The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-07

Fulton, Chicago; members of the ex-
ecutive committee; w. T. Dutton,
Erie, Kansas; j. H. Carmody, Chi
cago; DR.. o. L. Peak, Springfield, Mo,
and A. T. Saunders, Denver, mem
bers of the board of trustees. Those
are some of them.
It's the whole bunch-all the Of
f1cers, except Dr. E. S. Pettyjohn, To-
peka, medical director; W. M. Forbes,
Topeka, treasurer; and H. f. Songer,
Pueblo, Colo, a member of the board
OF trustees. Those are my friends.
But the old man is ready for fight and
don't forget it. 1 never did run and
don't expect to now
Would Kirkpatrick make an active
fight for reelection?
Il never have asked anyone to vote
for me nor have 1 been a candidate at
any stage of the game. But if this is
right for the control of the society,
L Will be right Herewith bells on
That was the ultimatum which the
aged mead of the society laid down to
the men who are supporting his son
for the presidency.
The alignment means that eyerv
man high in the offices of the ma
t1onal society of the Knights & Ladies
OF Security will be dragged into the
controversy if the battle is permitted
TO go before the national council in
Detroit 1t means that men prominent
IN business affairs in Topeka and in
olhef cities viii be forced into the
ilmel1ght and that the contest will at
tract nation wide attention in fratarns1
circles u lisa
To Rule or Ruin.
=. II tight to run the society,"
Iight or rule or ruin" declared Presi-
cent kirkpatrick in his discussion of
the controversy. Il mean lust what T
say l mean that it is a fight to win
control of the society and fight FOR.
purely selfish purposes
1hsurgent leaders in the battle tn
oepose President Kirkpatrick showed
q decided disposition to discount the
Importance of the controversy If mac
a political fight within the ranks Of
the society, they asserted, and NOT a
matter IN which the public was inter-
eSted or concerned. Neither Secretar 1,
Abrahams nor James Kirknatriclr
STATED as successor to his father. would
To-Day admit that really serious issue
laced the fraternal order. Both men
were asked for statements
| Secretary Abrahams was dfsnosed n
take a most serene and optimistic view
OF the entire situation. He had nre-
vlously predicted that President kirk
patrick would realize that his age in
terfered with his active personal man
! agement of the society and that he
would not be a candidate. In fact the
secretary felt quite certain earlier in
the week that the president might moi
SO much as attend the national coun-
GIL Today he was filled with hone
and pleasant thoughts.
Nothing But Harmony
There is nothing but harmony.
declared Abrahams. Things are as
peacerul as in nest of turtle doves
Why, Kirkpatrick seems happier thar
in months. We were in each Others
office several times. He was cordial
and cheerful This matter wasn't
mentioned. The difficulty is all inter.
nal and mostly imaginary"
Pressed for statement today
James Kirkpatrick, the son, was dis
posed to keep the matter right in thu
| confidence of members of the society
where he contended the whole affair
belongs.
Il haven't anything to say" the
younger Kirkpatrick repeated on sew
eral occasions. Later he stated that hs
| did not want to engage in a dispute
with his father or other members.
| IF I make a statement, father will
probably dispute it, said the younger