Evening journal., 1921-10-13
kLAN WIZARD
RAKES WRIGHT

Continued From First Page.)
in resolutions by Congressman and
others, are based on "rumors, insin-
uations and hearsay."
For the first time since he sat
smilingly through the various accu-
sations made against him and the
Klan. Simmons today lost his COM
placency and denounced bitterly the
ridicule he said has been heaped
upon him.
Gentlemen. have drunk deep
OF the cup OF Gethsemane" he said.
Simmons denied that the organiza-
tion caused to be taken from the
courts at Atlanta, Ga, records OF
alleged misdeeds Of two persons
Identified with the headquarters Of
the khan.
A record OF the copy of the record
was seen in the possession OF a rep
OF this newspaper Sim
mons said. "and this crime was
charged against US" he said.
Senator Tom Watson. Georgia,
created a furry at the hearing when
he broke in on the testimony of
Col. simmons. and demanded that
he be permitted to ask a question.
Chairman Campbell answered
that no outsiders were permitted to
ask questions.
"But 1 am not an outsider" re-
piled Watson with a finger aimed at
Campbell, Il, am very much on the
inside and / intend TO stay inside.
/ am a Senator and Colonel Simmons
is one OF my constituents. This
man deserves fair play and 1 intend
to see that he gets it,"
Campbell sought to calm Watson
by stating that he could ask his
question later.
VERY well, / shall have my say in
the Senate and started for his
chair.
Instead OF asking Simmons a
question. Watson cried out:
The House and Senate have re-
Gently created offices paying from
$4,000 to $4,000 a year in fees.
This money comes from the pockets
Of the taxpayers. I want the people
to know that"
Simmons and others in the khan
party tried % calm Watson during
the interchange OF remarks.
Denials that the Klan contained
within its ranks a lawless band Of
hooded hoodlums was made before
the committee yesterday by William
j. Simmons, Of Atlanta, its founder
and imperial wizard.
Turning sduarely upon members
who had listened intentiy for nearly
two hours to a dramatic defense Of
the organization. Mr.. Simmons de-
clared that standing here in the
presence OF God" hR wanted the
world to know that II a one-thou-
sandth part Of the charges were
true he would forthwith call to
gether the grand concilium of the
Khan for the purpose forever of dis
banding it in every section Of the
United States.
Called late In the day after a num-
Der Of negro witnesses from Boston
and Chicago had urged Congress
sional inquiry Of the Klan. the inn
perial wizard, first asking to be
sworn. told the committee the Slan
welcomed the investigation. but pro-
tested against attacks in some Of the
pending House resolutions.
The wizard was permitted to read
his statement without interruption.
although at the session today he
will be questioned by committeeman.
especially with reference to pub
lished reports OF various acts Of van
dalism charged to the Klan.
fHfTknra is frt
ization for those who take the law
into their own hands" he declared,
banging the table. 1--WE have been
charged with everything from the
wave of high prices to the sweeping
march OF the boil weevil. It has
been charged that our primary aim
was intimidation Of the negro OF the
South. But it might surprise this
committee to know the growth OF
the Ku Klux Klan has been greater
in the North and the East than in
the South"
Asserting that the Klan doesn't hold
anything outside Of its lodgeroom." ="
except by specific orders OF its inn
perial wizard so as to hold its mem
bership in line" Mr. simmons add
ed:
Before God, I have never signed
any Instructions that could be con-
strued or carried as a violation Of
law.
The clan does not tolerate or
teach lawlessness; instead we preach
respect for the law"
The Klan, the witness testified. is
/ conducting an investigation OF lis
own into charges against Edward
Young Clarke. imperial kleagle. and
head OF the propaganda bureau. and
Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler. his assistant
and will issue an official statement
when 1t comes into possession OF all
the facts. Mr. simmons also stated
that when the charges were frs
made Clarke and Mrs Tyler present.
ed their designations. TO be actet
upon after full opportunity had beer
given for a thorough sitting.
The revocation OF charters a
Pensacola, Fla, and Mobile, Ala.
was ordered by the Klan. Mr.. Sim
mons testified after it had been fount
that somebody purporting to b,
members had violated its best ira
ditions. At Pensacola three mel
wearing robes ordered Greek L,
leave the city, but il never was estab
lished. he said. that they were Klans
men and the charter was restored oi
assurance by the local officers tha