Simmony?

Whether he got $146,500 or $145,500 or $90,000 (as variously reported) Emperor William Joseph Simmons, founder of the present organization, last week severed all connections with the Ku Klux Klan and with the Knights Kamelia, Inc. Emperor Simmons, inventor of many famous titles, such as Kleagle, Kloncilium, Klonsel, is the genius who in recent years revived the Klan from its fast growing obscurity.

The Klan had given him Klan Krest, his famous home on Peach Tree Road at Atlanta. It had honored him with the title of Emperor (the Klan's affairs are actively conducted by the Imperial Wizard through the Kloncilium). He had also received a "monthly annuity" of $1,000.

Some time ago trouble broke out between Emperor Simmons and Former Wizard Edward Young Clarke on the one hand and Imperial Wizard Hiram Wesley Evans on the other. Legal action was brought against the Evans group.

Last week it was announced that in consideration of about $145,000 and Klan Krest, his home, Simmons had resigned his monthly annuity and disposed of "his right, title and interest" in the Klan, with the additional agreement that all pending suits would be dropped and that he would not take part in any organization or movement opposed to the Klan or aiming at its disruption. Thereupon it was announced by the Evans faction that the "second degree" of the Klan would henceforth be given free, an honor for which Emperor Simmons previously charged $8.

Two days after signing the agreement Emperor Simmons founded the Knights of the Flaming Sword. He denied that he had sold all his "rights in connection" with "the Klan" but added that in order to "sever all relations in every manner, shape or form" his royalty of $1,000 a month was discounted and he had been paid $90,000 in cash. He added "a new movement, not antagonistic to the Klan, was launched here [Jacksonville] yesterday by citizens of Florida and elsewhere, of a national scope, of which I have the honor to be the head."