Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-20
LAWMAKERS PLAN
To DEFY GOVERNOR
IN OKLA. DISPUTE

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Sept.
1S.-(By The Associated Press.)-
A clash between members of the
state legislature and Governor J. c.
Walton over martial law was immi-
nent today.
Despite the governors warning
that he will Jail any legislators that
attempt to convene themselves in
extraordinary session, the move
ment for an out-and-out test of the
executives authority grew and took
definite form.
Extension of absolute martial law
to Muskogee county, one Of the more
important centers in the eastern hall
| of Oklahoma, doomed today as Gov
| ernor Walton's next military mo
neuver against the Ku KluX Khan,
which already has encOmpassed
: the entire state.
cit is regrettable," the governor
said in a telegram to The Mus
| kogee Phoenix, eff, as my secret
agents have reported, your COM
munity is dominated and controlled
by an organization that would
usurp all the powers of the civil
authorities and courts in lieu OF
which citizens both innocent ana
guilty are summarily seized upon
manned, beaten and, We believe II
some cases, murdered by hoodeI
masked mobs. am afraid that
in order to clean up your situation,
we will have to take your county
under complete martial law"
Fairs Threatened
In the same message, Governo.'
Walton spread CONSERVATION TO
many hearts jby declaring it would
be necessary to put off for a time
the annual state fairs at MIskogec
and Oklahoma City in order toe
properly enforce military rule. Pub.
lie gatherings of such scope would
entail a violation Of military reSu
lations under which the cities a"e
governed which cannot be allowed
the governor said.
Thousands of farmers and dwell
ers in rural communities who make
the year will be deprived of their
favorite diversion if the governors
threat is carried out Not only this,
Ralph Hemphill, secretary of the To-
cal fair association, said, but finan-
cial losses amounting to hundreds of
thousands of dollars will result.
A move is said to be on foot among
business men of the city to attempt
To nnrclIo6n crnNGrnnT n rpfT1 in
from Eromulgating an order suspend
ing the fairs. The local exhibition
is scheduled to start this week, while
that at MuskOgee is billed for Octo
Der II. A military court of inquiry
was launched in Oklahoma City to-
day and investigation begun of
masked activities here and in other
parts of the state which is expected
in some quarters to lead to a demand
for records and other data from state
headquarters here of the Ku KluX
Khan. Governor Walton, in his dec
laratiOn of state wide martial law de-
clared that the head and foot of the
organization was in Oklahoma City
and that in order to stamp out the
organization it is necessary to stamp
out its source.
kIan Records Reported Gone
A report said today that records of
the Khan have been spirited out of
the state but this found no conrir-
nation. State officials have main
tanned silence since martial law was
proclaimed for the state Meanwhile,
troops of the Oklahoma national
guard continued to command affairs,
although the civil authorities and
courts are not being interferred
with. Regulations commanding ali
traffic and pedestrians to be off the
streets between midnight and a. M,
and guards stationed at the state
capitol here are the only outward
signs of military occupation.
Machine guns which were trained
on the city hall and the county
courthouse were struck down late
yesterday when the military returned
jurisdiction over the police depart
ment to the constituted civil author
tiles on demand of Mayor Cargil
But few soldiers, and these with
TcOnsplcuOus side arms, have been
seen on the streets. Strict censor
ship of all news concerning troop
movement has been ordered here by
the commanding officer.
Creek county, inclu led with TuI.
Sa ana Oklahoma counties in Gov
ernor Walton's declaration of abso-
lutte martial law, has not yet re-
celVed official notification that it is
under military rule and no troops
have been Modified
Governor Walton is expected to re-
turn to Oklahoma City today from
Okmuigee and Henryetta, which he
visited unexpectedly yesterday to
make tko speeches. In both address
es' ne reiterated his intention to
stamp out masked activities end ex-
'lorted his hearers to gather to his
support. He was received en1nusias-
ticaIly.
SHOOT TO KILL" IS ORDER
FOR POLICEMEN IN IDAHO