The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
MARTIAL LAW
 |STHREATENED IN OKLAHOMA
Next Step Will Be to Control Entire State As Troops Are Now Doing Tulsa County, Governor Walton Says
KLANSMAN DEN0UNCES
 ATTACK ON ORGANIZATION
It Is a Matter The State
 Must Work Out For Itself, As Governor Within Right, Claims Secretary Weeks

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Sept. '. (By Associated Press )-The entire state of Oklahoma was threatened with martial law today by Gov. J. C. Walton, coincldent with chal- lenge thrown to him that he would never be able Ito break the power of the Ku Klux Klan in Oklahoma" :"
 Charging that the drive being con ducted by the executive in Tulsa county against mob floggers was inspired by Waltons desire to make himself "a national figure" N. w.. Jewett. grand dragon of the Okla homa realm of the klan, declared that the governor would like to drop the iron that has grown too hot for him to held right now if he could"
 Jack Walton cares nothing for the men that have been whipped; his fight Is on the klan," Jewett as- serted.
 Voicing his unshaken determina tion to restore the supremacy of the law In this state," the governor said:
 T realize that the conflict with the lawless element and lawless spirit of large groups of Oklahoma's s citizens is a desperate one; that my enemies will use every weapon at their command. including the press, where they can command it, grand juries and other agencies, to defeat the purpose of this administration"
 In 6 bitter attack on the executive, Grand Dragon Jewett charged Jack Walton entered the kitchen of the klan. but never got any further and that is one of the principal causes of his fight on the klan."
 Claims Walton Obligated.
 al Walton had been "obligated' in the klan at the capital by Minor Merryweather, for mersy a kleagle at MuskoEee, adding ''ttatiis sH ia r. as he ever got. Tie Oklahoma City organization rejected the governors Jewett charged.
 Answering allegations from the governors office that only the klan has been found responsible for Tulsa county floggings, Jewett declared that the klan repudiated the few ''weaklings" of its membership, who had become involved in masked vio- lence. "The klan has ever advo- cated enforcement of the law" he said.
 In line with Governor Walton's ad- vice to citizens to arm and shoot to kill' when attacked by mobs. state police commissions were issued today to several Comache county farmers, according to AldrlCn Bldke, the SoN- ernor's counsellor. Persons who have been threatened by mob vio- lence will be given commissions to protect themselves" said Blake.
 A full pardon to any person con victed for shooting members of mobs has been promised by Governor Walton.
 WEEKS SAYS HANDS OFF,
 WASHINGTON, Sept. 7.-Secretary Weeks in telegram sent today to Representative Howard of Oklahoma declared that a declaration by 9 governor of a state of martial law, or that an insurrection against the gov ernment of the state exists, is mat ter in which the war department cannot intervene"
 The request of Representative Howard of Oklahoma for war de- partment investigation into the use of Oklahoma National Guard units in enforcement of Governor Walton proclamation of martial law in Tulsa county, was referred today by Sec retary Weeks to Major General Bethel, judge advocate general Of the
 onipton