homes to claim their attention they certainly should not be permitted to annoy other people, who are going about their business in a legitimate manner.

When closing hours come, there seems to be a regular scramble on the part of the men and boys to see who may be the lucky one to accompany a young lady home after the closing hours at the store; she should wait in the store for her in a courteous manner, and leave the store with her in the proper way.

Numbers of these girls are of a tender age, and some are forced thru circumstances to add their earnings to the income of their families. Even tho this is so, they should not be exposed to the rough, disagreeable and disgraceful remarks made in their presence by certain males who have no idea of the consideration or respect due womanhood.

In view of the above conditions and any other attendant circumstances thereto:

Be It Resolved: That the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Winston-Salem, thru the medium of the press, direct the attention of the authorities of this city to the conditions outlined in the foregoing letter.

Be if further resolved: that this letter be read into and made part of the minutes of this organization.

Signed—Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Winston-Salem Klan No. 1, Realm of North Carolina

“Here yesterday,

Here today,

Here Forever.”

From the Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, Aug. 1, 1922. Below are pictures from the Web of old-fashioned baby carriages and go-karts that mothers might have used when taking children child for a walk in town.