Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-28
Rules Committee Refuses
to Act on Investigation
Resolution.
DECIDES TO AWAIT
LEGAL INQUIRY
Action Delayed Because Of Investiga-
tion Under Way by Department Of
Justice-Hefin Names Five Members
Of House Whose Actions He Consid-
ers Suspicious in Connection With
Distribution Of Bernstorff,s Fund.

Distribution Of Bernstortf's Fund.
Washington, Sept. 2S.--The row in
the house over Representative Heflins
charges eliminated today in fist
fight between Helfin and Representa-
tive Norton, his chief critic. Friends
soon separsrted them.
Washington, Sept. 2s.-After heat
ed discussion today the house rules
committee refused to act on resolu-
tions proposing congressional invest-
cation of Representative Helms
charges that number Of members or
congress had acted suspiciously
about the time Count Won Bernstorff
asked his government for authority to
spend $4,000 to influence congress on
the submarine warfare ISSUE" Com
mittee Chairman Pou issued the fol-
lowing statement:
In view of the information received
by the committee on investigation now
being conducted by the department. OF
Justice the committee on rules has de-
cided to take no action on the several
resolutions before It,"
Two members-Wood, of Indiana,
and Kelly, of Pennsylvania - voted
against the committee action. Repre-
sentative Foster, Of Illinois. also indi-
Gated that he favored an inquiry, but
voted with the majority.
Accuses Five Members.
AZ q sessionsof the rules committee
Representative IIafiin Of
Alabama, named five members of the
national legislature whose attitude to-
ward the American cause he ques-
toned.
A. special rule was prepared for
presentation In the house today calling
for immediate passage of resolution
providing for an inquiry into the at
tempts thru organizations and indi-
,viduals to induce senators and repre-
sentatives to stand against war.
To finance this campaign Won
Bernstorff asked authority of his gov
ernment to expend $50,0O0 and notified
Berlin that he was proceeding with the
scheme. ...
Names Two Chicagoans.
of receiving German money, but in
sisted upon an investigation Of the ac-
tivities of the men he named.
The officials he mentioned are:
Robert NJ. La Toilette. senator from
Wisconsin.
William f. Mason, representative at
large from Illinois.
Fred A. Britten representative from
the Ninth Illinois district.
Patrick d. Norton, representative
from North Dakota.
John NJ. Baer, representative from
North Dakota.
La Toilette, Mason and Britten voted
against and Norton for the declaration
OF war on Germany. Baer was not q
member OF the house when war was
declared.
Mason Opposes Draft.
Mason was mentioned by Heflin as
the author of the bill to repeal the Sc
lective draft law, copies OF which this
representative at large has sent broad
cast thruout Illinois. This bill is sleep
ing In committee pigeon hole. s..
Britten aroused Heflin's suspicious
by introducing a bill to exempt at their
own request German americans with
close ties Of kinship with their father
land from serving in the army. Brit
ten said his bill has been Endorsed by
high army officers.
La Toilette, Heflin complained, is
speaking inivarious parts Of the coun-
try against the selective draft.
Heflin said he had heard Baer was
sent to congress by a constituency op-
posed to the war.
Norton was accused Of seeking the
expulsion Of Heflin to divert attention
from the activities of the pacifists and
pro- Germans. .....
War Tax Bill Nearly Completed.
The war tax bill increased to levy
about 7OO,O0O,00O was today in the
last stges Of completion. Final draft
ing and printing of the conferees'
agreement was Il progress with formal
approval planned at late afternoon
meeting.
At the conclusion Of the final con-
ference, Senator Simmons and Repre-
sentative Kitchin, heading the respec-
tive conferees, planned to make public
the results Of the two weeks confer
snCG, hSsa i-s .s.