Evening star., 1932-06-10
SULLEN 800 TAKE
ALLEGIANCE OATH
Suspected Newcomers Given
B. E. F. Places After
Close Scrutiny.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.


They might have come to life out Of
the pages of Dostoyefski-this sullen-
faced 300 who lined up before the flag
and with raised right hands took the
oath of allegiance.
They were marched back into the
great Anacostia junglecamp of the B.
E. F. this morning after being refused
admittance last night-a weeks growth
of stubble on their faces, together with
the SCOT of nights in box cars and rail-
road yards. This latest addition to the
thousands Of bonus seekers who have
invaded Washington came from Detroit,
Cleveland. Toledo and way stations
around the Great Lakes. They were
suspected of harboring reds" The re-
uuirement that they take the oath was
a safety measure, even before their dis
charge certificates were examined to
remain in camp.
Uneaualed for Squalor.
For picturesque squalor this contln-
gent probably outclaSSeS any OF the
bands of veterans which have preceded
1t. It was led by tall, slim colored
man carrying a flag, all his possessions
TrSpped in a newspaper and tied with
piece of clothesline. The company
seemed to be about one-third colored.
Nearly all we're wearing olive drab
overseas caps-the rest OF the UNIFORM
of misery's army being about as di-
versified AS possible and ranging from
a sheepskin overcoat to burlap bag.
One carried milk bottle on piece OF
clothesline around his neck. Many
were carrying cherished tin cans from
which they have eaten and drunk for
the last week
Brought back into camp this morn
ing they were told that the "B. E. F..
was willing to take a chance on them"
Even in this Squalid gathering their ap-
pearance was against them. After the
oath-taking ceremony they were lined
UP and marched to Camp Sims to wash.
They were informed that any money
they brought with them must be turn
ed over to the common mess fund. As
for lodging-it was up to their own in
genuity There was the junk pile with
lots of trash left.
Forget Military Ways.
They have had a stormy trip to
Washington. Although all probably
served either in the Army or Navy. it
required some time to get them back
into the automatic military ways Of q
decade ago. Several attempts were
necessary before they were able to
count off " When the command
squads right" was given the men hesi-
tated as if they did not understand for
a moment and then maneuvered into a
tangled mess. Then the old condition
ing seemed to reassert itself and they
marched away in a semblance of order.
They appeared humble enough-will-
ing to Go anything that was asked of
them to win the confidence of their
comrades. But one can hardly get out
of mind the picture Of those broad. fiat.
sullen faces-faces of colored men and
Slav steel mill workers mingled with
those of few Ohio farmers.
Today they are the rockies" of the
bonus army. They were "joshed" like
new comers at an army camp.
Dem guys done gone and got their
colored man who watched the clumsy
attempt to squads right" "Dey done
think dis am the Spanish War"
Stirred by Oratory.
But tomorrow they have proved
themselves in the eantime-they will
be an integral part of this weird river
Da1k jungle IN Wnlcn the only re-
quirement for citizenship is war serv-
ice and comradeship in the common
misery.
1t was a lazy. monotonous morning
at the camp. The one break in the
sameness came when Senator Smith of
South Carolina mounted to the roof of
one OF the shed-barracks. They are
suggestible crowd, their emotions easily
stirred by oratory. They cheered and
clapped their hands excitedly as the
Senator appealed to 'the eternal gods"
and spoke of those sleeping under the
poppieS in Flanders Fields who are an
eternal monument to you boys here on
this field"
Here, by the way, is one of the mys-
terieS of American oratory. A reference
to the dead under the Flanders poppies
always seems to excite the emotions of
eX-servlce men. There are plenty of
English and Canadians there. There
are plenty Of French. Belgians and Ger
mans. But the Americans buried in
Flanders must be very few indeed.
BY the eternal gods" said Senator
Smith. you boys aren't responsible for
the terrible condition Of our country