The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-05
IS
USED To
CHECK
TALK
SenatorfHaIe Takes Blame for
Vice Presidents Absence
at First Session
By GEORGE R. HOLMES.

The smoulderlng resentment the
Senate feels over the dressing
down" it received at the hands Of
Vice President Charles G. Dawes
came to the surface today q few
minutes after it met.
With General Dawes himself in
The chair, Senator Ashurst (Dem.l
Of Arizona, succeeded in getting
into the record his opinion Of
General Dawes action yesterday
as "unseemly and untimely."
Ashurst's criticism was directed,
not at the speech of the Vice
President in which he denounced
Senate rules, but at the Generals
action in interrupting the swear
ing in of new Senators to "shoo"
everyone out of the chamber for
the Coolidge inaugural ceremonies.
Hale Takes Blame.
When the Senate convened at
noon today, Senator Hale Rep.) of
Maine, and Senator Reed Dem) of
Missouri both demanded recognition
from the chair. After a moments
hesitation, Vice President Dawes
recognized the Maine Senator.
Hale said he had noticed in the
press certain criticisms" Of the Vice
President for not returning to the
Senate yesterday after the conclu-
sion or the Coolidge ceremonies, in
order to preside. Hale said he took
the blame for this, and wanted to
explain 10 the Senate how it hap
pened.
Ashurst Gets Floor.
Senator Ashurst then obtained the
floor.
Mr.. President" he said, biting his
words off, II saw in the press this
morning certain criticisms attribu-
ted to me of the Vice President. I
rise to point of personal privilege
to say that there are certain parts
Of the Vice Presidents speech with
which l am in accord. My criticism
was directed at the unseemly and
untimely interruption by the Vice
President of the ceremon" Of the
new senators taking the oath Of
office"
after the President concluded
his speech" said Hale, ''the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge. and the
Vice President and Mrs. Dawes
left the stand and started down
toward the cars. The Vice Presi-
dent said to me: Il must return
to the Senate to preside, how do 1
get there?" | informed him that
he was not to return to the Sen
ate, but was to go to the White
House to review the parade. 1t
was misunderstanding on my
part. If there is any blame at
tached to it. it is mine"
General Dawes stood erect behind
his chair and said nothing.
Republican Leader Curtis succeed.
ed in shutting off any extended
criticism of General Dawes by OBJ
tanning a recess until p. m. in or
der to notify President Coolidge that
the new Senate is in session and
ready for business. However, 1T
may only be delayed as several SEN
ators, among them Reed, Democrat,
of Missouri, endeaVored to get the
floor during the brief opening ses
stop.
Not only the Democrats and in
surgents are 'sore," but Admins.
tration Senators as well.
Not to Be Submerged"
Whatever be the ultimate result
of Dawes explosive beginning, his
friends gleefully observed today that
at least the volatile General has
shown that he does not intend to be
submerged in the usual obscurity
that falls to the lot OF Vice Presi-
dents.
With failing arms and stamping
feet, General Dawes told the Senate
it's present rules are a disgrace and
"subversive of good government"
He had reference to those tradi-
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