Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-25
CLARKE ORDERS KLANSMEN
TO DISPENSE WITH MASKS
EXCEPT IN LODGE ROOMS
Governor HardWick Tells
Clarke That Order Must
Be Enforced or Such Leg
iSIation viii Be- Passed

Governor Hardwick on Saturday
made public a letter from Edward
Young Clarke, imperial Wizard. pro
tenn, of the knights of the Ku Klux
Khan, with regard to dispensing with
the mask as a part Of the khan re-
gala.
The governor made public also
his reply TO the letter, in which re-
ply he approves the position taken
and the orders issued by Imperial
Wizard Clarke, but expresses the
opinion that they must be uncom-
promisingly enforced to clear the
khan of connection with or response
bility for outrages and acts if VIC
lence committed by masked men.
In his letter to the governor. the
imperial wizard, pro tenn, states that
he. has no authority to dispense. with
the mask as a part of the khan re-
gala. That, he explains, is legis-
lative function resting exclusively
and solely in the imperial klonvoca-
ton, or the congress Of the order,
which will not meet until next year.
Meanwhile, however, he informs
the governor that he has gone to
the limit of his executive authority
by issuing orders to the following
effect:
Three Orders Issued
IAN order directing the khan
IN Georgia not to wear the mask, COS
tune or other regalia except in the
lodge room; and directing the Off
GERS of local klans to arrest and
turn over to the local sheriff any
klansmen wearing the mask or cos
tune in parades or elsewhere except
in the lodge rooms; and calling on
klansmen in Georgia to exert their
utmost efforts to apprehend non
klansmen who wear any mask or
costume in imitation of the khan.
Am order directing the forma-
ton of a corps Of lecturers to go
throughout the state and deliver
speeches to klansmen and the public
proclaiming the announcement that
the khan is not a regulatory body in
any sense, but a patriotic and fra
ternal order, and that the khan APP
proves no lawlessness or violence IN
any form, and stands behind the con-
stituted authorities in the enforce
ment of all law, and in the protec-
ton of life and property.
3.-An order directing Fred l.. Saw
age, his chief Of staff and head of
the investigation department OF the
order, to make a sitting investigation
of all recent acts of 1awlessness or
violence by persons wearing the khan
mask or costume or imitation OF the
same, and to report his findings
without regard to whether klansmen
are involved or not, and he (Clarke)
announces that the findings will be
made public.
The imperial wizard pro tenn as
sures the governor of his determine
ton to exonerate the khan OF any
vestige of doubt in the public mind
as to the sincerity of the professions
of those in control of it's policy. The
oath of the khan, he states, binds ev-
cry member to uphold the constitu-
ton and laws of their states and the
United States, and if any klansman
have the impression that the khan
Is a regulatory body, he is determin-
ed that their minds shall be correct
ed of that impression.
Governor Iiardwick in his reply
approves the orders issued and the
position taken by Imperial Wizard
Pro Tenn Clarke. He declares every
klansman who believes in law and
order should fundamentally support
the uncompromising enforcement of
the orders. If they will do so, he ex-
presses the opinion that the khan will
be- cleared of allegations of lawless-
ness. If not, he declares it will be
necessary to pass a law prohibiting
the use of the mask by any organi-
cation or body of men.