WXPost., ou.; 8 1073 Ford's First Day: Triisition Is Made, President DefenTled By Spencer Rich "There is no evidence that ing in the ITT case, the Washington Post Staff Writer would justify impeachment "milk deal" and other inci- Gerald R. Ford began his . . . I don't think the Presi- dents will be released "prior first full day as the 40th dent is a political liability to to the first of the, year," Vice President of the United any candidate (and) in his Ford said the President told States with a ringing de- him. five years, he has done a su- leader, the.,Vice-,.president fense of President Nixon's per job in foreign policy. He The President had as- record and a categorical de- sured him, he said, that quipped: has many more pluses in the "He's going to be a much" nial that the President has political scene than mi- .once these documents are any plans_to resign. released and all the facts more effective leader. He nuses." was elected unanimously; I "I can assure you that the Ford said he had brought are out, "he should be com- pletely exonerated." only won 73 to 67 when I President has no intention up the matter of possible ran for leader." whatever of resigning," resignation at his meeting Ford's meeting with Mr. Nixon was one of the high After his White House Ford said at his first Senate with Mr. Nixon because, talk with the President, press conference yesterday while he knew Mr. Nixon's points of a day devoted largely to making the Ford returned for a formal after a discussion and pic- mind, "I'm going on one of press conference at which ture-taking session with Mr. the quiz s shows on Sunday transition from the job of Nixon at the White House. House vG0P leader, a post he defended Mr. Nixon, and and I wanted' it straight from said,' "When the President "It was reiterated to me this the President himself." he's held sinee 1965, the ,' morning." Vice President of the United isn't there I will preside" at Also, papers to prove Mr. National Security Council Ford also told reporters, Nixon innocent of wrongdo- See FORD, A8, Col. 1 meetings, and indicated he expects to campaign for GOP candidates' nationwide FORD, From Al (sic) 'Aim ith ally don't spend too much in 474. wisdOrn and ,g time presiding anyhow, - of- Ford said he doesn't see States and presiiing officer Then, as his first business *repair to this room any way to stop the House of the Senate. yesterday, Ford presided' as en the rhetoric gets them Judiciary Committee's im- His day began about 8:20 the Senater--with only a down. peachment investigation but alp. at his House offices, handful of members 'on the This time, however, Ford is confident that it will find where 15 House pages pres- floor ..`routinely passed by was talking arrangements Mr. Nixon guiltless. "If a' ented him with a briefcase voice Vote' a, bill to create a • with top aide Bob Hartman committee of 38 members, they had bought as a going- Boston national historical and, other staff men. These 21 Democratic and 17 Repub- away present. After confer- park and confirmed :some included Walter Mote, -for- lican, if they voted against ring with aides, he took the mer Vice President Spirb T. the resolution by a majOrity long walk across the Capitol nominations, a loud, Agoew's legislative aide for vote, I think that would be to the office of Frank Valeo, "'sfeady w Vol the Senate whom Ford is totally satisfactory" tcr Teas- secretary of the Senate. " forth, "Without jection it keePing in the same job, sure the American people, There he went through i ordered," each time and Ken Belieu, a former said Ford. the ritual required of every rity Leader Mike Mans- White House liaison man for The vice presidency is, at Senate member and presid- (D-Mont.) asked rou- the Senate (1969 to 1971) least in theory, the second ing officer: filling out docu- pproval that action •be and under secretary of both highest office in the land, ments, insurance forms and the Army and the Navy at and. Ford was confirmed by other necessary papers to With still only a few on different times, who' is join- a Nov. 27 Senate vote' 'of 92 put himself and his staff on the floor, Ford listened to ing Ford's staff. to 3 and a Thursday House the 'Senate roster for busi- Minority Leader Hugh Scott He also posed for pictures vote of 387 to 35 The Wash- ness purposes, franking (R-Pa.) express delight that with Sens. Jacob K. Javits ington Post inadvertently privileges and the like. With the District of Columbia (R-N.Y.) and Bob Dole (R- 'reported it at 389 to 35.) De- his accession to the vice will have a baseball team Kan.), both up for re-elec- spite this handsome en- presidency Thursday, his and that the' first game will tion in 1974. dorsement to such an Au- pay rose from $49,500 a year be74,7*ith the Philadelphia At 11:06, Ford braved the , gust position, Ford revealed to $62,500. P 'es, and to George Mc- nearly empty chamber with a laugh yesterday that 'Flanked by aides and Se- G rn (D-S.D.) deliver a again, taking the gavel and he hadn't been offered a cret Service men, Ford speech on veterans" educa- remaining until 11:47 while bite of lunch at the White marched into the Senate' tional benefits. Sens. Alan Bible (D-Net.) House, so he went to his old 13y,10:12 a.m., Ford's first and Paul J. Fannin (R-Ariz.) House office to eat. chamber.five.rninutes before spell ' as presiding officer declaimed on the energy cri- He, didn't come back to the formal oPening of the was over; a senator took the sis. the Senate again to preside session.,' At 10 a.m., he chair and Ford retired to Ford appeared a trifle until 4:13 p.m. when the mounted the prdident's the "formal room." glassy-eyed from the talk Rhodesian chrome bill was chair and stood with head when he' surrendered the The "formal room;" lo- being discussed—again with bowed as the Rev. Dr. C. chair and went back into the only a handful present. Ralston Smith of Bethesda, cated inside the Senate "formal room.", Standing un- a special assistant to evan- chambers, is one of five of- At 4:40 p.m. he left to get der a massive chandelier do- ready to co-host a fund-rais- gelist Billy Graham, intoned fices Ford will enjoy as Vice nated by Teddy Roosevelt the daily prayer as guest President. It is a stately re- ing party at the Capitol Hill (wit o was said to have as- Club for Rep. Stanford Par- minister. ception office about 25 feet se d its tinkling would by p, with a huge desk and ke senators ris (R-Va.) "We pray for each mein- awake), he re- Asked if he found the ber that he might be respon- chair"; a grandfather clock, a ed ed a silver medallion deep blue rug,a large paint- and silver plate from Rep. Senate discourse any more sible to thy purposes and enlightening than House de- ing of, Vice President John Garry Brown (R-Mich.) on promptings," said Dr. bate, Ford laughed and leP- Smith. "Especially do we Nance Garner (1933-1941) behalf of Michigan friends., and busts of Vice President Posiipg for pictures with lied, "I don't think I sholild ask thy blessing upon our Henry Wilson make any comments ahOut Vice President, Gerald Ford, .(1873 to 1875) Sen. Hugh • Scott (R-Pa.) and and Senate PiesisleTit 'Pro the caliber of the debaW, on as he'undertalies tile respon- Rep. John. J. Rhodes (R- either side of the Capitol." •sibility of presiding at 'These Tem Lafayette FoSter (1865 Ariz.); just elected -to re- significant sessions. Endue to 1867). place Ford as House GOP Vice Presidents, who usu-