The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-09-18
Call More
in
Oklahoma
Situation in Sooner Capital Is
Tense Over Martial Law
Guards Ready for
Mobilization.
State House Is Watched

Oklahoma City, Sept 17.-Gov. J.
c. Walton made the power of martial
law felt in Oklahoma today.
While the governor was speaking
at Henrietta today, charging the Ku
Klux Klan with anarchy and rebel
lion. the military court of inquiry
here began its official investigation.
1.-THE fight on the khan Is no longer
q religious affair."" the governor said
In his speech. 1.-The organization ,s
trying to control the government OF
the entire state. 1t Is in open anarchy
and rebellion and must be put down."
Armed guards stand at the great
doors of the chambers of the senate
and house of representatives, bay
onets fixed. No one Is allowed to
pass That is to prevent, physically
- necessary, an extraordinary session
of the legislature In an attempt to
impeach the governor.
Guard Numbers Increased.
Reinforcements of National guards
men are being brought in. No rea-
son was given for this at military
headquarters. But the military shows
indications Of uneasiness over the
tensity of feeling here, growing out
of martial law.
Machine guns command the streets,
bristling from public buildings. Dur.
ing guard mounts there was some
jeering from spectators.
Plans for emergency mobilization
at any point in the city were drawn
-tAt I'd
night and day. at the siren of the
local gas corporation. Five blasts OF
the whistle will be the signal for all
units to mobilize at central points
and war nthat trouble has broken out.
An artillery unit of the national
guard, stationed at Enid. was ordered
mobilized today and will entrain to-
night for Oklahoma City. These
troops will be stationed at Capitol
hill and the big guns will guard the
state house. Full pressure Of mar
tial law was being felt in the city
tonight. Regular street car service
was ordered stopped from 11:30 to :
,.Snwn. Main roads entering the city
are being patrolled.
Klan Records Removed.
Reports reached military headquar-
ters today that the Ku Klux Klan
scored a coup in getting records of
the organization out of the state. Ac-
cording to the report, records and Sc
cret files were loaded on an airplane
and carried outside the state. The
military court of inquiry, it is said.
expected to seize these records.
The military court, at its opening
session, interrogated Campbell Rus
sell, former chairman of the State
Corporation commission. and enemy
of Governor Walton. Russell, it was
said, precipitated the first physical
clash since the troops came to the
capitol. He was circulating hand
bills, picturing the governor as a man
drunk with power an dmiltary rule.
He was knocked down by A. r.
Clark, son of former police chief
here. 1t was understood he was
brought before the court to ascertain
whether his circular would intend to
incite riot and inflame public opin-
ion.
Governor Walton is under prbtec-
tion of special guards, threats hav-
ing been made against his life.
Tonight Company II, national
guards, located at Frederick, was be-
ing modified under orders from the
governor to be ready to move on
10 minutes notice.
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