The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-25
Head of Ku KIux KIan Plans
Visit Here.
Branch Has Been Formed in
: Governors Home Town.
OPERATING IN NINE TOWNS
Industrial Cities Will Be Organ
ized First, Is Report.
Effort Made to Work Thru Civic
and Patriotic Bodies.

William J. Simmons, head of the
shrine Of the mystic white cloak,
may come to Topeka this week to or
ganize branch of the Ku Klux Khan.
Branches of the Klan have already
been formed in nine towns and cities
in this state. Simmons. who came to
Kansas from his home in Atlanta, Ga,
to aid in bringing this state under the
influence and power of the order, will
come to Topeka or send a lieutenant
here this week.
One of the strong branches of the
Klan in Kansas has been organized in
Wichita, the home of Governor Allen.
Simmons, who spent Sunday in Wich-
ita, outlined plans to create a branch
order in Topeka as well as in other
cities.
Organized in Nine Kansas Towns.
Nine cities now have Klan organi-
cations, according to the national head
OF the organization. These towns in
clude Wichita. Hutchinson. Arkansas
City. Marion. Columbus, Indepen-
dence, Pittsburg. Eidorado and
Augusta. State officials are disposed
to regard as significant that the or
der of the white cloak selected the
more important oil and mineral towns
in which to perfect their original or
EanizationS. Industrial cities will be
organized as soon as possible and
branches may later be formed in the
county seats and smaller towns which
are in strictly agricultural districts.
The organization work in this state
IS following closely upon the heels of
IN intensive drive for supporters of
the order in Oklahoma and Texas. Ma
tioral headquarters are in Atlanta, Ga
To Interest Civic Organizations.
Efforts are to be made by Simmons
to interest civic and patriotic bodies
in the campaign for membership. It
is declared that membership of the
ISlan in Kansas already totals several
hundred There have been no reports
tho, or organized efforts toward in
limitation or the taking of law into
hands of the membership.
Governor Allen and other state Of
ficials are not expected to interfere
with organization work. The state
will act only in case of violence or ac-
ton In violation of the statutes.
Expected Here This Week.
Simmons statements since entering
Kansas indicate that no effort will be
made to exercise tie Klans intimidat-
ing powers in this state. Such acts
will not be resorted to, Simmons has
been quoted as saying, except upon
the advice and with the cooperation of
regularly constituted law enforcement
officers and bodies.
No date has been announced for
Simmons arrival here. He has stated.
tho. that an organization would be
sought in Topeka sometime this week.
Baker Defends X. X. X.
The invisible empire. knights of
the I5u Klux Klan" was defended on
the floor Of the lower house of the
Texas legislature today by Rep. Baker
of Milan county speaking on a point
of personal privilege. While not ad-
mittinG membership in the secret or
Eanization he declared he was born
under the banner of the invisible en-
pire," and challenged the right of Will
liam J. Simmons of Atlanta, Ga. to
claim leadership of the Ku KluX Klan.
Hutchinson, Kan, July 25.-Chief of
Police Burgess OF the Hutchinson po-
lice, stated today that an organizer
WAS here about a month ago and
urged him and the sheriff, w. T.
Clark, to join the X. X. K. They re-
fused and Burgess says the organizer
stayed but few days and left without
forming an organization.
Simmons Is Denounced.
Austin. July 25.-William ]. Sim
mons of Atlanta, Ga, reputed leader
OF the *. *. X. and ANY man who
admits membership in the X. X. X is
a party to every crime the organiza-
ton commits, Representative Patman
OF Cass county declared in the lower
branch of the Texas legislature today.
He was speaking on a resolution
signed by himself and other members
protesting against Mr.. Simmons re-
ported intention of sending representa-
tives into Texas to investigate the
Klan's activities.
A resolution of Rep. Wright Patman,
and others condemning and denounc-
ing the Ku KluX Klan and demanding
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