The Washington times., 1921-07-24
THREAT
.HALTS QUIZ
ON Stacker.
Hearing Stampsdes When Con-
gressman Battles
Colleagues.
by international News Service.


The short and ugly word, followed
by what threatened to be lively
physical encounter, brought 4 sud-
den adjournment of the House com
mittee Investigating the escape of
Grover C. Bergdoll. millionaire
,laeker. yesterday afternoon.
Congressman Ben johnson of Ken
tucIy accused Charles Braun, Of
Philadelphia, brother Of Bergdoll.
who was on the witness stand, of
not telling the truth.
You lie." shouted Braun.
Then the fun began.
johnson Jumped to his feet and
reached for q rear pocket. where
Southern gentlemen are popularity
supposed to carry firearms.
In q flash Congressman Peters of
Massachusetts, and Major Bruce
Campbell, another witness, were
upon johnson, pinning him down and
refusing to allow him to move de-
spite his struggles
The dirty, flaS hating
yelled johnson. strug-
Hiins to loose himself from his cap
tors.
The committee has adjourned
shouted Peters, the chairman. above
the uproar. Clerks and members
used every effort to cleaH the room.
'Is this committee to let this dirty
fellow leave here unpunlshedf"
shouted johnson, still struggling. II
am the man 30 punish him."
No." said Peters. still holding
johnson and refusins to permit him
to enter into conflict with Braun
Braun Eyades QUESTION:
Braun, who had his name changed
by court order after his brothers,
Grover and Erwin, had been brand
ed as slackers. had been testifyins
about advice which he alleged had
been given his mother. Mrs Berg
doll. by General Sherbourne. counsel
for the investigating committee
johnson had apparently been at
tempting to show that Sherbourne
was favoring Mrs. BergdolL Braun
had evaded questions just before he
was accused by johnson and the
break came.
Sergeant-at-Arms Rogers took
Braun by tho arm. Come with me-"
said Rogers, and Braun went out
quietly.
II said he lied" yelled johnson.
He has lied. We let woman get
away from contempt Of this com
mittee and the House. Is this man
to get away? 1 am the man to
punish him."
All the time johnson was shout
ing he was searching his clothing
for a weapon. The crowd of wit
nesses broke for the door of the CON-
mittee room.
There were shrieks Of Hold himl'
from two or three women in the
room. and the crowd jammed In the
narrow doorway.
Get Braun away" Sergeant-ar-
Arms Rogers was ordered.
BY that time Braun and Rogers
had disappeared. They were soon
on their way to the Union Station.
Rogers saw Braun safely on his
train for Philadelphia
Says Mother Complained.
Braun said his mother complained
to him frequently of the opening of
her letters. He could not remember
that she stated any special letter and
he had no knowledge of any fetter
to his mother from Grover making
charges against army officers and
attorneys.
When Johnson tried to press Braun
to remember discussions with his
mother Braun said he was not un-
willing to testify.
"If / were / would stand on my
constitutional rights and refuse to
testify" he said. II am still under
indictment for aiding in the escape
of Grover. / may be Prosecuted again
as I have been In the past" ex-
claimed Braun.
when will II be convenient for
your wife to come here" asked
Johnson.
"I don't know" said Braun.
Braun and James e. Romig, a
<CaAtinued on PaSA 4 Csluun A.