Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-11-11
kilograms Sent to Mayors
and Governors as Several
Units Plan to Come Here.
NINE GROUPS EXPECT
TO GET HERE DEC. 4
Will Demand $50 for Each Unem.
ployed Person, Job Insurance
and Cash Bonus.

Governors of the 48 States and the
mayors of IA principal cities were
urged by the District Commissioners
today to discourage the proposed pill
grimages to Washington this Winter of
so-called hunger marchers" and other
groups of unemployed.
The plea was contained in telegram
signed by DR.. Luther H. Reichelderfer,
president of the Board of Commission
ers. which pointed out that the Dis
trict Government is utterly without
funds to feed or house these marchers."
and that their trip would inevitably
bring great discomfort and much
hardship"
At the same time Herbert Benjamin,
an alleged New York radical who led
the first army of hunger marchers to
Washington last December. in a con-
ference with newspaper men at the
District Building revealed in detail his
plans for bringing a second and larger
army which will lconverge on the Capt.
tai December 4. day before the con-
vening of Congress.
Farmers Plan March.
In addition the Farmers National
plans to invade Washington December 7
with a caravan of 500 reief-seeking
farmers.
DR.. Reichederfer's telegram to the
Governors and mayors read:
Information has reached the District
of Columbia government that large
bodies of unemployed persons propose
marching upon the National Capital
intent upon making various demands
upon Congress at its opening December
s. They propose commencing marches
within few days. Local government Is
utterly without funds either to house or
feed them. Resources of local charities
falling far short of meeting local de-
mands. and these demands are heavily
increasing without prospect OF add
tional help.
Groups Of this character before
starting should distinctly understand
that on arrival in Washington neither
food nor lodging can be furnished them.
and their trip will inevitably bring great
discomfort and much hardship. We
urge you to make the facts known in
your locality and We seek your hearty
cooperation in discouraging participa-
ton in such marches by your citizens. p"
Mayors Get Messages.
In addition to the Governors. the mes
sage went to the MAYORS of New York,
Buffalo Detroit Cleveland Youngs-
town, Chicago, indianapolis, ST. Louis,
San Francisco, Los Angeles. Seattle,
Denver, Kansas City and Portland, Ore.
Benjamin said he expected approx
mately 5000 unemployed men and
women. to participate in the new hun
ger march, or nearly twice the number
who took part in the first invasion OF
Washington last December. The march
ers, he declared, are coming in nine
columns, starting in the West. North
west, South and Southwest and the
New England States. The first column
is scheduled to leave Seattle next Tues
day Three days later the Western
column will leave San Francisco. These
columns will converge with those from
other points so as to reach Washing
ton Sunday, December 4.
In addition to these organized forces,
Benjamin said he expected their ranks
to be augmented by seamen and long
shoremen, who have asked permission
to Join in the movement.
Have Definite Program.
The hunger marchers will have a
definite program to follow after reach
ing Washington, according to Benja-
min, and will leave December 7, three
days after their arrival The program,
he explained, will be similar to the one
last year
First, the marchers will seek to petit
ton Congress for Federal dole of $50
for Winter relief of every unemployed
worker, plus $40 for each dependent;
unemployment insurance, and imme-
date payment of the soldiers bonus.
An attempt, he said. would be made to
make the same demand on President
Hoover
Benjamin declared his plans con-
template a parade, similar to that of
last December, when his army marched
to the Capitol, White House and Am
Continued on Page 2, Column S.