The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-02
= = b
.LANSNEN
CALLEDIN
CRISIS
Organizer Clarke Summons.
Hooded Bands to Discuss
Disscllation.
D, lnlsrna.I.nal Nema seEvlFe..l

By asstsrnatlsnsnl News sefylf x. .
ATLANTA. Ca, Jan. I.ook-
ing toward possible disbandment
of the Ku Klux Khan, Edward
Young Clarke, part organizer and
once imperial wizard Of the or
der, today issued an imperial
proclamation calling for a meet
ing of officials from every khan
in the United States here on
February &C.,
Lawless Element Rules.
The congress, Clarke declared, be-
came necessary because OF the law.
less element" which has sprung up
within ranks Of the khan.
After charging that members Of
the khan had interfered with courts,
elections and in other civil func
tons, Clarke's proclamation said:
Il. With the above conditions
existing and with the Federal Gov
eminent and the courts Of the land
becoming increasingly alarmed over
the situation It behooves Klansmen
Of all ranks and stations to gather
together and prayerfully consider
methods to eliminate existing evils,
or else to follow the example of
the founder OF the original Ku Klux
Khan, and have the courage and
the manhood to devise ways and
means for the immediate disband.
ment Of the organisation.
20. do here and now officially
order the ASSEMBLING In the city of
Atlanta on the 26th day of Feb
fliary, 1924, Of a session Of the Ma.
tional Congress- OF Klansmen, and
here and now do direct that all Of.
ficialS Of the khan regardless OF
factional differences or allignments
take the necessary steps to see that
every khan in the nation is repre-
scented by one or more delegates in
Guiding the cyclops of each khan.
-. The emperor and the imperial
wizard Of the organization win be
asked to be In Atlanta at this time
and to hold themselves in readiness
to come before the National Con.
gress In case that body so desires
at any time during It's session,
which It IL now contemplating will
last for at least two full days
The proclamation was signed by
Clarke in the capacity of imperial
giant of the order"
DepIOres Khan War.
Clarke deplored the fact that
''laudable aims. ideals, principles
and purposes have apparently been
abandoned by the Khan and the
organization has become one with
lawless tendencies and political de-
signs" He pointed out that for
many months there has been a
bitter war between the emperor
and imperial wizard Of the organi-
zation, resulting in strife and bit
terness within the ranks of the
organization"
Edgar Fuller. Clarke's executive
secretary, said the proclamation
was similar to that issued when the
original Ku Klux Klan order was
diSbanded. N |
The congress will come on the
heels of an appeal by Clarke to
President Coolidge asking that he
assist In cleaning house" Of the
Khan. Unless this is done and done
Immediately, Clarke said lisband.
ment Of the order will he necessary.
Hiram w. Evans, Imperial Wiz
ard, now is in control of khan af-
fairs and ID bitterly opposed to
Emperor William Joseph Simmons,
deposed leader Of the organization.
| Clarke IL follower OF Simmons,
and expressed q regret at being
forced to take such q step toward
disbardment, but said he had rather
see the organization completely dis.
banded than hnve Il aziGt ~ II
! apNs teaANs ,...l. & rs