The daily banner., 1917-09-29

DsHotan Grape and Roll on the
Floor.
Washington, s pt. 29.-Congres%men
J. Thomas Heain. Democrat Ala
bama, and Patrick d. Norton. Repub-
lican, North DAKOTA, engaged in
fight cn the tioor OF the house Of rep
resentatives.
The encounter came as the climax
Of a gusty session. in which repre-
sentatiyes roundly scored the rules
committee for refusing to act on reso-
lutions that charges made by Mr.. Hef-
lin be investigated. One of the reso-
lutions had been introduced by Mr.
Norton.
The Hetiin charges were that thir-
teen or more members of congress
had acted snspiciOusly" about the
time Count Won Bernstorff, the former
German ambassador. had asked his
government for permission to spend
$4,000 to Influence" congress not TO
declare war.
During heated discussion which fol-
lowed the rules committees action,
Mr.. Norton went over to talk to Mr..
Hef1in
The fight started at once. The men
clinched and fell over on row of
seats. Friends from both sides of
the hall piled around and separated
them before blows were struck.
"Did YOU ever say I was disloyal,"
Mr.. Norton says he asked Mr. Helm
"No," Mr.. Heflin replied.
Norton then made some remark
about being as loyal as any one in
the house.
you get out of here" Mr.. Hefiin is
reported TO have said, rising IN his
seat Mr.. Norton stood still and
He1in erasped him by the coat Iapnls
Thev erappled. and when they fell
Norton was on top.
The house was in an uproar Sneak
er Clark banged for order while the
members leaped over seats and down
aisles TO reach the struggling men
The sergeant-at-arms, gr' ping the
mace, his badge OF authority. ran to-
ward the combatants. Disorder rel en-
ed in the galleries. Spectators rose
from their seats and rushed 10 the
rail 10 see into the pit Of the house
Friends led the men to the cloak
rooms. The only marks of combat
showed on Norton's white cclla", and
Mr.. Helms usually Immaculate white
shirt front Order was restored as
quickly as it had been disturbed.
The rules committees action was
explained by Representative Pou,
Democrat, North Carolina, the chair
man. in the following statement:
"In view of the information which
the committee on rules has received
TOR a nationwide inves igation of the
use of money furnished by the Ger
man government now being conducted
by the department Of judges, the comN
mittee on rules has decided to take
before it,"
Two members, Wood. Republican,
Indiana, and Kelly, Independent,
Pennsylvania. voted against the COM
mittee action. Representative Foster,
Democrat, Illinois, indicated he favor
ed an inquiry. but voted with the ma
iority.
When the committee report was pre-
sented. Mr. Pou made short speech.
This $4,000. mentioned in the Won
Bernstorff message, I might say he
said. '"is only drop in the bucket.
Why this situation reaches the very
nerve centers of this country. No
possible good could come Of this in
vestigation, as there has been no re-
Election on the house or any of its
members"
A dozen members on both sides
sprang to their feet demanding recog-
milton.
II notice" observed Representative
Gillette, Republican, Massachusetts,
the acting Republican leader, to great
applause, that you said no charge
had been made against any member
of the house. | wonder If you did
not deede that charge is made when
a member makes speech saving that
members opinions have been infu-
-nced by German money"