Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-15
PAUL s. ETHER|DGE
DEFENDS KU KLUY
The Atlantis Journal News Bureau,
623 Riggs Building.
BY THEODORE TILLER


WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 10
Paul s. Etheridge, Of Atlanta, su-
preme attorney for the Ku Klux
Khan, went before the house rules
committee early Wednesday after
noon with the statement that he de-
sired to clear up several references
that had been made affecting At
lanta persons during the investiga-
tion.
Mr.. Etheridgs declared that Mrs.
Elizabeth Tyler was mot the power
behind the thronS' - the Khan or
ganization as alleged: that she did
not occupy a "palatial home" costing
thousands Of dollars, as published,
and that there had been no evidence
to show that the khan had any con-
nection whatsoever with the Lake
wood killing Of several months ago
Mr.. Etheridge made a good wit
ness and evidently impressed the
committee by his frank and unqua1-
fed statements. He asserted he had
been member Of the imperial
organization, or for more tnan -FOUR
Committee Misinformed
"The committee has received mis-,
Atlanta" said Mr.. Etheridge. and
/ would like few moments to clear
them up. Most Of the testimony
heard so far has been opinionatlve
and argumentative. 1t has been stat
ed here and published that Mrs Ty-
Ter is the power behind the throne
in the khan. 1 have been a member
OF the Imperial body for four years
or more. / think 1 have attended
almost every meeting and been call
ed into consultation as supreme a. a.
torney. or general counsel. ! am not
familiar with the detail work in the
field, but am familiar with the I'M
perial body work.
ST had never met Mrs. Tyler until
last July 4, at a celebration. un-
derstood then she was connected with
the publicity or propagation depart
rnent of the order. If she has ever
exercised any control over the organl,
cation / have never heard or 1t ana
I think would know. II Is oues1u n
of my knowledge. have never known
her to be called upon for an opinion,
nor has she offered them regarding
the workings of the organization.
''Now as to the home she occupies
out on the Howell Mill road. ! am
member Of the board Of county COM
missioners of Fulton county, prop
erty owner nnvself and familiar. with
values. Gentlemen, that place Is not
worth over $4,000 or $4,000 at the
most It Is not magnificent es-
jor Wright Major Wright is the
former klansman who wrote Sc
ries of articles for the Hearst pub
lications) Mrs. Tyler's place con-
sists of about twenty acres and is
possibly as poor land as we have In
fulton county. 1t is practically out
In the woods. on the side OF a MIL
and has six or seven-room house
upon it: ;. 1t is the old Radensiaden
Eeviews Lakewood Killing
'Major Wright testified that there
had been extensive improvement.
suggested Chairman Campbell. DO
you know whether thousands or dol
lars have been spent as claimed In
improvements"
NO improvements" said Mr.. Ethe-
Major Wright, recalled to the
stand few minutes before, had tes-
titled that Edward Young Clarke had
told him in June last that ne mao
spent thousands OF dollars In I'M
proving the estate"
Mr.. Etheridge then went yer the
details of the Lakewood killing.
There had been an inttmation only,
he said, that the khan had anything
to do with the alleged sbductton -
J. G. Thomas. who turned on the men
in his party and slew one of ther~
This intimation, he said. came
through the report that Captain Co
burn, who was described as Supreme
attorney" Of the khan. represented
Mr.. Thomas.
captain Coburn was not supreme
attorney" said Mr.. Etheridge. II
hold that office and had nothing to
do with the Lakewood case. Mr..
Thomas claimed to have received
blackhand letters signed by ''the ewes
Of a thousand real men" md so on,
in the claim that the khan was be-
hind the Lakewood affair. The khan
was no wise involved. Pitts and
Schultz were prosecuted and indicted.
and the prosecution was in charge
Of John A. Boykin, district attorney,
who Is klansnan.
"The khan never was consulted
about the Lakewood trial. had no
part in the trial and took no inter-
est in 1t. never have heard of Pitts
and Schultz as members Of the local
organiza ton. Possibly they may be,
but as a member of the imperial
board / have never heard IF them.
The public and press of Atlanta
placed practically no credence in
such reports and they were dropped"
Chairman Campbell as;-ed about the
disposition Of the Lakewood case.
Mr.. Etheridgs said Pitts and Schultz
were acquitted of the charge Of as
sault with intent to kill and tina
Thomas had never been indicted by
the grand jury after he killed one
Of his assailants. He presumed the
grand jury investigated the whole
matter. but it would rot indict