New Britain herald., 1925-03-05
Opening Session Sur charged With Elec- tricity Of Eager Ex- pectancy Ashurst Shakes Finger At. Vice-President.
First Bout Inconclusive-- Senator Moses Is Elected President Pro Tem., Sue. ceeding Cummins.

Washington, March 5.--Vice- Pres ident Dawes took on the senate to- day in first and inconclusive IS minute round surcharged with the electricity of eager expectancy.
 There was an explosion or two over the manner in which the new presiding officer had cut corners at the expense of time honored senate customs upon his inauguration yes terday but when a recess was taken until later in the afternoon, the row had not yet reached an acute stage.
 Throughout the quarter hour ses- sion, MT. Dawes himself kept per- fectly quiet except when, in low voice that scarcely reached the far corners of the chamber, he put two perfunctory motions and announced the result.
 Ashurst Gets Excited
 During the short time he was in the chair, however, the vice-presi- dent was the target of sharp criti- cism for his manner of cutting short .the swearing in of new senators yes- -terday delivered by Senator Ashurst, democrat, Arizona, who emphasized his speech by shaking his forefnger at the chair; heard Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri, demand that the official record of what was done yesterday be examined again by the senate; and listened to an explana- tion by Senator Hale, republican, Maine, who took upon himself all blame for the presidents fail- ure to return to the chamber yester- day after he had witnessed the in- auguration of President Coolidge.
 Crowded galleries and an unusual number of senators, attracted by the prospect of a row, watched the pro- ceedings in an atmosphere so tense that the quiet was oppressive. At the end there was universal sigh of re- lief that the impact had been no worse; but senators. gathering in lit- tie knots to talk it over after the recess was taken, seemed certain there was more to come.
 Dawes Is Silent
 The Vice-president himself looked on during the session with an in scrutable countenance, and declined Ito comment on it afterward. Wearing q natty brown business suit he had stepped to his place on the dias just at noon. had called the senate tn nr6ar hNr Sip pula f, e An and then had stepped aside without word while the chaplain offered prayer. Then he waited calmly for the fireworks to begin.
 They began at once. The clerk started to read the journal of yes terday's proceedings and Senator Curtis, the republican leader, asked as is customary, that the reading be dispensed with. Senator's Reed and Hale demanded recognition. "The senator from Maine," said Mir, Dawes.
 Senator Hale said certain criticism of the ce-president appeared in the morning newspapers because he had not returned to the senate chamber yesterday for the conclusion of the inaugural ceremonies.
 Hale Starts To Explain T think l can explain the reason he did not" said Senator Hale, "and 1 think it is my duty to do so." Senator Rood interrupted, but Senator Hale continued.
 After the president had finished speaking, the president and Mrs. Dawes went down the steps to the waiting automobiles The president started of and the vice president then turned to me and said I must return 10 the senate in order to pre- side over that body; how do l go tLoreH'
 T replied he was not to return 10 the senate. but was to go to the re- viewing stand in front Of the White House 10 review the parade. This Was due 10 a misunderstanding on my part, and if any blame attaches It must rest upon me"
 Senator Reed at once demanded hat the journa be read, but Senator Gurus wanted 10 go ahead with ap- poin;monts Of a committee to notify The president tho now senate was in session and the NNssouriau fnall, greed 10 an armistice until o'clock.
 But Senator Ashurst then demsnu rd attention to explain that he ha4 been misreprosentcd in this morn jng's newspapers ss casting certain strictureS on Mir. Dawes for his at tack on the senate rules He added that he had not criticized NIT. Dawes on that score, but that he had ob. ircted to the 'unscemingly and un- kindly interruption" by the vice. president of tho ceremony of swear ing in new senators.
 This sally passed without repl. and tbcn went through the motion' Of appointing a committee 10 wal on the president and took a recess while Senator Reed walked over {, the secretary's desk and examine, the journal Of yesterday for him self while the yice-president steppe down from the dias 10 the republi