The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-31

well, using the alias Baker, went to the offices of Attorneys Ecke and Keck and said to them: "We have man in jail here and have $10,000 and want to get him out" The at- torneys made a charge of $3,000 for their services but Bracewell did not pay this sum at that time and Little john was sent to Baltimore to close the deal. He paid the attorney $750, he said. All transactions were in cash.
 Edward Young Clarke. imperial giant or past imperial wizard, made public today a communication to Emperor Simmons, declining to take the leadership of the Simmons forces. At the same time he dis patched letter to pr. Evans de- clining to call together now the committee on national program of the klan, of which he is chairman and which he had been requested to call by the imperial kloncilium, hop ing through this committee to find solution of factional difficulties in the klan.
 Clarke Charges Conspiracy.
 In his communications to both Simmons and Evans, MT. Clarke de- clares that he has uncovered a na- tional conspiracy against him. In discussing the matter, he said:
  have uncovered some of the most amazing and startling facts con- nected with the many lawsuits and various fights through the press that have been made on me and l find that there is really national con- spiracy to wreck me mentally, phy- sicaIly and financially. It shall not be done if can prevent 1t. My in- formation leads me to believe that even the machinery of the United States government, through certain of it's agents, is being used to carry forward the conspiracy against me, and the most villanous and slander- ous circulars are being circulated all over the nation, and women, without honor and without charac ter, are being marshalled to file suits against me and to islander me in every way possible. The time has come when patience ceases to be a virtue and If I am not to be utterly crushed I must fight back and give to the world what I believe will be shown to be one of the most damn able and despicable attempts to crush an American citizen ever per petrated In the history of the na- tion. l expect, within the next few days, to make some startling dis closures and as the various court cases against me come to trial, through witnesses and by affidavits. I intend to open the eyes of the pub lie and my friends to things that 1t is hardly possible to believe could be done against any man. call upon my friends in all parts of the nation to assist me In vindicating myself and my good name, and pre- venting enemies and crooks from &C., complaining their fiendish purpose of thoroughly discrediting me and wrecking me physically and finan- cially.
 Sheriff shirley's Gettes Recalled.
 The letter to Dr. Evans follows:
 About two weeks ago had a communication from T. ]. Shirley. present sheriff of Birmingham, stated that he had been delegated by the imperial kloncilium to instruct me to call together the committee on national program of the Knighes of the Ku Klux Klan, of which have the honor to be chairman, and present to this committee some plans and views which l had dig- cussed with him and others, and which he had stated that he felt would solve the problem at present facing the klan. I have given the matter very careful consideration, and because of the fact that I have discovered there is nationwide conspiracy to completely wreck me duO ludL IL VIII Us necessary TOT me to lay aside everything and devote myself entirely for the next three to six months in defending myself and vindicating my good name be- fore the people of the nation and Justifying myself in the building of | present is the proper time for me to call this committee together and submit to them the plans, which l had discussed with MT. Shirley.
 "As the imperial officer of the or ganization. l am referring the com munication of MT. Shirley to you, be- cause l feel that this is an important matter. If there is any way l can assist in settling the difficulties ex- isting among klansmen at the pres ent time by calling this committee together and you should personally request me to call same, I will reopen the consideration as to whether or not I should call same at this time.
 T desire to say that I have just written Colonel Simmons, declining to take the leadership of his forces and asking him and all of his friends l to come and assist me in defending myself and vindicating myself throughout the nation, and I here and now make the same request of you,''
 Takes Up Flogging Cases.
 Ku Klux Klan officials. in meet ing at Asheville, N. C., last July, dis cusse. the situation in Oklahoma and decided to put on a speaking cam | paign in that state Ito build up the sentiment for law enforcement and obedience to jaw in Oklahoma on the part of the people," Imperial Wizard Evans declared in a deposition made on October and read today.
 
 ment to the effect that there had been 2,600 whippings in that state, and that mems lives were not safe and their homes not secured against invasion, Dr. Evans deposition de- clared that this meeting was of the opinion that the situation ought to be remedied. He added that it was felt that an institution founded upon the teaching of obedience and patriotism ought to get behind the officers of the law in Oklahoma to the extent of putting on a campaign throughout Oklahoma for a law that would make it a penitentiary offense not only to flog, but to conspire to flog, one or both. and thereby make the life and liberty and bodies of the people of Oklahoma safe from invasion"
 Present at the meeting, he said, in addition to himself. were Judge c. J. Orbison of Indianapolis, Gen. B. N. Forrest of Atlanta, Judge J. A. Conner of Little Rock, and Paul Ethredge of Atlanta.
 In reply to a question the deposi- tion quotes the imperial wizard as follows:
 What was planned there in that