The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-16
LOCK CAPITOL
DOORS IN FEAR
OF BONUS RIOT
Disorder Scare Grows as
Main Army Joins in
Death Siege
COPS ARREST LEADERS
Waters and Robertson Are
Released on Promises
to Control Men.
By United Press

W OUIIllUl McIls
By United Press
WASHINGTON, July 16.-The
great bronze gates of the United
States capitol changed shut today
as if in knell for the hopes of
1900 shouting, singing veterans, who
massed outside protesting against
the impending adjournment of con-
gress.
The locking of the doors was or
dered after a tumultuous morning
during which two leaders of the
bonus expeditionary forces were held
temporarily in police custody.
Roy Robertson, crippled leader
of the California regiment that has
maintained vigil on the capitol
plaza for more than three days, and
Walter w. Waters, commander of
the main body of the bonus army
spent several minutes with police
inside the capitol.
They were released only after
they gave assurance they could con-
troll their men.
Ri0ting Scare Grows
For five tense minutes today it
seemed that the eight-Week occu-
patton of Washington by the vete-
rams was to climax in disorder. Out
of the Anacostia camp came $500
reinforcements for the California
band, drums rolling the advance
and bugle notes splitting the air.
On CAPITOL hill the men surged
toward the main entrance, shouting
defiance.
Disorder was ayerted by police
chief Pelham Glassford, who rode
into the center of the throng on
a motorcycle and made brief
speech that restored order.
Thirty American flags, ragged
from wear and stained by time and
travel, were massed on the curb.
Around them rallied the ex-soldiers,
singing America" "Over There"
and Hail, Hail, the Gangs All
Here
Death March" Goes On
Robertson's contingent was a
midst of the milling thousands from
Anacostia, but the unrelenting
death march," started three days
ago, never stopped.
Inside the Capitol congressman
talked of war debts, bulwarked
against the clamor from outside by
the thick walls.
An effort of leaders of the bonus
army to carry their fight directly
to President Hoover was frustrated
at the White House.
Captain Eugene Everett of Ma
plewood, N. j., national finance Of
ficer of the bonus expeditionary
force, sought an appointment for
himself and Waters, but was re-
fused.
Everett saw Theodore Joslin, one
of the Presidents secretaries, who
! told him the President was too busy
to see him.
Veterans Keep Step
Everett said he and Waters want
cd to present the President with a
#petition asking that congress merely
Srecess rather than adjourn, to per-
Unit an early reconvening for con-
sideration of the bonus demands.
Eerett frankly was disappointed
at the failure of his efforts to see
Mr.. Hoover, but denided that the
bonus troops planned any retalis-
tory steps.
Waters, after his release, won
permission from General Glassford
for the meen to occupy the broad
center steps of the Capitol and the
plaza in which they already were
congregated.
Comrades" shouted Waters, I
have received permission for you to
occupy the Capitol steps in the mid
die of the plaza, but you must keep
a pathway clear down the center so
the white collar gentlemen upstairs
can get out without brushing into
us rats
Fears Inside Mount
While the veterans gathered in
front of the Capitol building there
was frank CONSERVATION within the
Capitol. Small groups gathered at
every window. May expressed a
fear that the veterans would at
tempt to rush the building.
Captain Stephen GnaSh of the
Capitol police stood behind the
locked center doors on the main
floor. He refused newspaper men
permission to pass back and forth.
Waters obtained an interview with
Speaker Garner. asking him to de-
lay adjournment of congress until
another bonus proposal could be
brought forward. He said Garner
told him he would consider the
matter
Waters reported the results of the
conference to his men and soon the
main forces of the bonus forces be-
gan moving out of the Capitol to-
ward their camps. Only Robertson S
contingent maintained its march
back and forth across the concrete