Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-12
KLAN CHIEF DENIES
ENDORSING WATSON
FOR VICE PRESIDENT

CLEVELAND, O., June at was
announced here today, and promptly
denied, that the ku KluX Klans can
didate for vice president was Senator
Watson, of Indiana.
Milton Elrod, former publicity agent
for the khan, dictated a statement at
khan headquarters which he said was
in behalf of Dr. H. w. Evans, i'm
perial wizard of the khan, saying Sen
ator Watson was the klan's only
choice for candidate, and that Klans-
men would be satisfied with no one
else Mr.. Elrod authorized publica-
ton.
When DR.. Evans heard of Elrod' S
statement, he repudiated it wholly,
and issued a ~.atement of his own
declaring that no one had been au-
thorized to speak for him, that the
khan had rot indorsed Senator Wat
son; that it had no candidate and
was not in politics.
Senator Watson promptly declared
the statement had been inspired by
enemies seeking to embarrass him,
and he disclaimed that he was t. e
klan's candidate.
Evans Statement
DR.. Evans issued the following
statement:
The statement that the knights
of the ku KluX Khan are demand
ing the nomination of any man to
any office is unqual.~iedly false.
am the only man authorized to au-
thoritatively speak for the khan, and
[ solemnly affirm that the Knights
of the Ku KluX Khan is not in poll
political party will be allowed % at
the I<u Klux Khan.
I'VE believe in parties. Millions
of our men and women belong to
each party Our only hope is that
each party will soon conduct it's af-
fairs as to merit the confidence of
their friends. In my opinion there
is no danger that either the Repub-
lican or Democratic party will nomi-
nate for the presidency or vice presi-
dency any man who is not an up
standing citizen worthy in e and
character to hold the position.
L have not been interviewed here
tofore on this question [ have au-
thorized no statement for myself or
the knights of the Ku Klux Khan
on the question, and the statement
appearing in the press attributed to
me is without foundation of fact.
(SiSned) DIR. H. 49,. EVANS,
Imperial Wizard,
Knights of the I<u Klux Khan"
Elrod's statement follows:
"All of our boys throughout the
nation will understand only one
thing and that is Senator James E.
Watson for vice president-flat.
eve will deny any responsibility
for the defeat of the Republican
party at the polls in November if
Watson is not selected for vice
president on the ground that he is
the most available candidate to carry
the mlddlewestern states which are
necessary for the election of Cool
idge"
Senator Watson, of Indiana, i'm
medlately repudiated the statement.
Such statement" Senator Wat
son AIDED, was made without my
knowledge or consent, and is wholly
without authority from me or any
one having the right to represent
me-"
DR.. Evans was not present when
the statement was given out. Milton
Elrod, publicity representative of the
khan, acted for him. Elrod said the
Khan headquarters would e open for
business until the nd of the II
ton.
Public headquarters are being
at the Statler, but DR..
Evans and several of his closest adj
yisers have taken a private house
in one of the fashionable sections of
the city, where they will hold their
Evans arrived only this morning,
but sixty Ct his Co-Workers had been
here over Sunday, laying the ground
work They made a nasty report to
him and his statement followed.
The suggestion of an anti-klan
plank going into the platform was
secuted by leaders.
That's dead" icy said, with
grin.