The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-25
Sends to Rules Committee Res.
olution Demanding Thor
ough Investigation
NORTON, NORTH DAKOTA,
MAKES BITTER ATTACK
Wants HeAin. of Alabama. and
Howard. of Georgia, Com
PEELED to Substantiate
Charges of Suspicious Con-
duct on Members Part

Washington, Sept. 24-After the
stormiest session in years the house
Of representatives this afternoon sent
to the rules committee a resolution
demanding Il thorough investigation of
the statement made by Representative
Hefin. Of Alabama, h a thirteen to
fourteen members had beer acting
suspiciously The investigation grows
OF the publication by the state de-
partn1ent Of correspondence showing
that Count Won Rernstrof, former
German ambassador at Washington,
had "A ."siush fund to influence con-
gressional action.
Representatives Hefin. Howard n
others. who believe some OF their col
leagues have been influenced by Ger
man money. will have a chance to
explain their suspicions.
The resolution was introduced by
Representative Fordney, or Michigan.
1t calls on Speaker Clark to appoint
a committee OF seven members to
make the Investigation. The com
mittee will be allowed $4,000 for eA-
penses. Its work must be finished in
ten days.
9Sasaesn sEsslts for sShesx Dczn.
Norton, OF North Dakota. wound
up a bitter attack ON Hefin and
Howard with a resolution demanding
that they substantiate charges reflect
ing ON the integrity OF congress. or be
punished properly. The rules com
mittee viii report tomorrow on both
resolutions.
The Fordney and Norton resoIu-
ton completely upset the Democratic
program Chairman Flood OF the
foreign relations com mittee had been
planning TO introduce a resolution
calling for a probe OF the $4,000
Bernstorn slush fund and it's appli-
cation to congress. He was deferred.
II was said today. by the lukewsrm-
OF the administration on the plan.
Norton really Started the fireworks.
1T has been evident during the
past TWO years" declared Norton, that
there has heen an attempt by certain
Interest and newspapers to destroy the
Of the American people in
the house NJ representatives
NO individual, but the whole con-
sress has been CHARGED with dishon.
esty, lack Of ability and corruption.
The people have been given A had
opinion of congress in that way and
they believe the charge,
But what will they think" he ask
when the gentleman from Ataha-
ma. Mt Helm. savs he can point to
or fourteen men who 'ha We
acted suspiciously' and charges infer
enttally that they got part OF the $40
ooo Eernstorf, fund.-"
After reading from a WASHINGTON
newspa per a statement BY Represen-
tative Hefin. of Alabama. to the eff
feet that he could point to some
who had proftsd from the
fund. Norton went on:
II shall offer a resolution very
requiring the two gentlemen
] have named to prove their state
'nents or sulaxAit them selves to the
punishment they SO richly deserve"
Hcfin Rises To Personal Privilege.
As the house burst into applause.
fiefiin rose to a point of personal pri-
When Speaker Clark. after
minutes OF strenuous saval
welding, managed to restore order
lIefin declared he had been misouot-
I'd In the newspaper from which Nor
ton read.
II made no such statement" he de-
that money had reached
of congress 1t seems that
house wants to take snap tudc-
Gent-" he added. but Vas i%nterrupt-
n warned 10 stick to his point
personal privilege.
II do not know OF any member Of
- ~ Aikit0tjttE1 Nv tilt &
8ernstorf I und" Hefin resumed
and never said SO. | said Il were
allied upon and permitted To 10 SO,
could name several gentlemen whose
conduct have been suspicious"
WI YOU rs Hfe thetnan asked Re-
reSentatfre earn way, OF Arkansas.
Iiet4a- fguor-
Question and tho house broke into
shout OF name them. name them
speaker Clark managed to restore
rider but only after warning this
he would cali on the sergeant
I arms tn prevent disturbances.
Helm then caused a fresh outburst
With this charge:
II do say that there are spies here
In the gallery. ard they have
sessi .nere throughout the ninser.
Panden1nniurl broke loose, several
thinking Helm meant there
spies on the floor OF the house.
foore. Of Pennsylvania. demanded
sCoattnusd N Second Pasa1