Evening star., 1932-07-13
A Bonus Marcher Tells
Why He Will Not Leave
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the EQltOr OF Inc Stdr'
After reading your editorials Of re-
cent dates one would come to the con-
clusion that We, the bonus marchers"
now in Washington, are no more than
group of misguided children.
know 1t is useless to pen this letter
to YOUR reactionary and ultra a-conserva-
tive sheet. However, I feel that the
writer of these editorials should learn
first hand that there Is some sound
sense and a goodly bit OF intelligence
among our ranks.
You continually harp on the subject
of our departure from Washington
stating that our presence mere can
serve no useful purpose now that Con-
gress has acted on the bonus bill. Most
Of us did not expect any favorable
action by Congress at this time. In
fact we do not expect any action Until
our ranks are increased to nifty or one
hundred thousand strong, and these we
will have in the course OF month
or so.
Why should we 60 home?
In Detroit, where 1 came from, the
Fisher Lodge has closed, the thousands
of mer who were being cared for there
have been turned out to shift for them
selves as best they can. The City OF
Detroit has no funds to care for the
unemployed.
1t seems to me that before you so
strongly advocate our returning to our
| homes YOU should give some though.
to the condition in our home cities.
The writer of this letter was en-
ployed in 1929 and 1880 by the Ray
mond Concrete Pile Co., 140 Cedar
street, New York, at salary OF $3.50
per month and expenses in Colombia,
South America.
Since the Spring of 1890 I have been
unable to secure a position OF any kind.
1 am married and have two children.
NY savings we're exhausted in the Sum-
mer Of 1881; since that time l don't
know how I and my family have lived
1 should not say live, that's not the
word-eXisted.
AS a construction superintendent or
foreman worth $3.50 per month in 1880,
it seems to me by all fair rules Of the
game I should at least be worth some
thing at present, If nothing more than
to keep body and soul together.
OF course If you have never been
| hungry, have never seen your family
suffer for the bare needs of life, no one
can expect you to have the same point
Of view as we who have been through
these things.
II this country which We gave our
all to protect in its hour of need. this
country which is bursting with an
overload OF tire things We need so badly
today. cannot give us or will not give
us what we are justly due. then it is
the most ungrateful country and peo-
pie the world has ever known end will
deserve the destruction of its Constitu-
ton, which will surely follow.
Therefore, We expect to remain In
Washington until justice is meted out
to us either in the payment Of o'r So
called bonus or the providing for us
of work so that we may support cur
selves and families.
Any man who leaves us now Is not
worth the powder and shot it would
take to kill him If he has money in
his pocket or some one to care for him
he had no business here in the first
place. On the other hand. If he Is in
need and goes away he deserves the
condemnation o. his fellows.
No job-no home-no money!
might as we'll be here, and here I shall
stay even II in Jail.
A. JOHNSON.
Camp Anacostia.