OCR Text |
Show STARTS ON tsji y j iff Heflin of Alabama and Norton of North Dakota Da-kota F'rincipal3 in a Bloodless Battle, Precipitated Pre-cipitated by Announcement Announce-ment That Inquiry Resolutions Res-olutions Will Not Be Reported. OTHER MEMBERS SWARM THE AISLES Cooper of Wisconsin and Baer of South Dakota Da-kota Anxious to Mix in and Former Ask3 the Southerner to Take Off His Guns, but the Hostilities Are Over. WASHINGTON, Sept. 28. Hot debate, de-bate, culminating in a physical encounter encoun-ter between Representatives Heflin of Alabama and Norton of North Dakota, was precipitated in the house today by a report from the rules committee that it had decided not to act on any of the various resolutions for an inquiry into whether members of congress have been influenced by German money. At adjournment tonight the two belligerents bel-ligerents were clamoring for an opportunity oppor-tunity to address the house and other members who want an inquiry were striving to have one ordered in spite of the committee's report. Discussion will be resumed tomorrow with demands from bath sides of the house for investigation investi-gation of Mr. lleflin 's charges that several sev-eral members have not acted loyally. Chairman Pou explained in submitting submit-ting the rules committee report that an inquiry would interfere with sweeping investigation of the use of German money now being made by the department depart-ment of justice. He said Representative lleflin had not reflected on the integrity integri-ty of any member of the house and had spoken in the beat of debate. Groans Greet Statement. Some loud groans greeted the latter statement. Representative Britten of Illinois, who had been criticized by llr. Heflin for introducing a measure to exempt ex-empt German-Americans from military service, shouted that a resolution to expel ex-pel Heflin should be considered immediately. imme-diately. In the midst of the storm Representative Representa-tive Steenerson of Minnesota switched the discussion to other business and thenceforth, save for the few minutes in which Heflin and Norton had their near-fight, the subject was not broached until just before adjournment. The clash started during a lull in the proceedings after Norton had been re-lused re-lused time to reply to reports that Heflin Hef-lin had said he was disloyal. Jt came most unexpectedly to the fifty or more members present. Norton Crosses Over. After failing to get the floor, Norton went through the Republican side to the back of the house and walked down :he Democratic side until he faced Heflin. Hef-lin. who was seated at a table writing. Neither man greeted the other, but, after gating steadily at Heflin for a moment, Norton spoke: ''Did you ever say at any time, or give out any report to anyone that 1 was disloyal in this war?'' he asked. "No; I did not,'' Heflin replied. There was a moment's silence during which Norton continued to glare at Heflin. Hef-lin. who still was seated. ''Go back on your own sjde,''- said the Alabama member. "T'U go back when I get readv, " Norton responded. Fight Begins. Then Heflin rose, grasped Norton by the coat lapels Jind began backing him toward a row of scats. Norton, the lighter of the two by fifty pounds, came back with a vigorous push which drove the Alabaman's hack against seats across the aisle. A moment later an assistant sergcant-at-arms and several sev-eral members pulled the men apart, while iMTgcantat-Arms Gordon hurried down the ;iile to display hi- nias.-ive injii'p, the hisrorir symbol ol' authority, tin; mere lifting of which is unloosed to reduce to tear and quiet the most obstreperous. ob-streperous. Members flocked from both blcs nf the house and poured out of el oak rooms toward the scene of action, many climbing over bene hen in their haste. Some lanhinly ured that the combat bo permitted to continue. Representative Johnson of Kentucky, in the chair, pounded frantically with his a vcl and shou ted for order. Swarm Across Aisle. Representative Heflin beyan to wave back Republicans who, led by Representative Repre-sentative Cooper of Wisconsin ami Representative Rep-resentative tiaer of North i'akota, were : swarming across tlio dividing aisle to the Democratic side. ''(Jo on back on your own side or you will xot hurt,'' he cried, indicating his willingness to take on other opponents. "Take off your guns and you will have a chance," replied Representative Cooper. Flut the hostilities were over. Norton and the ot her Republicans withdrew, while the Alabama member straightened out his vest and resumed writing. Norton Nor-ton reappeared on the floor after a few moments and also began writing. The galleries remained full throughout the rest of the Hay, with visitors vainly hoping for resumption uf the entertainment. entertain-ment. There ha ve been various clashes in the house in the past. The last one actually ac-tually on the floor and between members, mem-bers, Speaker (.'lark said tonight, was staged bv Representative Mondell of Wyoming and Delegate Wiekershain of Alaska. Statements Issued. Roth Representatives Heflin and Norton Nor-ton issued statements tonight, the former expressing regret that he would not have a chance to question some members before be-fore an investigation committee and the latter criticising the rules committee for refusing to hear two witnesses concerning remarks made by the Alabama member. Mr. Heflin also 'said he had been misquoted mis-quoted as saying he wanted an investigating investi-gating committee named by the Democratic Demo-cratic caucus, and that what lie did say was that he wanted the house to appoint the committee and wanted loyal Democrats Demo-crats and Republicans on it. |