Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1921-04-20
Ku Klu to Prosecute Slanderers


Atlanta, Ga, April 20.-With
appropriation of a fund OF $4,000
with which to fight its enemies
who are seeking to stab it in the
back and with the creation of a
special department to handle this
phase of its work, the Knights OF
the Ku Klux Klan, according to
Col. William J. Simmons. imper-
ial wizard. today put under way
a nationwide campaign against
slanderous attacks upon the or
ganization and misrepresentation
as to its aims, purposes and actlv-
tiles which are being circulated
throughout the country by ndi-
viduals and organizations thru
newspapers and in other ways.
While it has no quarrel with
honest critics who do not fancy
the Ku Klux Khan. Colonel Sim
mons announces that his Organi-
cation is determined to put an
end to malicious ISLANDERS of the
order or spend every dollar in
the treasury in the attempt.
1t is stated that officials of the
Klan have had creation of such a
department under consideration
for some time and that the dcci-
sion to establish it at once was
fastened by an incident Of March
30th. when one Of the large news
services Of the country sent out
report from Covington. Ga.
that ku Klux Klan was involv-
ed in a conspiracy to create a
race riot at Covington and stage
demonstration in behalf Of
John S. Williams, the Georgia
planter, then facing trial for the
murder of several negro farm
hands.
This news service later sent
out from its headquarters in New
York a statement declaring the
story from Covington was false
i'll every particular and that there
was no basis in fact for that re-
port.
"Thc Knights of the Ku KluX
Khan has no quarrel with anyone
who honestly and conscientiousTy
does not approve of the organiza-
ton" says Col. Simmons. "but
we do not intend to stand any
longer for lying misrcpresenta-
ton regarding its motives, pur-
posse and activities. The Knights
of the Ku KluX Kan is a duly
chartered institution. recognized
by law. and those making or pub
fishing or causing to be made Or
published slanderous statements
about it are liable to prosecution
future to make striking examples
OF some of those who have r,yli-
ciously and outrageous1y Sian
dered this organization.
The news article referred to as
having charged the Ku Klux
Klan with conspiring to create a
race riot contained the follow
ing opening paragraph:
"By United Press
"Covington. Ga. March 80
A XII Klux Klan' conspiracy to
arouse race hatred between the
whites and blacks was frustrated
when white boy barred the en-
tire plot to- the authorities. it was
believed here today. The IN
named youth was carefully guard
ed in the county jail as officials
feared violence might result
from the intense feeling in Ger
tain quarters because of his sup
posed confession"
AS soon as publication of this
story came to the attention OF
the officials Of the Ku Klux Klan
they began an investigation
which disclosed there was no bas-
is for it. The matter was taken
up with the New York office Of
the United Press. over whose
wires the story had been sent.
with the result that the United
Press sent out an interview with
Col. Simmons DENYING the Gov
'ngton report. and in a personal
telegram to Col. Simmons. Pres
dent Bickel disclaimed any in
tentlon to misrepresent the order
expressed his regret for the Gov
ington story and thanked Col
Simmons for calling his attention
to it.
The coal output has decreased