The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-06

feet and declared war. From that day
until now there has been little peace
and solace and comfort in the halls
of the Knights and Ladies of Security
If rumors in Topeka are true. Fac
donal lines were drawn. Old friends
became enemies. The fight for SUI
premacy became daily issue. Kirk
patrick would not evacuate. Even his
own son would not be accepted as a
compromise. 1t was a fight to the
end and Kirkpatrick sent word to the
insurgent wing of the society that no
quarter would be asked and none
would be given. 1t was a fight that
was destined, apparently, to go before
the national council.
Now there are all sorts of rumors
IN Topeka concerning the big fraternal
society row. Maybe some of the ru-
mors are exaggerated. Possibly some
are entirely untrue. Officers of the
| society are inclined to discount the
seriousness of the situation But that
a real fight is brewing in the ranks of
the society is quite certain and ap-
! parent.
| Once the declaration of war was is
sued, the senior Kirkpatrick fortified.
kirkpatrick was a stickler for pre-
paredness. He placed siege guns in all
MS forts and he attacked the enemy
from every angle.
Locks the Doors.
There is story afloat to the effect
~tA@t Lie OF the society
placed locks on the doors of the ma
tional headquarters of the society in
Security hall. Topeka Kirkpatrick
carried the keys himself On his own
doors, 1t is reported that Kirkpatrick
ordered new set of keys. These were
| placed in the bottom of his trousers
pocket and he alone used them
Ihat wasn't all. There is a further
report that President Kirkpatrick shut
the ooor-sometimes locked it. accord
ing to reports-and the door that was
closed was the door that divided the
| offices of father and son. The iunior
Kirkpatrick had been associated with
ms father in the work of the society
for nearly a score of years. But to-
day there is said to be a GOODNESS be-
tween father and son. They speak
But it is the strained relations of two
business associates, the reports from
Security circles indicate.
Then there was another stormy day.
1t IS claimed. 1t was a day when a
contention arose concerning the acL
count of an employee of the society
When an account was paid at a Topeka
bank, it is claimed that the veteran
head of the institution decreed that no
further funds go to that bank fer de-
post
There were other troubles, it seems
Mail Is Censored.
!
fees of the society that the mali
should pass through the offices of the
presidential of it. Now the letters
are received in the office of President
Kirkpatrick They are opened. Such
matter as is desired, it is reported, IS
inspected by the head of the institu-
ton. Then at his suggestion and APP
prevail, it is distributed to the various
| departments to which the affairs Of
! the society are assigned-the secre
tary treasurer, the medical director
and other officers. All of these &C
TONS it is reported fell far short of
bringing peace and harmony to the
divided factions.
Every effort has been made to keep
details of the fight under cover. In
his office, President Kirkpatrick re-
fused to discuss the details of the war
Such action was not expedient, he de-
clared. He was asked direct and point
blank if there was not Il fight between
himself and his son for the presidency
of the society and If he had not been
asked to resign.
Things are not what they ought to
be. That's all I care to say" was his
reply.
That was ALL so far as the dean of
the society was concerned He would
not discuss details He admitted that
the trouble started November 3. last
year. To him it was fight to win
| control of a big. wealthy institution
which he had nurtured from infancy.
The Insurgents Side.
In the offices of the insurgents,
| however, there was quite a dl1rerent
| story Kirkpatrick had done gooo
work in his days. But his days of
| activity were at an end. He should
| step aside. The good of the order de-
manded it. He could not longer mas
ter details, he could no longer direct
the progress of the society and a
n M n
was needed at the helm So son had
been slated to succeed father And the
result was a breach both in the So
ciety and the home.
Recently an election was held by
the Topeka council to choose a dele
gate to attend the district convention
in Topeka April 26. James Kirkpat-
rick, the son, was elected as the dele
gate There is a report that the
senior fitzpatrick picked candidate
to enter the fight against his son. But
the dark horse candidates name was
never brought out for consideration.
The society seemed to favor the cleo
ton of Kirkpatrick Junior and the
veteran warrior had lost the first
| round in his fight to hold control
Now there is a rumor that the con-
vention in Topeka this month may
select kirkpatrick Junior to go to De-
troit. That means the winning of
another fort for the insurgents. Be
cause OF MS OIIlclal position, the SeIiiOI
Kirkpatrick is entitled to a seat in the
Detroit meeting. Yet there is rumor
| that he will not attend-a rumor that
he may give up the fight before the
national council meets.
May Quit the Fight.
kirkpatrick will never attend the
Detroit convention, in my judgment"
said John V. Abrahams, national sec
rotary of the society. ''He will not
make tha fight He will see that he
cannot win and that for the good of
the society and the progress and flu
ture of the institution, he should step
aside and give place to a younger,
more energetic man.