Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-27
FIRST SPLIT SEEN !
IN INNER CIRCLE
OF XII KLOX KHAN
KIeagIe CIarke's Letter In
Sisting That Wizard Ac-
cept Resignation Scored
By Mrs. Tyler


imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Khan
will accede to the demand by Ed.
ward Young Clarke for immediate ac-
ceptance of his resignation as i'm.
perial kleagle of the invisible empires,
and whether Mr.. Clarke and Mrs.
Elizabeth Tyler, his associate in thu
propagation department, will patch
UP their differences growing out OF
the writing of Mr.. Clarke's demand,
were questions which figured large-.
ly in the Ku Klux Khan situation
Monday.
Upon the answer to these peril.
nent questions depends largely the
future of Ku' Klusism, according to
close students of the situation which
has developed following prbiication
by the New York World Of alleged
doings of the klat and alleged sta
utory violations involving Mr..
Clarke and Mrs. Tyler. Apparently
a crisis has been reached in the az.
fairs of the order.
Colonel simmons BACK
lanta Monday from st. Lopis, where
he addressed a gathering of klans-
men Friday night. At his home at
'KlanKrest," it was said all informa.
ton concerning Colonel Simmons
and his probable action on Mr..
Clarke's ultimatum would have to be
issued from the imperial palace. AT
the imperial palace, khan executives
declared the wizard would have abb
solutely nothing toesay Monday, and
possibly nothing on Tuesday.
x Colonel Simmons is busily engag-
ed" said Imperial Kligrapp Wade to
newspaper reporters who called at
the-palace, "and 1t is humanity irn-
possible for him to see you today.
When he is ready to issue a states
ment, it will be in writing over his
signature"
Other invisible empire executives
expressed the belief that there was
not the slightest chance that Colonef
Simmons would accept Kleavla
Clarke's resignation
Colonel Simmons was believed 70
be in conference with other high ON.
Gals of the order. although ImperiaT
kiigrapp Wade declared that the
"Kloncilium" was not in session.
lSleagle Clarke could not be reached
Monday for statement. He was de-
clared by khan officials. including Mrs..
Tyler. to, be in the city, but they de.
cilned to say whether he was at
tending the conference at the imperial
palace.
Mrs Tyler, the other member OF
the klan's "triumvirate,"D fatty de-
clined to make any statement, saying
she was content to stand pat on the
statement she made in Sundays Jour
nal until Colonel Simmons decision
on Mr.. Clarke's letter was reached.
When JOURNAL reporter talked to
Mrs. Tyler she was at her home on
the Howell Mill road.
Khan officials admitted that the
questions now up to Colonel Simmons
for immediate action are matters
which will require the most careful
consideration.
Mrs. Tyler and Mr.. Clarke have
been regarded as the persons largely
responsible for the rapid growth Of
the Khan. Without Mrs. Tyler's keen
ability to direct a. nationwide orr
ganization and manage the national
headquarters, and \ without Mr..
Clarke's conceded genius for promo2
ton and for devising publicity stunts.
close Khan observers declare tho orr
der's progress would be seriously
impaired.
Mr.. Clarke's practical ultimatum to
Colonel Simmons, demanding the ac-
ceptance of his resignation without
delay, would, it was said, have the
effect of automatically dropping Mrs.
Tyler from official connection with
the Khan, inasmpch as she was Mr..
Clarke's assistant and did not hold
official appointment in the order.
When Mrs. Tyler learned of Mr..
Clarke's action late Saturday night,
she declared he was "weak-kneed,
and that the arrangement suggested
by him to Colonel Simmons did not
meet her approval. She asserted she
would stand by her guns, whether
Mr.. Clarke did or not. and that she
would continue to serve the Khan
even If she had to work without pay.
/ May Adjust "BrsachD
There were many persons in At
lanta in close touch with Ku Klux
affairs who believed Mr.. Clarke, Mrs.
Tyler and Colonel Simmons would
"get together" on the colonel's re-
turn and adjust the Clarke-Tyler
breach amicably "for the good of the
order" Others expressed the opin-
ion that the break is too serious to
be adjusted.
While Colonel Simmons action
on Mr.. Clarke's ultimatum was
awaited, there were other interest
ing developments in the klan's at
fairs Sunday and Monday.
DR.. Caleb A. Ridley, pastor OF the
Central Baptist church and "impe-
rial chaplain" of the Khan, bitterly
denounced the New York World in
his Sunday night sermon for print
ing the details of the police court
case last January in which the min-
ister was acquitted on charges OF
making improper advances to
near him on Cooper street.
II am proud Of my membership IN
the invisible empire, knights of the
Ku 1&lux Klan," declared DR.. Rid
ley, "and / have no respect for q
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