The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-05-17
'COKEY'S ARMY
WINS LEGAL
OBJECTIVE

Thirty.four years ago Jacob 3.
coxey, heading 1 mob OF rasged I'M
employed which had walked 4SS
miles from Mashlllon, Ohio, stcfmed
the National Capitol seeking rerne-
dial legislation.
He was hurled bodily Off the steps
Of the Capitol and thrown into Jail
tor q month.
Today the legislation for which
Coxey'e Army fought in 'vain bids
fair to become law. Coxey recently
staged a second invasion Of the halls
OF Congress-. and was greeted with
smile and escorted about BY guides.
The old fellow, "a years old. worn
by 4 career OF political struggle
stopped at one OF Washington's most
luxurious hustelries. On his earlier
VISIT he and his followers camped
outslCB the Capitol grounds In tents.
Watched BY Police
When he reached the Capitol in
1894 4 Gordon OF police bristled
across the entrance doors, somewhat
fearful OF this man from the back
woods who had crossed three states
to tell his woes to the nation. He
took himself and his little band OF
strAkglers back to Ohio after his
visit, but did not cease efforts to aid
the unemployed.
He has accomplished in the TWEEN.
tiath what he and 400 others failed
10 do in the Nineteenth century.
Al House bill reported simultAne.
oIaly nv the Senate Banking and
Currency Committee during Coxey's
visit TO WashinRton provides that
money. secured by community nom
interest bearing 25.year bonds, shall
~ provided by the Government for
uubIic improvements through COM
munty banks organized under state
laws. The measure ID intended to
make possible q program OF pubic
Improvement that will give work to
thousands. II ID essentially the
same bill sought by coxey three
.'The old place looks, just the
same, except for the police and
general hostility" he said. It's
hard for me to realize I was
thrown down those very steps ana
into Jail "a years ago. a lot can
happen in that time. The people
81 America have awakened. and are
needing the cry Of those who can
not get work. The need Tor leglsia-
ton for the unemployed IL greater
now than then. Congress knows IL
and IL acting. ! am very happy'
GrIxxled soldier
Coxey was the same grizzled old
soldier that has fought so many
nnlitical battles with the same END
In view. He wore a dark suit, wing
collar and had on steel trimmed
anectacles. Ohio knew him well IN
tI1is rarb in 1895. He polled O2,S1S
votes in q hot race for the gov
ernorshfp OF that State then.
His march to Washington ended
a. d farce, and gave rise 70 the
derisiye term "COxey's Army.
Out West people locked TO Co1ey
before the march. however. IL was
estimated that 10000 persons at
tempted to join him. One group OF
/ 500 from the Far West, unueE
Colonel Fry. trekked HUNDREDS on
miles in an effort TO come Win
him to the Capitol, picking up
Continued rain stopped them Just
weat OF the Mississippi. Finally
when the march began from MAS
sillon there were 400 of Coxeys
soldiers In rags and tatters.
group Of adult waits going to Con-
gress. 49,.
400 miles in rain and mud tneS
walked and turned up in wash
inrton Nav 2, 1894, ready for their
hattie. They lost 1t then, but vlr-
t,,sI success has crowned the long
efforts of their leader.