Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-19

gallery are going 10 give out notice
that Senator Hefiin was rebuked By
the Democratic side. II isn't true. It
was distinctly understood In the con-
ference that the resolution was not 10
he considered a rebuke.
Denounces Critics.
"Those who took advantage OF my
absence TO speak harshly of me are
towards. They don't dare to stand up
10 my face. They were told in that
conference this morning that II AL
Smith is nominated. New York will go
Republican"
Upon what does the Senator base his
information" demanded Senator Moses.
Does the Senator from New Hamp-
shire want me to give him what Demo-
Gratis do in conference" replied Sena-
tor Hefiin.
will the Senator from Alabama tell
the galleries and the country what hap
pened in the Democratic conference
which he did not attend?" said Senator
Moses
Senator Simmons Of North Carolina
interrupted 1T may be that the Re-
pubicans have conferences which are
secret" he said, but have not under
stood that the Democratic conferences
are secret"
II regret" said Senator Moses. "that
the Senator from Alabama had not
sufficient notice OF the conference, al
though he was on the floor yesterday.
and in the record see that the SEN
ator from Arkansas gave notice OF this
conference. The Senator from Ala
bama. although not present at the con-
ference, undertakes To tell what hap
pened. Obviously. was not there, but
understand that the vote on the reso-
luton was 35 to !. and that the one
Senator who voted with the Senator
from Alabama really didn't wish TO op-
pose the leadership OF the Senator from
Arkansas. In other words. the one ally
Of the Senator from Alabama wanted
TO keep 1t a dark secret"
Some of the Democratic Senators
were clearly perturbed today over the
raising OF the religious issue in the
Senate by Senator Hefiin and Senator
RObinson's criticism Of the Alabams
Senator. They saw in IL seeds o.
further party disruption. One of the
most prominent Democrats from the
South deplored the calling of the con-
ference today, although he predicted
that Senator Robinson's leadership
would be overwhelmingly Endorsed. The
Democrats are fearful Of the effects
which the controversy may have back
home.
Republican Senator's. on the other
hand. were inclined to twit the Demo-
Gratis on their party troubles. They
saw in the controversy newly arisen
only an advantage TO the Republican
party in the coming campaign.
Houston. Hef1in and Harmony
was the slogan suggested for the Demo
Gratis by one OF the Republicans.
In some Democratic quarters IL was
said that the action taken by the Sem
ate Democrats today would be con-
strued by the country generally as ar
Endorsement of the recommendations
made by Senator Robinson that reli-
giols issues should not be interjectec
into the debates of the Senate. or into
the national campaign.
There vas difference OF opinion as
10 whether the action taken By the
Democratic conference would be effec-
tive in allaying party discord. Some
the fat is in the fire" and that II
would be difficult in the extreme now
TO get away from this controversy.
Hefiin Starts Row.
Events leading up TO the calling O.
the caucus started yesterday afternoon
on the floor of the Senate when Senate,
Hefiin denounced Gov Smith. declaring
his nomination would lead 20 a sweep
ing defeat OF the Democrats and az
tackled the Catholic Church. asserting
that ii was back Of the forged docu'
ments, published b. Hearst. which in.
volved himself and three other Sena'
tors.
At the end OF his scathing speech
Senator Robinson. the Democratic
leader of the Senate took Senate.
Hefiin 10 task and said there was nc
evidence presented before the specia.
committee which investigated the docu-
ments connecting the Catholic Church
with them. Senator Robinson Is q
member OF the committee.
Beginning with Helms criticism O!
Hearst for his publication Of the MeXi-
can siush fund documents. the drama
moved TO its startling Climax after the
Alabaman had demanded Robinson
removal from the committee which in
vestigated the scandal Robinson
quickly met that challenge with q re-
quest iha, the Senate vote at once or
the question OF his removal. but HefiI
objected.
Hef;in had attributed publication oi
the purported Mexican documents, nam
ing him and three other Senators a.
! siuSh fund oenefciaries, 20 Roman
Catholic Church conspiracy against
him. HIS demand for Rob.nsor's rccar
/ from the committee followed the la;-
ters declaration, supported by oths: