Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-29
Clash Between Norton and
Heflin LiVenS House Day
Tackles Alabama Congress
man on Charge of Being
Disloyal.
Congress Will Not Investigate
Whether Members Accepted
German Money.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2s-Acrimo-
NOUS debate eliminating in a physi
cal encounter between Representatives
Heflin of Alabama and Norton of
North Dakota was precipitated in the
house today by a report of the rules
committee that ii 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 were clamoring for an op-
portunity to address the house and
other members who want an inquiry
were striving to have one ordered in
spite of the committees report. Dis
cussion will be resumed tomorrow
with demands from both sides of the
house for investigation OF Mr.. Hefins
charges that several members have
not acted Loyalty.
Inquiry Not Timely
Chairman Pou explained in 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 of justice. He said
Representative Hefln had not re-
Elected on the integrity of any mem
Der of the house and had spoken in
the heat of debate. Some loud groans
greeted the latter sentiment. Repre-
sentative Britton of Illinois, who had
been criticized by Mr.. Heflin for in
PRODUCING a measure for exempting
COMMUNICATIONS from military SER
vice shouted that a measure to expel
Heflin should be considered i'm
mediately
In the midst of the storm Represen-
tatlve Stcenerson of Minnesota
switched the debate to other business
and thenceforth save for the few min
utes in which Hefln and Norton had
, their near fight the subject was not
broached until just before adjourn
| ment.
The clash started during a lull in
the proceedings after Norton had been
refused time TO reply to reports that
Heflin had said he was disloyal. 1t
came most Unexpectedly to the fifty
or more members present.
Norton Starts Rumpus.
After failing to get the floor Norton
went thru the Republican side to the
back of the house and walked down
the Democratic side until he faced
ing. After gazing steadily at Heflin
for a moment Norton spoke:
Did you ever say at any time or
give out any report TO anyone that
was disloyal in this war;" he asked.
mo l did not" replied Heflin.
There was a moments silence during
which Norton continued to glare at
Heflin, who still was seated.
go back to your own side" the
Alabama member said.
"I'll go back when 1 get ready"
Norton responded.
Tries to Put Norton Back.
Then Heflin rose, gfasped Norton
| by the coat lapels and began backing
him toward a row OF seats Norton,
,he lighter of the two by fifty pounds.
came back with vigorous push that
drove the Alabaman back against
seats across the aisle. A moment
later an assistant sergeant at arms
and several members pulled the men
apart while Sergeant at Arms Gordon
! hurried down the aisle to display his
massive mace, the historical symbol
of authority, the mere lifting of
which is supposed to reduce TO fear
and quell the most obstreperous.
Members flocked from both sides
of the house and poured out of cloak
rooms toward the scene of action
many climbing over benches in their
|
the combat be permitted TO continue
Representative Johnson of K<n-
lucky in the chair. pounded frantic
ally with his gavel and shouted for
order.
Representative Heflin began back
ing Republicans, who, led by Rep
resentative Cooper of Wisconsin and
Representative Baer of North Dakota,
were swarming across the dividing
aisle to the Democratic side.
"Go on back on your own side or
you will get hurt" he cried, indicat-
ing his willingness to take on other
opponents.
Take off your guns and you will
have chance" Representative
Cooper replied. But the hostilities
were over. Mr.. Norton and the other
Republicans withdrew, while the Ala
bama member Strengthened out his
vest and resumed writing Mr.. Nor
ton reappeared on the floor after a
few moments and also began writing
The galleries remained full thruou'
the rest of the day with visitors vainly
hoping for resumption of the conflict
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