The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-09-28
HOUSE PLANS TO
PUNISH HEFLIN
Inquiry for Charges and Won
BernstOrff's Bribery Sys-
tenn Assured.
Special Despdteh to THr Sus.

Special Despateh to TIE Sus.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27-A sweeping
investigation into the truth Of the
anonymous charges Of Representative
tions through which Count Won Bern
storff worked to try to influence Con-
gress was assured to-day. Representa-
tive Helm will be required to prove the
truth Of his statement that "thirteen or
fourteen" members OF the Senate and
House acted "suspiciously' In connec-
tion with the Bernstorfr "slueh fund" Of
1000. or be punished. As he has pub
licly admitted he can prove nothing, his
situation is regarded as very precarious.
The House was far from satisfied with
the action of the Rules Committee to-
day. which adjourned after hearing
Hehin. without taking action. Demo-
cratic leaders are as much II not more
incensed than Republicans over the i'll
advised remarks Of the Alabama MEM
ber. and promised tonight that IL the
Rules Committee failed to act to-mor-
row they would move TO take the resolu-
tion out OF its hands and handle II in
the House.
Mr.. Hefin's main plea before the COM
mittee to-day was that instead Of in
fvestigating the truth OF his utterances
Congress turn It's attention toward fnd-
| ing out what really was done with the
Bernstorfr ''elush fund" He succeeded
in alternating the sympathy OF some of
the Few who are standing by him by
obJecting to having the Speaker name a
committee to make him prove his state
ment or be punished. He wants such
d committee elected by the House.
Helm Becomes Excited.
During his speech before the commit
tee. which lasted an horr and half
and during which he became much ex-
cited. he denied newspaper reports about
his gambling game statement, charging
that German agents had hired news
paper men to misrepresent him, and
denied that the President was displeased
on account of his speech But he failed
to name directly the suspicious thirteen
or fourteen" and failed to prove his
charges made on the floor.
Mr.. Hefiin said he wanted to And out
who paid for the postage to circulate
literature urging support OF the Britten
measure to exempt German Americans
from the draft. and also the Mason
resolution to repeal the draft law. He
wanted Senator La Follette's anu-Ad-
ministration activities probed. and he
mentioned Representative Raer and
Representative Norton OF North Dakota
in the same indirect manner.
Representative Fordney. author Of an
other resolution demanding that Hefin
prove his statements or be punished by
the House. will not press ii unless the
Rules Committee fails to report to-nor-
row.
Getting hack to the subject of being
expelled from tho House. Mr.. Hefn
ds red Representative Norton. who was
present. to vote AYE" IL he was given
the opportunity. Mr.. Norton indicated
that he would do so with pleasure.
When members, Democratic and Re-
publican. learned Of the attitude Repre-
sentative Helm had taken to-day. senti-
ment crystallized into a general demand
for action by the House. Instead Of ex-
pulsion many of the more conservative
and cool headed members are now in
favor of a public reprmand for Mr.
Hefin, and suspension in the House for
a time.
Mr. Helm talked mysteriously about
an important letter being stolen from his
files
II he is expelled from the House. Mr..
Hef,in said. he Will carry his case to the
country.
Britten Makes Attack.
Representative Britten Ullinois) to-
day said:
Mr.. Hefin has done more than any
one man in Congress to destroy the ef-
hcency of the army and navy. During
his long service In the House he has
been a confirmed pacifist Of the lowest
order. and is now masquerading as a
war leader Hefin has consistently
voted against every increase In the navy
recommended by the Navy General
Board as well as in increases In the
army recommended by the General Staff.
u Is he and mon OF his ilk who are re-
sponsible for the country's unprepared-
! ness for great war to-day. He is the
same Hehin who suggested that the
White House should be blown UP by
bomb at the time President Roosevelt
entertained Booker T. Washington.
During all these years no one ac-
cused him Of being disloysl to the nag
nor Of treason, but regarded his ex-
pressions merely as opinions Of a MEM
ber Of the House Now. when Hefin
| ia seeking Senatorial honors In Ala
bama. he does not hesitate to besmirch
tho honor and integrity Of both branches
! Of Congress because he dsagrees In
! opinion with a number Of the members
He admits tina his siurring remarks are
I based entirely upon his personal opin-
| ion and are without one scntilla of
proof"
Mr.. Norton made this comment:
| III there Is any member in the House
who Is corrupt and who has taken Ger
man gold to influence his actions he
should be driven from the House at
| once. Likewise the House should not
| hesitate to cleanse itself from any mem
| ber who may have falsely charged any
member or members Of the House with
being corrupt and with having been the
khsasnciaries OF German gold."