The Madison Daily Leader

PROOFS ARE DEMANDED
Congressman Norton Calls for Punish-
ment of Accusing
Solons If Asser-
tions Are False—Bitter in
Arraignment.
Washington, Sept. 26.—A resolution
calling on Representatives Heflin of
Alabama and Howard of Georgia to
prove insinuations made in published
interviews that members of the house
benefited directly from the fund of $50,
000 asked by former Ambassador
Bernstorff to influence the American
congress against war, is promised by
Representative Norton of North Dako-
ta, speaking on the floor of the house.
"The gentleman from Alabama says
he can point out 13 or 14 members
who have acted suspiciously, inferring
that they received part of the $50,000
granted Ambassador Bernstorff," said
Mr. Norton. "I don't know of any
greater injury to our form of govern-
men than to charge that fellow mem-
bers are corrupt and have taken mon-
ey to influence their actions.
"I don't believe there is a scintilla
of truth in the statement. If it is
true no punishment is severe enough
for those members.
Proof of Statement Demanded.
"If it is false, apologies won't cor-
rect the injury. If the gentleman from
Alabama should go down on his mar-
row bones he could not undo the in-
jury he has done.
"I know of no punishment severe
enough to be dealt out to that kind
of character. The gentleman from Ala-
bama should be obliged to prove his
charges or accept the punishment he
so richly deserves."
Mr. Norton read an interview with
Representative W. S. Howard of Geor-
gia, in which the latter was reported
to have said some members "look more
prosperous than before."
"The gentleman from Georgia should
be required to prove his statements.
I shall offer a resolution calling upon
them to submit proof. If they cannot
prove them, they should take the con-
sequences."
Mr. Heflin denied that he had charg-
ed that any member of the house had
received any of the Bernstorff money.
"I have said that some members of
the house have acted suspiciously," he
said.
Admits Lack of Proof.
"Name them," shouted several mem-
bers.
"I can't prove anything," continued
Heflin, "but the Bible tells me that a
tree is known by its fruit, and I judge
men by their actions."
"If I had proofs I would name them."
This brought cries of derision from all
parts of the chamber, which were so
vigorous that the speaker had to rap
for order.
Howard Repudiates Interview.
Representative Howard told of his
conversation with a reporter, which
was to the effect that if Bernstorff ex-
pected to influence congress with $50,
000 he was "a cheap skate." He was
interrupted by Representative H. J.
Moore of Pennsylvania, who read the
purported interview in which Howard
was quoted as saying that he believed
he could pick out members who had
acted suspiciously, and some of them
looked more prosperous than they did.
"Did you use any such language?"
asked Mr. Moore.
"I never said that nor anything like
that," declared Mr. Howard.