New-York tribune., 1920-12-15
Ku-Klux Klan
Ready to Obey
New York Call
Imperial Wizard Refuses to
Say, However, Whether
Den of Invisible Empire
Has Been Organized Here
Colored Folk Protest
Society Asks US. Protection
Against Order That ''Vio-
lates 18th Amendment

The National Association for the
Advancement OF Colored People, 70
Fifth Avenue, protested yesterday to
United States Attorney Francis q.
Cafey against the organization of
don of the Ku-Klux Klan in New York
City.
In letter sent to Mr. Caffey it was
said that the association had been IN
formed that the organization OF New
York branch of the klan was under
wav. Il was declared last night at Mr..
Caffey's Office that with the exception
of the associations letter no communi-
cations regarding the Ku-Klux KIan's
activities had been received.
Ready to Operate Here
Colonel William Joseph Simmons,
Imperial Wizard of the knights OF the
Ku-Klux Klan, in a statement tele-
praphed to New York last night from
Atlanta refused to deny or affirm the
report of the organization OF New
York den. In his statement he out
lined the purpose Of the organization
described the character of its work,
the scop, of its operations and the
character of its members. He went as
far as to say that if an occasion de-
manded the Klan's presence in New
York City it would "be there on the
job"
81 can neither affirm nor deny the
existence of a local Klan in New York
City" he said. "as we have never for
mally announced such facts to the pub
lie. This information is of vital inter
est only to members of the organiza-
ton.
Should al emergency arise in New
York demanding the presence OF the
Ku-Klux Klan for the preservation OF
the fundamental principles for which
this organization stands, I can say
frankly that the Ku-Klux Klan would
be there on the job"
Colonel Simmons declared that only
about one in twenty of those applying
for membership in the Ku Klux Klan
are admitted.
Work Everywhere the Same
Regarding the work of Klan in
New York-in event of the organiza-
tion of a New York den--he said: "The
work of the Ku-Klux Khan is every
where the same, and is no different in
New York than in Atlanta or San Fran
cisco. except possibly in manner or
method in order to comfortably and
efficiently adjust our machinery to
local conditions"
Colonel Simmons, describing the pur-
poses of the organization, declared
that the organization stood pledged
to proclaim and preserve the funda-
mental principles Of the American
government, to maintain white supre-
macy in America in all things, to
complete the absolute separation of
church and state and to protect Amer
lean womanhood.
1.-THE early day exaltaton of woman
hood and mother by all true Ame ericans
must be called back and cherished. for
in its spirit lies wrapped up the future
Of real America" he said.
Qualifications as Members
"Only native born white Caucasian
American citizens are eligible for
membership in our organization, and
even in this class only those persons
owing no allegiance to any other gov
ernment of any kind in the world are
eligible for citizenship in the Invisi-
bic Empire.
"Mem bership in the Invisible Empire
cannot be purchased, but comes as the
reward of some duty unsclfshly done
or some real service to America"
The Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People, in it's letter tc
Mr.. Cafey, said: "The Ku-Klux K!ar
has been a means in Southern states
OF violating the Fifteenth Amendment
to the United States Constitution"
1t asked that the United States At
torney take steps to prevent the or
ganizaton Of New York den, provid
ing there is evidence to show that th'
Kian would be of the same characte,
Of those in the South