The New York herald., 1921-10-12
MYTHS EXPLODED
IN K. K. K. INQUIRY
Postal Inspector Testifies To-
tai Membership Is About
$4,000 Persons.
Special Despatch TO THE New York HERALD
New York Herald bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. Oct. ii.

Special Despatch TO THE New YonK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. Oct. ii.
Many interesting myths concerning
the Ku Klux Khan were exploded to-
day at the openings of hearings before
the House Rules Committee to deter
mine whether there should be Con-
gressionai investigation Of the Klan.
Instead Of the enormous rapidly grow
ting organization of 100000 members. as
frequently claimed by friends and foes
of the khan, the total membership OF
the order is about $4,000 persons. ac-
cording to the testimony of o. b. Will
hanson. postal inspector detailed to in
vestigate.
He found nothing to sustain asser-
tions that the lslan has collected $4,000
600 In membership dues. His examina-
ton showed collections of only $1,l4s.-
900. he testified.
Chicago is the klans stronghold in
the North. according to Williamson. he
said IL had not been quite so successfui
in New York.
The committee showed much curiosity
regarding statements that several Sena-
tors and Representatives are members.
The only light Williamson was able to
shed on this point was a statement
In the SecrchHght, official organ OF the
klan stating that several members OF
the United States Senate and several
members of the House had been natu-
ralized," that is. initiated into the khan.
Representative Royal Johnson Is. ID
wanted to know about sacred Chatta-
hoochie River water, alleged to be sold
az $40 quart by the khan for annolnt-
ing purposes. Williamson said he was
unable to find evidence to support that
statement.
Williamson found nothing to indicate
that the khan contributed money Tor
charitable purposes. He discovered. on
the contrary, that 50 OF every $40 goes
to pay salaries OF the wizards. keagles,
klekards and other officials.
was none Of their money contributed
to charity?" asked Representative Camp
bell (kan.). chairman of the committee.
IF you call Col. Simmons. the i'm
perial wizard. needy person, yes,' re-
piled the witness.
The Imperial Wizards salary is $1,000
week. according to Williamson. I'm
perial Kleagie Clark. second In conf
r,and. and his assistant, Mrs. Elizabeth
Tyler, described as a publicity agent.
get their compensation from a "propa-
cation fund.-" which amounts to so7.0r
Williamson said Mrs. Tyler told him
sho regarded her work purely as a busi-
ness proposition and she was only In It
for the money. He said the Imperial
KleagIe and Mrs. Tyler were the real
business executives Of the organiza-
ton.
"Then what does the Imperial Wizard
do?" inquired Representative Campbell.
.He was busy trying to get rid of a
severe cold when I was in Atlanta,
answered Williamson.
row Of negro lawyers and onlookers
grinned delightfully."- while the Khan was
under attack. Representative Jimmy
Gallivan OF Boston. who gained fame hy
calling Jack Dempsey "a big bum" mot
to his face), was also on hand to press
his resolution creating joint Congress
sionai committee to conduct the in
quiry.
C. Anderson Wright. form erly King
Kleagle and national organizer of the
knights of the Aair. an auxiliary of the
khan. testified against the organization.
Clark. according to Wright, plainly
told him that tn, Klan was formed to
combat Jews and Catholics. Wright
also charged that the Klan had sen:
reasonable matter through the mails.
Imperial Wizard Simmons probably
will take the stand tomorrow.