Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-13
DR|zzLE SCAT:JERS
BONUS MARCHERS
Contingents Extended Over
Many Sites as Rain Adds
to DisC0mf0rts.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

above AnacoStia, WaShington'S tattered
and battered army of occupation was
scattered in the constant drizzle this
morning.
1t seems to have withstood without
many casualties the drenching Of yes
low, riverside jungle OF Camp Marks
behind the Navy Yard covered with
mud and muck. The leaders Of the B.
E. F. have dreaded the effect of heavy
rain on the spirits Of the men, but they
did not appear any more irritable than
usual today, and there have been only
a few assertions.
At Camp Bartlett, high over Ana
costa, is encamped the aristocracy OF
this bonus army-four or five COM
panies Of clean-cut. well disciplined
veterans from Iowa, Kentucky and Illi-
nois, who appreciate the good luck
which has placed them in Army tents
on this sandy hillside where mud does
not form. Most Of them came in yes
terday and last night and have already
made themselves comfortable
by "foraging" around the neighborhood.
But it has been perfectly gentlemanly
foraging which has brought from the
nearby houses old cots, boards to make
floors for the tents I'D few blankets.
RESPOND 10 sick CALL"
Quite different was the situation with
the Southern bonus invaders placed in
the partially demolished building at
Sixth street and Pennsylvania avenue
They were rapidly bringing order out
Of confusion, however, with the es-
tablishment of field kitchen
There were plenty of responses to
sick call" today especially from the
drenched Camp Marks. The police am
bulance was continually on the road
between the camp and the station Of
the medical detachment of the 9Th
Marines on Indiana avenue. Here Is
one outfit that deserves as much credit
as can be given it for the assistance 1t
has rendered in this emergency. Doc
tors and enlisted men have worked at
high speed and under tension almost
continuously to tend the never-ending
line of casualties brought to the clinic
by the police. About every sort of med
ical service has been required from the
washing out Of noses and Threats to
minor surgery and bandaging. All the
time a close watch has been kept for
any sign Of an infectious disease. Thus
far. despite the VIGOROUSLY tnsanitary
conditions at Camp Marks, none has
been found. The doctors and enlisted
men have kept on the job, all the time
hoping for relief with the establishment
OF field hospital. Only the most Sc
rlous cases have been hospitalized at
Gallinger. There are four or five pneu-
monia cases in the hospital, it was
stated this morning.
Few Leave Camp.
Despite the extreme discomfort of
the Anacostia jungle camp, few of the
men have shown any inclination to 60
home. Nels Anderson, Columbia Uni
versity professor and special agent of
Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who came
here Saturday in an effort to persuade
the New York City contingent to re-
turn home. got very little response from
the men. Arrangements had been made
he said, to pay their fare back to New
York City and then have them work it
out"
Anderson, nationally known sociol-
ogist, points out that the departure of
this rapidly growing army of occupa-
ton may be an even more serious prob
lem than their arrival here Some will
return to their homes by the shortest
possible route as soon as they learn
definitely the fate of the Patman bill
But there are others, he points out, for
whom home" offers nothing and who
have learned the technique of living of
the country. They may break up into
rowing bands, find their ranks aug
mented by others Of the army of job
less who are not war veterans, and
establish themselves in 'jungles' SINH
lar to Camp Marks on the outskirts of
other American cities
The way these men have fallen into
the military pattern remembered from
war days. he pointed out, constitutes a
remarkable feature of the bonus in
vasion. He found the New York group
entirely loyal to its three leaders, who
appeared to speak the minds of their
contingents.
Camp Marks Growing.
In spite of the establishment of the
new camps. Camp Marks appeared to be
increasing In size today as more and
more of the ramshackle shelters were
erected. each displaying its character
istic slogan or the name of the COM
munity from which its occupants came
President Hoover and Senator David
A. Reed of Pennsylvania are the special
victims of the B. E. F. slogan makers.
An Oklahoma group placarded their
corner of the jungle as "Hoover's poor
farm" In front of Pennsylvania mess
shack are displayed glass of water
them, Hoover diet" The next shack
offers as its exhibit two bare bones with
the sign, Contributed by Senator
Reed"
This Is HOMETOWN" reads the
placard over group Of grass and tin
can huts erected by a Brooklyn con-
tingent. Hotel Hoover de luxe" is dis
played over a junk-pile shelter. Bonus,
not bones, Mr. Hoover" Is painted across
the front of the shirt worn by the cook
of one of the Pennsylvania detach-
ments.
The most popular totem" of this
nondescript army of invasion appears to
be tree branch stuck in the ground in
front of the shelter, as if to take root
I'VE will have shade in 1945," reads
one sign"
Slogans Multiply.
Others fall into doggerel such as:
'"Tree let's hope you grow nice and high,
But If our bonus they don't pay
In your shade we will stay
Till 1945."
Slogans multiply rapidly. Almost
every new outfit that comes In has
few. such as:
I'VE slept in the mud in France. we
sure can sleep here"
WAR Is hell, but loaf1ng is worse"
Not for rent until l945."
Poor boys out of work, trying to get
their back pay"
I'VE need bonus, we want beer,
But prosperity bonds will cheer"
I'm the land of Utah
OF hungry women and children we have
plenty,
But of finances we haven't penny"
"1917, Berlin or bust;
1882, bonus or poorhouse."
PAY the debt, to the vet"
Here Are My Six Reasons for Com
ing to Washington-Look Inside" is
painted across the back Of one dilapi-
dated car. Inside is pile of children's
clothing.
Many of the invaders were writing
home today, as the Salvation Army es-
tablished a tent where writing paper