Evening star., 1947-07-24
Truman Visits Senate
And Takes Old Seat,
Setting Precedent

President Truman has given the
historians another item to chalk up.
Hailed as a former member, the
President revisited the Senate yes
terday, took his old seat, and then
responded feelingly to the warm
welcome extended by President
Vandenberg. who was presiding
when Mr.. Truman entered the
chamber on a dare" from erstwhile
colleagues with whom he had just
lunched.
1t was an unusual incident in
view of the sometimes bitter battles
In which the President has engaged
with the Republican-controlled
Congress, but associates commented
later that he feels no rancor over
developments in the session now
ending. His reception also indicated
the Senators feel there has been
nothing personal" in the warfare
between the White House. and Capt.
tol Hill.
No Precedent Discovered.
The Presidents visit resulted in
some hasty research to determine
if there was precedent for it. While
Mr.. Truman Is the 11th member
of the Senate to 60 to the Presi-
dency, there is no record that any
of his predecessors paid an informal
visit after leaving Congress. Mr..
Truman had appeared in the Sen
ate once before since leaving two
years ago, when he made a per-
sonal plea for ratification OF the
Charter.
The Senate was passing minor
bills on the calendar when Mr.. Tru-
man entered through door near
his old seat. Senator Vandenberg
quickly spotted him and led the
demonstration in which Senators
and galleries joined, Senate rules to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
There are few situations in the
life of the Senate for which there
is not some available precedent.
The present happens to be one,
however, for which no precedent is
known" Senator Vandenberg said
Welcomes Former Senator.
'The chair is very happy to well
come the former Senator from Mis-
souri, to his old seat in the Senate.
The chair cannot make the welcome
permanent to that seat because of
his regard for the other Senators
from Missouri who prefer to retain
their seats.
But to the President Of the
United States, in behalf of Senators
on both sides OF the aisle, the chair
expresses the warmest welcome to
the old environment where he served
with such honor, integrity and dig
nifty. To the President of the United
States, on behalf of the Senate, I
extend our wishes for health, hap
piness and success"
Then, with total disregard to the
Senate rules which deny the floor
to all but sitting members, Senator
Vandenberg intoned:
The ex-senator from Missouri is
recognized for minutes"
Sometimes Gets Homesick.
Smiling happily. Mr. Truman
arose and addressed Senator VAN
denberg with the customary: Mr..
President"
You are very kind to me-" he
said. TN fact, I never received
such cordial reception anywhere
and have been many places since
I left this great body. I think I am
also breaking a precedent.
THE Senate never invites any
one to speak in the Senate. but the
Senators and you are exceedingly
kind to me to give me an, ,oppor-
tunity to reply to the gracious words
you have just uttered
II sometimes get homesick for
this seat. I spent what I think
were the best 10 years of my life in
the Senate. I made friendships
and had associations which can
never forget
"Once in a while I take pleasure,
on invitation, in coming to the Sem
ate and having lunch with few
Senators. I saw great many today
with whom I was closely associated.
They dared me to come into the
Senate and take my old seat, and
see what would happen. I am so
happy I did so. I thank you very
much"
With that the President walked
out amid another burst of applause.
Later, Democratic Leader Barkley
took the floor to thank Senator VAN
denberg for the gracious greeting
he extended to Mr.. Truman.
Mr.. Barkley said he recalled that
when President Wilson addressed a
Joint session of Congress in 1918 he
declared there should be no island
of isolation between the executive
and the legislative branches of the
Government