The Washington times., 1921-10-12
SIMMONS HAS
HARD TIME WITH.
/. TEETH AND GUM
Movie Men Lead Imperial
Wizard a Dogs Life at
House Probe.
by Universal Service.

| by Universal Service.
Although Imperial Wizard Sim
mons did not take the stand to tell
Of the doings Of his Invisible EN-
pire. he and his staff Of COLLINS,
Cyclops. King Kleagles. and other
gentlemen of mystic titles were the
center of attraction at yesterdays
Congressional hearing on the Ku
Klux Klan.
Where is the Imperial wizard?"
was the first question on the lips
Of the several hundred men and wo-
men as they entered the hearing
room. But those who had pictured
to themselves a terrifying figure
In hood and robe. astride a fiery
hooded steed. saw nothing to de-
note supreme Dictatorship over the
order that rides by night"
His Exalted Highness arrived at
the Capitol from his retreat in Vir-
ginia, where he spent the night with
a fellow-klansman. wrapped In a
dark overcoat extending almost all
the way down his six feet and two
or three inches. He wore slouch
hat and carried a silver headed cane.
! Removal Of the overcoat In the
| committee room revealed grey
suit, with frock coat reaching to
the knees. high standing collar. four
in-hand tie of blue background and
white poker dots set off by a large
diamond solitaire scarf pin, and a
heavy linked gold watch chain. with
large pendant dangling.
The Wizards reddish hair WAS
In harmony with his florid COM
plexion. Thin shell-rimmed nose
sharp. blue eyes.
Local Goblin With Wizard.
The Imperial Wizard was accom-
panied by his chief of counsel. Paul
Etheridge, an Atlanta attorney, and
II. B. Terrell, grand goblin OF tho
District Of Columbia domain. They
were escorted by Congressman Will
lam d. Upsha, Democrat, Of the
Atlanta district.
Mr.. Upshaw took the khan officials
to call on Chairman Campbell before
the hearing began and sat within
few feet from the table especially as
signed to them during the hearing.
Wizard Simmons was greeted by
DIR. Wilbur +. Crafts, head OF the
| international Reform Bureau, after
entering the hearing room, but their
chat soon was broken up by the
irrepressible movie" men, who
ordered the imperial wizard around as
IL he were a private Klansman. He
submitted good and posed In
forty-eleven different ways to please
everyone OF them, standing up, sitting
down, moving his chair around.
When the camera fiends wanted to
shoot the wizard posing with members
Of the committee, however, Congress
man Rodenberg, Republican, OF
Illinois, baked, and the committee had
to pose without the wizard.
But his wizardness was a glutton for
punishment. After the committee ad-
ljourned for lunch, he again was be.
sieged by the movie" bunch and
asked to pose outside the House Office
building.
When Mr.. Simmons sat down he
drew out an artistic silver cigarette
case, well stocked, and left II spread
open before him. He, smoked In
Vulnerable cigarettes during the lay
and also evinced a slight nervousness
by chewing gum. Once or twice he
cut toothpicks from matches and ap-
plied them with a firm hand. The
'Goblins and Kleagles seemed to prefer
cigars. with which they were well
supplied.
He Got Thirsty Too.
The imperial wizard mopped his face
with a big white handkerchief at fire.
ouent intervals. He and his aides
wore a smile most Of the day.
Every few minutes Simmons and
/ Etheridge would exchange whispers,
while Terrell made voluminous notes.
When the Imperial Wizard became
thirsty, the chief Of counsel fetched
him a quenching draught from the
committee pitcher.
The Imperial Wizard displayed evil
dences OF the greatest discomfort OF
| the day when Postoffice Inspector o.
! n. Williamson was on the stand.
Chairman Campbell had asked II the
inspector had found any records OF
expenditures by the khan on needy
persons.
"If YOU call Simmons a needy per-
son, I would say So" was the reply;
but not for any other charitable pur-
pose."
Wilkinson told the committee Sim
mons salary since August has been
81 900 a month. Up to that time he
had received 500 a week.
Congressman Foss Republicanl OF
Ohio, n member OF the Rules Com
n4ittee, stated no thought the investi-
cation would be recommended by the
committee, snf that evidence war.
ranting prosecutions would be sd-
duced,