The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-30
KU KLUx KL A N IS SUED FOR
 RECEIVER
Imperial Kleagle Clark Is Assailed By Goblins And 25O Others In Joint Ac- tion.

Atlanta, Ga. Jan. 30-For the first time in history the Ku Klux Klan was forced into court here today when a suit demanding that receiver be ap- pointed and asking that Edward further connection with the organiza- tion was heard in Superior Court. Headquarters of the orders are in this city.
 The attack Is mainly directed at Clarke. Imperial Kleagle of the Klan, because of the alleged statement by Harry B. Terrell, former Grand Cob lin of the Great Lakes domain. and of several other former Grand Goblins that they have been expelled from the order because of their animosity toward Clarke on account of a printed expose" of the Klan's activities.
 The suit was filed last month in the names of Harry B. Terrell and 2. R. Upchurch. the latter a former am- ploye of Clarke in his work as head Of the propagation department of the hlan- Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler also is named as party to the suit and, ac- cording to Terrell. will not be drop ped from it because of her recent the propagation work. He contends this resignation was only a blind.
 250 Join In Suit
 When the suit was filed December 2S a temporary restraining order was imm ediately issued by Judge PendIe- ton, Of Superior court. directing the defendants ito cease expulsions of members" which, it Is charged in the restraining Clarke from paying out my of the Klan's money.
 Terrell and his associates in the suit, of whom there are 25O. asks junction against expulsion of mem bers and that both Clarke and Mrs Tyler be permanently enjoined from having any connection with the or olS oc1ya +1,ak Izo appointed.
 The petition alleges that the Nu Alux kian has grown until it now numbers among it's members some tween 500 and 600 branches located throughout the country.
 Terrell. Upchurch and other for rner officers of the Klan contend in right to eXpel them under the Klan's charter, and for this reason thev have demanded that every scrap of paper bearing on the Klan's activities be produced in coourt. Uo written charges, they contend. ever have been filed against them, although the laws of the order provide for this.
 New Members Grow Less
 Terrell points out in his petition that following the concerted attack terest in the order began to grow lukewarm and indifferent and some members later on retired from it. coming into it became fewer and fewer, until at the present time It IS taking in very few new members"
 No serious effort was made oy either Clarke or Mrs. Tyler to offset these attacks, and Terrell and Up church insisted when they learned this that these two persons be re- moved, the petition relates.
 1C attacks grew more and more serious. without any effort by officers of the Klan to defend the order against them.a meeting of Goblins was held said, were Terrell. Lloyd P. Hoopec, F. W. Atkin and A. J. Padon, Jr They determined upon a visit to the Imperial Wizard of the Klan, William purpose of laying before him the statements contained in the news paper attacks and urging him to re- move Clarke.
 Simmons Fails to Act
 They made the trip, it Is stated, saw Simmons. presented their charges, demanded Clarke's removaa and retired, the statement relates, They supplemented the conversation with Simmons by written statements they allege, but were. surprised when Simmons, after promising drastic
 
 Heavy indebtedness of the order for various pieces of real estate in Atlanta are pointed to as reasons for era nting the receiVership.
 Officials of the Klan have consist ently declined to comment on the fl- ing of the petition.
 Terrell, who has fought bitter battle against Clarke ever since the institution of a newspaper campaign T against the Klan, has declared his main object is to force Clarke out of he order, but recently he nas inti. mated that he may seek to complete " wreck the Kan by exposures he may make.