The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-16
K. & |. OF S. FIGHT

fContlnnad from Psc. one.3 ~
men whom the national president de-
sired placed on the committees These
committees comprise the law commit
committee on appeals and grievances
and committees on credentials, mile
age and per diem. These committees
will perform an important function in
the organization of the national coun-
Gil. Kirkpatrick alleges that the in
surgents are seeking to control these
committees and to win over the big
offices and control of the order.
In the Line of Duty.
Kirkpatrick's petition recites that
it is his official duty to certify names
Of the committees iI. question. Early
appointment of these committees is
necessary, he urges, that the affairs
of the society may not suffer. Kirk
|.patrick recites that he has previously
named these committees and that his
Recommendations have been promptly
approved by the executive committee.
This year, however, there is a fight
among members and officers for con-
troll. OF the organization. Insurgenu
members are backing the candidacy of
James Kirkpatrick-son of the>vet eran
head of the society-whose name will
go before the Toledo convention as, a
| candidate for national president. The
election of the Junior Kirkpatrick
means the overthrow of the control
now. held by w. B. Kirkpa triok. il is
asserted. 1t is on the basis of. this ar
guments that the present head of the
fsecuTity lodge has sought to enforce
the acceptance of his committees
through an order from the court
AT least one member of the COM
mittees named by President Kfrkpat-
rick has been notified of his rejection,
the pleadings recite. This member
was Hugh p. Farrelly of Chanute
widely known in political and legal
circles in Kansas. Farrelly was APP
pointed as a member of the law COM
mfttee. The executive committee after
receiving Farrelly's name, is alleged to
have notified him by registered let
ter that his name had been rejected.
Charges a Combine.
Then Kirkpatrick openly and flat
iy charges a combipation for the pur-
pose of gaining control of the society.
tGn this point his petition states in
part:
| Arbitrary action on the part of
the said committee is in pursuance to
a conspiracy entered into between
them and the board of trustees and
certain field deputies, which board of
trustees under the laws OF said order.
meets twice a year at the home office
in Topeka. Kansas; that at the meet
iDg in November, 1915. said trustees,
together with these defendants, en-
teret into an agreement among them
selves for the purpose of seizing all
offices in said order, and appoftion-
ing them among themselves and their
friends and to- coax, caiole or frighten
this plaintiff into retiring from. the
presidency without being a candidate
for reelection, and IL he failed to
comply. by various methods, unlawful
and otherwise. to defeat him for res
election in said order.
Warned 20 Get Out :
That in pursuance thereto. since said
ecutive committee and the board Of
trustees drafted a laudatory address
which they presented to said plaintiff
and in which they were Joined by a
number of deputies of said order
seeking prefermsnt and position
which address, however. closed by
warning and notifying said PLAINTIFF
that IL he did not voluntarily retire
from said order, he would be de-
throned from the presidency of said
order at thc national meeting in 1918.
That in pursuance there, since said
| conspiracy was formed. said board of
trustees, deputies and defendants
herein. acting together. have employed
various unlawful methods of hamper
ing the plaintiff in his work as the
head of said order. and providing for
his defeat at the national convention.
Defendant is advised that defen-
ants even have threatened to inn
peach this plaintiff as president in ore
/
appointed and acting. That among
other things defendants have unlaw.
fully paid out, or. caused to be paid
out, on unlawful warrants. uDlawful1y
signed by the vice president of the or.
der, who plaintiff alleges has no pow.
or or right to sign said warrants under
the constitution. thousands of dollars
Of the money which has been. in et-
feet. Incorporated by said defend
ants. in preventing. If possible. the
appointment or action of any of the
committees aforesaid which said
plaintiff. the president. under his duty
as president of said order is required
to appoint"
First Charge of Illegal Acts.
The charge of misrepresentation Of
funds is the first open claim from Of
ficcrs of the society that wrongful or
illegal acts had been performed in
the management of the big fraternal
beneficiary society. Evidence touch.
ing these matters. it was asserted to-
day, would be offered in the trial Of
the application for q writ.
Charge of Illegal Warrants.
Further charges contained in KIRK.
Datrick's petition are to the effect