The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-01
PLANS OF THE COXEYITES.
Programme for the May Day
Demonstration.
Coxey and Browne Making the
Arrangements.
They Prepare to Speak on the Steps
of the Capitol.
II They Attempt 1t They Will Surely BE
Acknowledgements of the In
dustrial Armies In
tho Wests
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, April 30.-The second
day of ths Commonwsal army in Wash-
ington was spent by Commander Coxey
in making arrangements with the su-
thorities for his May day demonstra-
tion. and by the men in the miserable
little camp up at Brightwood, grum-
bling at the poor fare provided for
them. The long advertised procession
will start tomorrow morning at 8 O'Clock
if the programme is carried out. and the
good roads army will march past the
White House, the war department. the
treasury and up Pennsylvania avenue
past the capitol. Nine mounted po-
licemen will ride at the head of the
procession. If the army attempts to
march into the capitol grounds it will
be stopped and its leaders arrested if
they persist.
Mr.. Coxey saw Major Moore, the
chief of police, and announced to him
bis intention of speaking on the capitol
steps. Some Commonwealers intimate
that when repulsed the army will dis
band, ite members will enter the grounds
hc anu OuOh w thoii DPOoNh-
making under the statue of Christopher
Colum bus at the steps.
IF they do, says Major Moore, "thsy
will be arrested"
Having finished their public demon
stration, the Common veal soldiers will
march to vacant lot at Second and VI
streets, Southwest, where they will
pitch their tents and the leaders an
nouuce this will be the permanent camp
of the army of peace. Other contingents
are expected to join them tomorrow.
Coxey sailed forth to the district
building. He announced his desire to
move to the new camp grounds. Com
missioner Powell objected on the ground
that the proximity OF James creek, with
it's foul oders, made the place un-
healthy.
1--WE will fumigate the grounds" said
Mr.. Coxey; "besides, our people are
exceptionally healty. They can stand
a great deal. If you could only have
seen the trials and tribulatioHs they
have undergone on their march here,
you would not think the presence of
canal would affect them"
"How long do you expect to remain
here ?" asked Com mmissioner Ross.
Mr.. Coxey smiled and chuckled audi
bly,.
"Why, we expect to remain here
until we get action on our bills. The
few men who are with US are only
forerunner of what ia coming. OF
course. when the full strength of tie
army arrives, this lot will not b large
enough"
Permission was granted Coxey to en-
camp by the canal on the condition that
he would employ plumber to make the
necessary sanitary regulations. Coxey
went at o'clck to the Office of the SER
geant-at-arms of the house. armed with
a letter of introduction from the chief
of police to Colonel Bright. He said to
an Associated Press reporter:
Nothing remains to US but to make
an amicable arrangement for meeting
on the steps. We will not insist on
marching into the grounds, but when
we reach the curb 1 will tell the boys to
break ranks and 60 in like other citi-
zens."
''Then what?"
"Then the meeting will begin"
Suppose the sergeant-at-arma OBJ
jects ?"
"He cannot object. We can hold our
meeting there az the constitution gives
US right to do. 1t would be peculiar
thing if we undertook to come inside
the building and hold meeting, but
we shall not do that"
"You will attempt the meeting in the
face of official objection
''Yes, and regardless of the law, be-
cause of our constitutional rights"
Replying to questions as to whether
he had received any encouragement from
congress- about the passage OF his bills,
he replied:
81 have not. Congress will not act
until forced to-"
The sergeants-at-arms OF the house
and senate were closeted with Coxey
quarter of an hour. These officials
pointed out the statute concerning meet
ings and professions in the capitol
grounds, and in reply to his objections
that the law was unconstitutional, they
told him they were here to execute the
law and not to oonstrue it. They called
Mr.. Coxey's attention to the fact that
the law provided for their own suspen-
sion by the vice-president and the
speaker of the house, whereupon the
Commonweal leader announced his in
tention of seeing them.
Chief of Police O'Mara of Pittsburg
was in consultation with Major Moore
this afternoon. Out of town detectives
from principal towns are in town.
Coxey started out early this evening
to obtain an interview with Messra.
Stevenson and Crisp to request them to
suspend for tomorrow the regulation
closing up the capitol grounds to
parsdes. 1t was not until IL 10 that
Mr.. Cexey was able to obtain an inter-
view with Mr.. Crisp. AT that hour,
however, he was received and in COM
pany with Carl Browne, remained 40
minutes.
Mr.. Coxey asked that his men be al
lowed to enter the grounds OF the capitol
as individuaie tomorrow and later as
Bile on the steps for the address. Mr..
Crisp inquired concerning the natuIe OF
the address which would be delivered,
and Coxey outlined his wel-known doc
trines. Mr.. Crisp declined to interfere
with the laws concerning the use of the
capitol grounds and buildings.
"Ihe chief representative Of the DEM