The Omaha morning bee., 1925-03-06
Dawes Not.
Disciplined.
by Senate
ssolons Whose Dignity Was
Offended by New Vice
President Change Minds
About Tanning Him.
Hale Shoulders Blame

and resentful of the way Vice Presi
dent Dawes cut corners Off its time
honored customs. the senate set out
today to teach its new presiding Off
Ger a lesson in senatorial dignity.
There were whispered stories OF
plans for tanning him now" and
Clipping his wings before he goes
further"
But a recess. during which some
senator's cooled off and a spirit of
reasonableness got in its work on
Doth sides of the chamber. resulted in
what was covertly advertised as TO be
sound spanking, being reduced TO
a slap on the wrist.
1t developed that the senate was
rot SO offended because the new vice
president in his inaugural address
pounded his fist on the table, shook
his finger and shouted when he de-
clared for changing the rules to out
law the one man filibuster. The feel
ing of dignity was particularly out
ragged, It developed, first, because the
vice president had interrupted the
ceremony of new senators signing the
roster in the presence Of their col
leagues, and, second, because he had
not returned to the senate chamber
to preside after the inauguration of
President Coolidge outside.
Hale Explains.
The second cause for complaint was
speedily removed when Senator Hale.
Maine, one of the members of the in
augural committee, took it all on HIM
self and explained that he had errone-
ously told the vice president it was
not necessary for him to return.
The bruise from the first blow was
assuaged by the unanimous adoption
of a resolution providing that for this
one time only 1t should be considered
for the purposes Of tho permanent
record that the new senator's signed
the roster in the fashion the senate
rules prescribe. although they do not
do so.
Dawes suggested the ceremony be
performed over again in the regular
way, but Senator Curtis. the repub-
fican leader. replied that the adoption
Of the resolution proposed by Senator
Feed, democrat, Missouri, would save
time.
Tn. troubled waters having been
much claimed by that time. Senator
Reed did not press this threat to
force a reading OF the journal of the
inaugaration >Jay proceedings and
thus disclose that the official record
nave been made to show what was
supposed to have occurred rather than
what really did take place
End Is Peaceful.
What had threatened to be a spec
iacle with most of the 96 senators
hazinz a new presiding officer came
TO a peaceful end with brief execu-
tive session and adjournment for the
day
Just before the senate quit. how
ever. Senator Underwood. democrat,
Alabama, reintroduced his resolution
for amendment of the senate rules
and 1t was referred to the rules COM
inittee.
When the senate assembled there
was @ brand of electricity sparkling
around the chamber. Galleries we're
packed; privileged individuals crowd
ed In on the floor and every senator
in town was at his desk. The at
n1osphere was like 1t must have been
on Roman fete day, when some
body was going to be fed to the
lions.
The filled chamber waited as the
senate clock arrived at noon and not
before then did Vice President Dawes
come into the chamber. He stepped
quickly through the door and up onl
the presiding officers dais. gave the
desk a rap with the gavel and with
out saying a word stepped back inl
favor Of the senate chaplain. More
eyes were on the vice president than
were reverently cast down. The vicel
president, looking quite unrnffled
and unconcerned, although he knewl
what was IN the air, gave his atten
tion to the prayer.
Fireworks Begin.
Then no called the senate to bust
ness with another short, smart rapI
and the fire crackers began to snap
senator Hale. Maine. was recog.l
nized and began to explain why
Dawes had not returned to the cham
Tor after the Inauguration ceremo-
nies outside. Senator Reed cut him
Off making the point that there was
no business before the senate for dis.
cussion. Hale replied that he was
speaking 10 a point ofipcrsona1 privi'
iege, whereupon Senator Reed said
that in those circumstances he with
drew his objection.