Omaha daily bee., 1917-09-30
CLASH IN HOUSE
RESULT OF CHARGES
Heflin and Norton Stage
Wrestling Match, Which
Ends When Friends Sep
arate the Grapplers.
(By Associated Press.)

tative Heflin of Alabama and Repre-
sentative Norton of North Dakota.
from getting beyond a threatening
stage.
Sudden adjournment after repeated
attempts by Representative Norton to
obtain permission to address the
house, found both Norton and Heflin
on the floor with two undelivered
speeches befo.e them, anxiously
awaiting an opportunity to renew
verbal hostilitics. They may talk
Monday, provided house leaders relax
their vigilance, but at present plans
are to prevent either man from TAX
ing the floor and to permit the pro-
posed inquiry into Hefin's charges
that several members have acted sus-
piciously" to die a natural death.
| Speaker Clark, scenting repetition
OF yesterdays row on the floor, de-
manded: What is the gentleman up
to7"
Norton replied he wanted time to
speak, and if he did not get it, he
would object to consideration OF a bill
then before the house. The speaker
refused to grant him time. Norton
objected, but the house passed on to
another question. The galleries were
crowded in expectancy OF another
clash; so was the floor. -.
"Ringside seats here, gentlemen"
exclaimed Representative Macarthur
of Oregon, as members filed in the
door.
Washington, Sept 2S.--Hot debate.
eliminating in a physical encounter
between Representatives Hehin OF Al
ALBANIA and Norton of North Dakota,
was precipitated in the house today
after a report from the rules commit
tee that II had decided not to act on
any OF the various resolutions for an
| inquiry into whether members of con-
gress have been influenced by Ger
man money.
Would Expel Heflin.
At adjournment tonight the two
beligerents were clamoring for an
opportunity 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.. Hell
Inns charges that several members
| have not acted loyalty.
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 Hehin had not re-
fected on the integrity of any mem
Der OF the house and had spoken in
| the heat OF debate. Some loud groans
greeted the latter statement. Repre-
sentative Britten pf Illinois, who had
been criticised by Mr.. Hefiin for in
Producing a measure to exempt Ger
man-Americans from military service,
shouted that resolution to expel
Hehin should be considered ir1inedi-
ately. b
| In the midst OF the storm Repre-.
sentative Steenerson of Minnesota
switched the discussion to other busi-
ness and thenceforth, save for the
few minutes in which Heflin and Nor
ton had their near fight, the subject
was not broached until just before
| adjournment. %" "'@ H. ~
| Clash is Unexpected. ...
| The clash started during lull in
| the proceedings after Norton had
been refused time to replyto reports
that Heflin had said lie was disloyai.
II came most unexpectedly, to the
| fifty members present.
| After failing to get the floor, Nor
ton went through the republican side
to the back of the house and walked
down the democratic side until he
faced Heflii, who was seated at a ia.
bic writing. Neither man greeted the
other, but after gazing steadily at
Hefin for a moment Norton spoke:
! did YOU say at any time. or give
out any report to anyone that l was
disloyal in this warf" he asked.
mo, did not. Hefin replied.
There was moments silence dur
ing which N~rton continued to glare
at Heflin, who still was seated.
Go bach on v6ur own side" said
the Alabama member.
"Pll go back when I get ready"
Norton responded. a.
Merry Row Begins.
Then hef1in ro.e rrasped Norton
by the coat iapels and began backing
him toward a row ri seats. Norton
the lighter of the two by fifty pounds
came back with a vigorous push which
drove the Alabaman's back agains,
seats across the aisle. A moment
later an assistan. sergeant at arms
and several members pulled the men
apart, whil.~Sergeant at Arms Cor.
don hurried Town the aisle to display
his massive mace. the historic symbol
OF authority, the mere lifting oi
which is supposed to reduce to fear
and quiet the most ohstreperous.
Members hocked from both sides
of the house and poured out of cloak.
rooms toward the scene of action
many climbing over benches in their
haste. Some laughingly urged tha,
the combat be permitted to continue
Representative Johnson of Ken.
tucky in The chair pounded frantically
with his gavel AMI shouted for order
Represei tative' Hehin began tc
wave back republicans who. led BY
: Representative Cooper of Wisconsin
and Representative Baer of North
Dakota. wee swarming across the
dividing aisle to the democratic side
II Go back on your own side or vor
will get hurt" he cried, indicating his
WILLINGNESS to take on opponents.
Take Of YOUR, grns, and you will
have q chance" replied Representa-.
tive Cooper.
. But the hostilit;es were over. Mr.
Norton a75 the other republican.