Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-30
HOUSE LEADERS prevent
NEW N u sLUSH FUND WRANGLE
Sudden Adjournment Finds Boil,
Heflin and Norton on Floor
Anxious to Speak.
MAY GET CHANCE ON MONDAY
Present Plans, However, Arc to Pre-
vent Either From Being Recog-
n1zed and Permitting Proposed In
quiry to Die Natural Death.
IBy Associated Press.l

tBy Assocat ted Press.l
WAS SIZING T . y. September %
i Careful management by House leaders
4 to-day prevented the wrangle over
tho German "slush fund which yes
terday resulted in n fight between Rep
1 resentative Heflin, of Alabama, and
Representative Norton. of North Da-
kota, from getting beyond 4 threaten
ing stage.
Sudden adjournment. after repeated
attempts by Representative Norton to
obtain permission to address the House.
found both Hetiin and Norton on the
floor with two undclivered speeches
before them, anxiously awaiting an
opportunity to renew verbal hostili-
ties. They may talk Monday, provided
House leaders relax their vigilance,
but at present plans are to prevent
either man from taking the floor and
permitting the proposed inquiry into
Helms charges that several members
have acted suspiciously'' TO die n nat
ural death.
Tho German "slusn" fund wrangIe
broke out again on the floor Of the
House to-day with the presentation Of
a letter by Chairman Pou, Of the Rules
Committee. from Secretary Lansing.
declaring the State Department had
no evidence indicating members OF
Congress had any connection with
Count Won BcrnstorT's $4,000 fund
Secretary Lansing wrote:
In respect to your inquiry over the
telephone to-day. addressed to the de-
partment. beg to inform you that the
department has no evidence that could
In any way connect member of Con-
Eress with the payment of money by
the German embassy in it's propaganda
activities"
Mr.. Lansing then quoted from his
statement OF September 80, saying he
did not see how Bernstorn's request TO
spend $50,os0 reflects upon Congress
or any member.
AS soon as the letter had been read.
Dakota and others demanded recorni-
ton.
Speaker Clark. seeming a rcpetition
of yesterdays row on the floor. de-
mands:
What is the gentlemen up TOP
Norton replied he wanted time TO
speak. and if he did not ge, il he
would object to consideration of bill
then before the House The Sneaker
refused the time, Norton objected. and
the House passed on TO another oues
ton.
galleries were crowded in expectancy
OF another clash. So was the floor.
sRinEside seats here, gentlemen" e.-
claimed Representative Macarthur. OF
oregon, as members filed in the door
.Dnring the discussion of the bill
Norton chattcd and laughed with
friends. Mr.. Helm seriously read his
latest statement from a newspaper.
both Representative Helm and Rem
resentative Norton yesterday afternoon
gave out statements
HONOR OF HOUSE INVOLVED.
DECLARES NORTON
Representative Norton said:
Il desired at the time the chairman
OK the Committee on Rules made bis
verbal report TO the House this after
noon concerning the decision of tho
committee as to the House resolution
No. 14S. introduced by Representative
Fordney, and House resolution No
15l, introduced by myself. to briefly
state my views in regard to the report
but was not permitted TO do so on
account OF objections. I believe that
the Rules Committee in it's report this
AFTERNOON set precedent that is weak
ana dangerous TO the fundamental prin-
ciples OF high trust and confidence on
which this House and on which our
form OF government were founded.
In fairness TO the House and TO tho
country and TO the newspaper men
involved. an opportunity should have
been given for full investigation of
the charges alleged to have been
made against the membership Of the
House by Representative IIenin. of Ala
bama, and representative Howard, of
Georgia. At least the testimony OF
the newspaper men involved should
have been taken to determine the
weight OF the denials made by repre-
sentative Helm and Representative
Howard.
from Its very character. this House.
> due to It's traditions. has tremendous
influence for good or for evil through
out the country. II the great tradi-
lions of this House for high honor and
integrity hare been so forgotten: If the
leadership OF this House has become so
weak and. feeble that statements pur-
porting to have been made by two
members OF this House, charging the
e{CN Riehmonds Lending Stntioner, ~
VI OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES NJ