Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-05
TWO STORIES OF ROW
HefIin BIames Johnson and
Johnson BIameS Heflin.
POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING
Representative Says Aggressive
Language Came From Autoist.
HE SAYS NOTHING OF BLOWS
Man Who Demanded Apology Says
Legislators Language Was
Vile and Insulting.
POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING
HE SAYS NOTHING OF BLOWS

Policemen of the first precinct. under
the direction of Capt. Hollinberser, are
today investigating the circumstances
leading up to exchange of words and
blows last night between Representative
Heflin of Alabama and Richard johnson.
an employee of the government printing
office
The fisticuff took place at 18th and G
streets. There are varying reports as to
the cause of the trouble.
Johnson was in an automobile with
John NJ. Dickson, the latter at the wheel.
At the corner of 18th and F. streets the
auto. says Helm. came dangerously near
striking him and his companion, Repre-
sentative Ollie James of Kentucky, who
| were strollins along F street.
Autos Number Taken.
Further along 18th street the represent
atives came across the auto standing
at the curb, and proceeded to take it's
number. with the idea. they declare. of
reporting the matter to the police. They
then passed along to hotel on 18th
street
There they found Mr. johnson. john
son rushed up to Representative Hefiin
and demanded an apology for his COM
ments at 18th and F. streets over the
automobile episode
Hef1in is alleged to have seized Johnson
by the collar and the fight was on. Blows
were delivered. Representative James,
with the assistance of Representatives
Clayton of Alabama and Fujo of Louis
lana, separated the combatants.
Mr.. Heflin was led into the hotel lobby
Johnson was taken in charge by friend
Friends of Representative Hef1in claim
that Johnson was the aggressor, and
that he seized Mr.. Heffiins cane and as
saulted him with it. This Mr.. Johnson
denies.
The police are gathering testimony to-
day in order to be prepared should ap-
plication be made for a warrant.
Johnson's Story Of ARRAY.
Richard Johnson, better known as
Dick Johnson. who was involved in the
trouble with Representative Heflin, said
today:
I'VE were coming W 10th street about
$40 o'clock yesterday evening. Repre-
sentatives Hetiin and James were going
west on street. They were talking
| earnestly together l was in an automo-
bile with John NJ. r. Dixon at the wheel.
"Mr. James looked up and happened to
see the automobile and stepped back on
the curb. We were going very slow Mr..
James became angry because we did not
stop until he passed.
Nothing further was thought of it I'M
til We reached a restaurant on 18th
street. Mr.. Heflin and Mr.. James ap-
preached and with many gesticulations
and with loud remarks took the number
of the auto.
'Mr. Dixon asked if knew their rea-
son for taking down the number
I'VE finally waited until they started
up the street and were near the Sun
building on F street. when Mr.. Dixon
accosted the two representatives in a
the trouble Representatives James and
Hef1n became very abusive and used
vile and vituperative language.
Il demonstrated. Mr. Hefiin burst out
with:
"'You don't know who l am am Rep
resentative Helm of Alabama, and want
to be treated with unusual respect when
spoken to on the street.
Not Scared by Representative.
Il remarked. You are Representative
Hef1in who was principal in a gun-play
Incident on a Pennsylvania avenue car
But that does not scare me bit
He then launched forth with more
vile language, calling me a number of
foul names. He also struck me with his
cane.
Feeling deeply aggrieved at the man.
ner in which l had been treated on the
public street, l went to the Riggs House,
where l believed Mr.. Heflin had gone.
for the purpose or demanding an apOl-
ogy. / approached him in a gentlemanly
way. l said to him:
"'You called me vile name I de-
mand an apology, and I demand 1t
now
He drew himself up to his full height
and said, I apologize to no one. Then
followed the blows"
Mr.. johnson says he believes he struck
| the first blow after seizing Helms
cane and throwing it away. He denies
cane.
Mr.. Johnson said today that while he
is not trying to back out of the matter,
having been goaded to desperation by the
language addressed to him. yet he feels
sorry for the occurrence. Had Mr.. Heflin
told him that the remarks were made in
the heat of passion at the time he asked
for apology. Mr.. johnson says he
would have closed the incident then and
there.
Helms Side Of It.
In behalf Of Representative Heflin the
following statement was made today:
Yesterday afternoon about $50 o'clock
Representatives James and Heflin were
walking up F street toward their hotel,
the Riggs House. and just as they had
stepped into 10Th street from the side
walk. on the same side of the street that
the old Treasury building is on, they
barely escaped being run over by an au-
tomobile in which there were two men,
nal was given and both gentlemen claim
n ho orptan U-ac he