Yorkville Enquirer

ATLANTA, January 11: William Joseph Simmons, founder and emperor of the Ku Klux Klan, and Edward Young Clarke, at one time acting imperial wizard, of the organization, have been banished from the klan for their active opposition to the regime headed by Dr. H. W. Evans, imperial wizard. It was announced here today in klan circles. In a statement issued here Clarke declared he was not surprised at the development, declaring that "the attempt was made because Evans and his associates are desperate and realize it is only for a short time they will be able to hold the reins of the organization and trample in the dust of the foundation, principles and ideals of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan." He declared that not Dr. Evans nor the imperial kloncilium, nor the body of dragons has the legal right to banish either himself or Emperor Simmons and asserted that the real reason for the attempted banishment was an effort to stop the gathering of klansmen at the national congress, which he had called to meet in Atlanta February 26. The klan official said he would make a "regular formal appeal against the banishment through the regular courts of the order and then to civil courts of the state if it becomes necessary."