The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-04

u
ice staff Writer, begins Mon
day in The Times.
told to lay down their tools. The
invaders instructed the employees
good-naturedly that they might re-
main if they wished.
Chat with Employees
Most employees Of the roundhouse
remained chatting genially with the
score of ex-service men assigned to
form a guard there. Two or three
employees, working on books and
records. were allowed to continue.
other groups of the invaders
climbed on freight cars, cabooses
and locomotives and instructed the
crews that operations we're at a
standStill.
Keep an eye on everything here,
Pace instructed. Don't give them
a chance to sneak a train out Of
the yards"
Some of the invaders were well
acquainted with railroad operation
and procedure. and at the advice
of these men one of the first steps
was to search brakemen and other
employees, remove signal flares.
known as 'fusees," from their
pockets.
This action was to permit the in
vaders to stop any trains passing
through the yards.
"There1l be no depredations or
destruction of property" Pace in
structed his men. Il want that
understood. and I want you to keep
careful watch to see that no one
comes into the yards that doesn't
belong here.
General Committee Named
A general committe of about 100
was appointed to oversee the yards.
The executive committee Of about
five or six held frequent consulta-
tions, in the roundhouse or seated
on railroad ties.
On any major decision, Pace de-
manded a vote of all the men pres
ent. The proceedings were carried
out strictly in accordance with
parliamentary law.
Many of the men slept in near
by field. some, who had money,
bought loaves of bread and pals
of coffee which we're distributed.
Decision to seize the yards was
reached after the men had waited
downtown all Friday afternoon as
attempts were made to arrange
transportation for them to Pitts
burgh.
All railroads but the Pennsylvania
refused transportation. Consulta-
ton was not had with Pennsylvania
authorities. When it was learned
that Pennsylvania freights we're to
leave the yards Friday night, Pace
suggested that the group take pos
session of the yards.
Defy Orders of Police
Boys" said Pace in a speech, "in
1917 when they wanted soldiers they
came and took us. It's 1882 now
and we want transportation"
He received unanimous support.
The group moved out without at
tempting to find an evening meal.
Decision of the ex-service men to
continue their occupation" of the
yards was made in defiance of or
ders by Safety Director Merrick and
police officials, and in the face of
appeal for militiamen.
The yards had been dead" for
more than twelve hours at this
morning.
Railroad men said the situation
was without precedent. that it was
the first time in history here that
train service had been tied up, ex-
cept by the elements.
Call for nation guard was made
upon Governor White when police
officials here early today hesitated
to take action, asserting that there
was no violence and no Interior
ence with mail trains except one.
which has been moved"
The train was delayed for more
than an hour before leaders Of the
army" agreed not to hold it.
At a 4 a. m. conference between
railroad officials and leaders OF the
ex-service men, it was reported that
no cement could be reached.
Railroad Refuses Trains
j. A. Appleton, general superin-
tendent Of the Pennsylvania lines in
Ohio. issued a formal statement in
which he said:
The demand for transportation
made on the railroad by the So
called bonus marchers is refused on
the ground that granting Of such
demand would be contrary TO law.
We have appealed for police protec-
ton"
Police we're summoned to be in re-
serve at precinct stations near the
yards, after Pace informed author
tiles the men would stay in the
yards until they we're given trans
portation.
A sullen spirit pervaded the crowd
in the yards this morning. The men
were hungry. Save for a few loaves
Of bread which we're passed out
during the night, they had not been
fed since before noon yesterday.
Pace and other leaders obviously
weer worried, feeling that the stu
alton would get out of control.
Quarrels and near fights broke
out among the men. Leaders them
selves often disputed loudly.
Confronted with a report from
Detroit that he was active in COM
munistic organizations. Pace hotly