Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-03-28
New Hoffman Attack
On Winche|I Throws
House Into Uproar
Ey the Associated Press,

Cs the ASSOCIATED Press.
T A near free-for-all threw the
House into an uproar yesterday as
Representative Hoffman, Republi-
can, of Michigan. renewed his biting
attacks on Walter Winchell, radio
broadcaster, declaring "the truth
just isn't in Winchell."
In the ensuing battle, members
yelled at each other, the galleries
demonstrated in violation of the
rules and the Speakers gavel
pounded furiously.
Mr.. Winchell, who has been en-
gagged for weeks in controversy
with Representatives Dies, Demo-
crat, of Texas; Hoffman, Rankin,
Democrat, of Mississippi and others,
commented to reporters:
I'm enjoying this. Life had be-
gun to get bit stale-I thought
maybe I had, too. But not now.
Specially in connection with today's
House row: I seem to be keeping
quite lot of people busy. A little
better than 400 to l isn't it?"
Hoffman Seeks Probe.
Mr. Hoffman asked in resolution
that the Justice Department investi-
gate two women he said formerly
were employed by Mr.. Winchell's
radio sponsor, the Andrew Jergens
Co., Cincinnati. He named Miss
Elfrieda Margaret Siddell or Mar
garet F. Seidel as one, declaring in
quiry should be made to determine
if she ever was "interned or con-
fined by Federal authorities" as an
enemy alien. The other, he said,
was Hedwig Engemann, and he
wanted to know if she had ever been
convicted or pleaded guilty to any
charge.
when I get the information
will pass it along to Winchell," said
Mr.. Hoffman, land Winchell then
may talk about that
Previously Mr.. Hoffman had
Identified Miss Siddell as secretary
to Andrew Jergens of the Jergens
firm and Miss Engemann as a maid
in his home.
Mr.. Hoffman also asked that the
House act favorably on his resolu-
ton amending the code of the
armed forces to make the Navy code
conform to that of the Army in one
respect. The change would require
Navy officers to avoid speaking dis
respectfully Of any member of Con-
gress-"in other words, to act like
a gentleman.
Mr.. Winchell, without drawing nav
or wearing uniform, still is listed
as a Navy lieutenant commander,
Mr.. Hoffman said. He should be
deprived of that listing or silenced
about Congress, the Michigan legis-
lator said.
SABBATH Protests Time Wasting.
All this happened while the House
ostensibly was considering a bill af-
fecting the income tax status of
Federal employees who, because of
their jobs, live in a State away from
their regularly maintained home.
Chairman SABBATH of the Rules
Committee interjected that the run
ming commentary about Mr.. VIM
chell was hindering the procedure
not only yesterday but almost every
other day.
Just as long as he stabs patriotic
citizens in the back, I'll expose him
as peddler of falsehood," Mr.. Hoff-
man shot back. He declared fur
Their that if Mr.. SABBATH wants to
defend Mr.. Winchell, he may.
Mr.. SABBATH protested that wasn't
his point at all. He said he'd like to
see every commentator and every
one be required to tell the truth"
You (Mr. Sabath) could end all
this if you would bring the gentle
man here and compel him to tell
the truth about these charges he
makes" said Mr.. Hoffman. Hes
getting close to the penitentiary
line"
At this point Mr.. SABBATH strolled