Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-17
WAR On KHAN
IN OKLAHOMA
Martial Law Takes Place of
Oklahoma POliCe-MaChine
Guns Ready for Use
GOVERNOR WILL SPEAK
Labor Convention Will be Ad-
dressed by Governor Wal
ton-ACtion is Surprise
GOVERNOR WILL SPEAK

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Sept.
IL (By The Associated Press). =
Military courts of inquiry into the
activities of the Ku Klux Klan were
in operation today in the two larg-
est cities in the state, Oklahoma City
and Tulsa.
The Oklahoma court convened to-
day, and summoned as the first wit
ness Campbell Russell, former chair
man of the State Corporation Com
mission.
Since martial law became effective
throughout the state Saturday mid
night the military has superseded
the Oklahoma City police heads;
machine guns have been leveled at
the city hall, police station and
county court house; a grand jury
has been cancelled and a military
court of investigation substituted,
and state capital citizens have been
told when to go to bed and when to
get up"
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Sapulpa
and their respective counties 70 Ok
lahoma, Tulsa aud Creek are under
absolute martial law" Troops are
on duty in the two larger cities and
adjacent territory. General Baird II.
Markham, in command at Tulsa, is
expected to arrive here by airplane
today. His hurried flight is unex-
planned. Troops have not appeared
at Sapulpa, according to latest in
formation from that city. Apparent
ly the remainder of the state is Lot
to feel the pressure of military occu-
patton, although neither Governor
Walton nor General Markham had
! made any statement to that effect
early today.
A special grand jury. called to
meet today to investigate charges
that Governor Walton used state
Iemp1oyes in checking initiative pet
itions recently filed with the secre-
tary of state, was suspended last
might by orders from Colonel w. s.
Key, in command of Oklohama City.
A military court was ordered to pro-
ceed with investigation work" at
the direction of the chief executive.
The scope of it's investigation will in
clude matters which the grand jury
would not have considered, it Is
understood.
Governor Walton declared in his
martial law proclamation that Oklo-
homa City was the headquarters OF
the Ku KluX Klan in oklahoma and
that it is here where the sovereign
power of the state was defied when
the grand dragon of this semi-mili-
tary organization publicly proclaim
ed in substance that the soyerie
state of Oklahoma could not break
the power Of the Klan.
Further asserting that the power
of this criminal organization may be
destroyed and that the source oi
the power must be destroyed" The
executive is expected to guide the
military court OF inquiry into Kr
Klux Klan state headquarters activ'
titles.
An infantry company and ma
chine gun company received equip
ment at the Oklahoma City armory
yesterday and were reported station
ed throughout the residence sections
of the city during the night to clear
streets of traffic between midnight
and a. M, in accordance with gen.
eral order No. 1, issued last night
They were ordered to wear arms as
j nconspicuously as possible. Both
companies are Oaklahoma City
units.
Street car schedules were being
revised today that all cars might
be in the barns by midnight tonight
Physicians and night employees
whose work keeps them on the street
during the restricted hours will be
issued passes by the commanding
officer, it was announced from mill
tary headquarters.
Cox-ernor Walton no Sneak