New Britain herald., 1928-04-12
SIEPHENS0N'S TALE
 IS READ IN COURT.
El-Klan Officials Deposition
 Produced in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, April r R--Hearine on the injunction suit of the hu Klux kIan against five busted mcm- bers proceeded in federal court here today with the reading of a deposl- ton by D. C. Stephenson, former klan leader of Indiana who is now serving a life term in that state for the murder of a woman.
 Having thrown out the counter suit of the former members who sought to restrain the kian from op- erating in Pennsylvania and asked for a receivership for the order and an accounting of all funds, Judge w, II, s. Thomson told Van A. Bar rickman, defense counsel, 10 read only that part Of the deposition ma terial to the issues now before the court.
 Earrickman proceeded 10 read sec tions of the deposition bearing upon the suit of the klan. which seeks S5nn.OO0 damages from the five members and an injunction to re- strain them from interfering with the klan and conducting initiatlons- Whe Barrickman started 10 read . part of the deposition dealing with stephenson's story as to how Hiram w. Evans gained his position as ln- neriat wizard of the I<lan, John Con naurhton, plaintiff counsel. obJcct- ed and was sustained. the court holding it was controversial and threw no light on the questions at issue.
 Another objection vas upheld when Rarrickman started to read question hc put to Stephenson ask inR if Evans had had anything to do with Stephenson's imprisonment in Tdiaua-
 connauyhton objected to another question 10 Stephenson as to now the Klan planned to control courts and legislatures.
 Barrickman then came to thai part of the deposition where he had asked the ex-1ndiana klan leader who was responsible for the murder of Captain w. S. Cobnrn, Atlanta Ca. attorney. Connaughton objected and Judge Thomson upheld him sayinR. T don't want to so into murder trial in another state,'
 Stephenson's allegation that fhf Elan used women to besmirch tht characters of certain men. Wal stricken out.
 Sections of the deposition per ualtted to go into the record over ob lection by Klan counsel were:
 Stephenson's charge that Eran' dragons were instructed by Evans t' follow hts orders blindly. and tha if they failed to do so they would h' unseated, punished. and their char acters attacked.
 stephensons allegation that tn ..Black Mask Robe" gang was au thorized by Evans and that this wa the official robe when klansine' went on killing and whipping par ties, especially in the south.
 Stephenson's charge that Evan told him and boasted that negr had been burned at the stake T. Texas: that klansmen had cut off nerro's ears: and that xxx ha been branded on the forehead Of an other negro.
 stephenson's allegation that tn "Purple Robe Gang of Philadel phia, also known as the 'Deat Battalion" was headed by Charle Lewis and . man named Winters.
 Stephenson's testimony that afte . riot in Perth Amboy. N. J.. l 1923, Evans told him If the Nla can make it look as if we are beln persecuted, 1t will help increase ou membership"
 The final defense witness va Ralph Wolfe, of Carnegie, Pa, Wh said he was a former private kla investigator. employed by s. l Rich, former grand dragon of Penn sylvania.
 He said Rich ordered him 10 g 10 Uniontown, Pa, and destroy tn olant of the "Watchman," a pape edited by William Likins. forme Klan member, because Llk'ns wa publishing stories detrimental to th Klan. He said he refused to carr out the order.
 When Wolfe left the stand th Klan attorneys called rcbuttal WI nesses.