NOI Cult Murders p.3 Leader Of Cult To Be Quizzed

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Detroit News, Wednesday Nov 23 1932, page 7
LEADER OF CULT TO BE QUIZZED - Police Seek To Learn if Teachings of Order Figured in 'Sacrificial Slaying.'

Detectives of the homicide squad today were to question W.D. Fard, leader of the Order of Islam, Negro religious society, to determine whether teachings of the organization played a part in the killing by Robert Harris of another Negro in a "sacrificial rite."

Harris, who confessed the slaying, was termed demented by his brother, Edward, 3729 Clinton street, and by Ugan Ali, secretary of the society, when the brother and Ali were questioned Tuesday afternoon by Detective Sergt. Oscar Berry and Detective Charles W. Snyder.

"The society cannot be blamed for anything he did," said Ali after the detectives had visited the Order of Islam Temple at 3406 Hastings street, where they found the secretary, his wife, Lillian, and 25 men in the living quarters off a meeting hall seating 400.
Teachings Explained

"We teach a philosophy similar to the Golden Rule," added Ali, who declared that 9,000 Negroes belonged to the organization, which was established here three years ago and once held its meetings in the Bishop School. "Our fundamental purpose is to uplift our own people," Ali continued.

Members are taught not to eat certain foods, to employ their time usefully, and that by their efforts the world can be rid of evil by 1934, Ali said. Mohammedan names are given to both men and women and the wearing of a fez is permitted.

"Harris had no standing in the order and was not regarded as a leader. Many people avoided him because of the wild things he sometimes said," Ali declared.

Ali was brought to headquarters for questioning after the detectives had been reinforced by the crew of a police cruiser. Before the arrival of reinforcements Ali and his followers refused to permit Berry and Snyder to search the quarters without a warrant.
Worries Blamed

"Worries over money caused my brother to lose his mind," said Edward Harris, also a member of the order. "He has been acting queerly in the last few weeks, preaching a lot and stopping people on the streets. Nobody paid much attention to him."

Mrs. Bertha Harris, wife of the slayer, who was present last Sunday when he killed James J. Smith in the Harris home at 1428 Dubois street, told the detectives she had lived in fear of her husband for some time, and that he often threatened to kill her and the two children, Ruby, 9 years old, and Araby 12.

"He made me watch the clock when he struck Smith with an automobile axle," Mrs. Harris stated. "The children were asleep at the time. He told me if I didn't do as I was ordered he would kill me also."