Evening star., 1932-04-27
.BANKHEAD REPLIES
TO HELM ATTACK
Says He Has Sought to
Avoid Bringing Politics
Into Judicial Case"
Nv the Associated Press.


Senator John H. Bankhead Of Ala
bama replied in the Senate today to the
appeal made yesterday by mis- predeces-
sor, ]. Thomas Hefiin, that he be un-
seated.
He began by quoting Senator Hast
ings, Republican of Delaware, as hav-
ing said that in passing on an election
contest Senators occupy judicial po-
sition.
Bankhead then said that since he
came to the Senate he has done no
"electioneefing" and has carefully re-
Trained from talking with Senators on
the matter.
"I have not in any way pressed my
claim" he said, explaining that he
wholly agreed with Hastings.
Stands on Facts, He Says.
"I have been content for the members
to pass on the law and the facts In the
case as they may be directed by their
Judgment and their consciences."
He added that he had not wanted to
inject any political controversy Into
judicial case.
Bankhead's manner Of address was
unadorned and in contrast to the ora
torical style of Heflin, who yesterday
IOlQ Jlle O6lldIS III d llfC-llOul oPNSSAA
that he had been robbed" in the elec-
tion.
Master Of impassioned phrases in the
old tradition of public speaking, Heflin
employed every talent he possessed In
the desperate battle against political
eclipse, and was rewarded with such
burst Of gallery applause, as he
brought his plea to smashing end,
that the Senate peremptorily ousted all
spectators.
Hardly ever does that chamber treat
the galleries so harshly, but with Hef1in
drama ended, the listeners were ready
to 60 and there were no hard feelings.
Heflin cannot win back his seat un-
less he succeeds in new election In
his home State, for should the Senate
hold with him that the 1880 contest
in which Bankhead defeated him was
marked by widespread fraud and ir-
regularity, it could only declare the
seat vacant, compelling Alabama to
elect two Senators this Fall, as Hugo
Blacks term ends in March.
In the five hours he spoke, Hef1in
renewed all the charges that have
been aired in the contest, asserted he
had been robbed" and put on the
spot"
He termed the Alabama group that
barred him from the Democratic pri-
mary because he refused to support
Alfred E. Smith two years earlier, the
worst political machine outside OF
Tammany, Philadelphia and Pitts
burgh."
Called "Wild VapOrings."
A statement by Heflin that he had
lead" that money was spent against
his reelection through the office OF
Representative McDuffie of Alabama
was described by the latter today as
wild vaporings of a defeated candi-
date" Hefiin made the assertion yes
terday in his lengthy address.
Having had Mr.. Hefiin's remarks
brought to my attention" McDuffie
said, "I think the country recognizes
sessed and in his extremity doubtless
made statements he would not make
under normal conditions.
He spoke of a lead to the effect
money was spent for the Bankhead
campaign through my Office and my
secretary. Both my secretary and my
self have been in Washington and
available to the Senate subcommittee
that investigated the election during
all these many months it has been sit
ting. I regret the so-called lead was
not followed up.
The people Of Alabama, even the
followers Of the former Senator, are
satisfied with the results of the elec-
ton. I have never known a Statewide
election where there was so little fraud
and corruption as that in which Mr.
Bankhead was elected and Mr.. Heflin
defeated.
Il have too many important things
to attend to to listen to the wild va
porings Of defeated candidate"