The Washington herald., 1921-10-13
Denies Charges Made by
Previous Witnesses at
Committee Hearing.
ASKS FOR THOROUGH
PROBE BY HOUSE
Love of Country Is Mo-
tive, Not Prejudice,
Says Col. Simmons.

to the House Rules Committee by
its founder and Imperial wizard"
Col. William J, Simmons, of Atlanta,
is an organization dedicated to the
promotion of patriotism. brother
hood among pen, charity, beneVo-
lence, and other virtues.
1t is not, he declared most en-
a gigantic swindle" for
the enrichment of its organizers
nor is it anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish'
or antinegro. II does not eounte-
nance lawlessness nor does ii -er-
IoriZ citizens, he averred.
Simmons took the stand before
the committee Wednesday to defend
the khan. after others had con-
it in unsparing terms. He
its formation and growth
and denied, individually and collec-
lively the charges that have been
made before the committee and In
public print. He offered a number
of documents in support of his con-
tentions, one of them purporting
to be a complete account of the
receipts and expenditures of the
"OuIu SPNaN O's"'
He reaa from a long prepared
statement, interpolating comments.
Before he started he asked to be put
under oath, but was told that the
was without power TO
oaths. However, Sim
mons frequently called on the Al
mighty as witness to his veracity,
and to the uprightness of his In
tentions.
The imperial wizard was pleas
and made the most or
an engaging Irish smile, and of a
manner of speech that at times
verged on the eloquent In the
same manner. his prepared state
ment, at certain points. might have
been described as fine writing"
simmons vest was decorated with
a heavy geld chain, from which
dangIed a large Masonic emblem.
He wore Masonic ring also, and
in the buttonhole of his, coat lapel
was the emblem of another frater-
nal order.
Representative w. d. Upshaw. of
made the appearance OF
Simmons before the committee the
occasion for a eulogy, in which he
stated Simmons was as incapable
o. an unworthy act as the Presi-
dent.
Sought to Quash Eulogy.
He said Simmons is a sturdy
and inspiring personality" a CON
secrated churchman," a "God-fear-
ing citizen and patriot" and man
Jf sterling character Cpshaw's
was made in the race
Of objections from Representative
a committee member.
The announcement that the i'm
perial wizard would appear before
the committee had brought a large
of curious persons to hear
him. The room was crowded ana
many stood throughout the after
noon. There were many negroes
present.
Simmons explained to the com
mfttee that he had left a sick bed
to come to the Capitol to testify,
and that any moment he was likely
to be seized with a fit of coughing
that would compel his retirement
in the day he had been pre-
vented from testifying by nausea.
The Inspiration for the founding
Of the khan, Simmons said. came to
him twenty years ago when he was
a young man. Realizing his youth
as a handicap. he said. he, kept his
own counsel through fifteen years
working, thinking and preparing
my head aud heart for the task of
creating this Institution for the in
for the promotion of real brother
hood among men"
sTrnitor, Took Funds.
Simmons told how traitor had
a bsconded with the funds of the
leaving many debts,
and how. he paid those debts after
much labor and deprivation. and
how the real expansion OF the or
der began about a year ago.
During all this time of dread
and darkness virtually stood
alone" said Simmons. Through
the dark hours \of struggle and
bitter sacrifice incident to the
of this movement, for
over nine long months I had on an
average of one meal a day. have
fought a good fight, have truly
kept the faith. and God permitting
me, I shall finish my course. with
love towards all and malice to-
wards none. I shall pursue the right
as God shall give me vision Of
the right"
His total pay as head of the khan
In six years, Simmons testified. had
not exceeded $4,000 A house
which he now occupies. he told the
committee, was a gift from khan
members, through subscriptions.
and was not purchased with khan
funds. Surplus money of the khan.
be said. Is being used in the build
ing and enlargement Of Lanier Uni
in Atlanta.
Referring to the charge that Ed
ward Young Clarke and Mrs. Eliza
beth Tyler, who have charge of the
+propagating department" of the
Klan. had received from SIS 900, 900
to s25,000,0o0, Simmons entered en-
phatic denial. The money they
have received is less than that paid
by other orders for similar work,
he said. 49,,
Denies LLawlessness Charge.
Simmons denied that the Khan
,lawlessness, or that
take the law into their
won hands.
own hands.
I'VE teach respect for law, love
Of country, and closer fellowship
Of service" he declared, Offering
copies. of the ritual, constitution
and other documents as proof of
Klan doctrines Klans or KIansmen
who were lawless would \be ex-
PEELED. he said.
Simmons also said
Salaries paid Klan officials are
Continued on Page 15sven.