Evening star., 1932-10-14
B.E.F.RAPS HOOVER
| AS AN INDIVIDUAL
Field Commander Issues
Statement After Delegates
VISIT President.

capt" Hoke Smith, field commander
Of ths Bonus Expeditionary Force. who
with q delegation of 10 others, was re-
ceived by the President yesterday, issued
. statement last night, explaining that
. petition he presented to Gen. Frank T.
Hines at the White House on the occa-
sion of the meeting directed censure at
President Hoover the individual, and
not the Chief Executive.
The statement follows:
'As national field commander Of the
Bonus Expeditionary Force, I am glad
that the President saw fit to receive
the committee Of delegates elected by
its national convention. We are glad
tionary Force as bsing an organization
worthy OF the consideration Of the Chief
Executive OF the country to which We
have pledged our loyalty.
Not Criminal Group
I'VE feel that this proves that the
Bonus Expeditionary Force was not the
criminal group" that was so viciously
attacked by the Attorney General during
the middle Of September, Retrospection
often brings understanding even among
iiLSu 1OtcIuIilcIlL OIllCldIS.
Our petition presented to Gen. Hines
in the presence Of the President con-
tains items aimed ct the immediate re-
lief OF the destitute World War veterans
by providing ration allowances, bedding.
clothing, etc, through the medium Of
our organized and disciplined camps
and local units, and we feel that the
President will agree with us In our belief
that the World War veteran should not
be placed on the same level with the
broken-spirited, mentally helpless down.
and-outer for whom the missions, bread
lines and organized charity agencies
were intended.
Directed at Individual
Our severe censure was directed at
Mr.. Hoover. the individual, for the dras-
TIC means used in the forceful eviction
OF the Bonus Expeditionary Force from
the District Of Columbia and not at the
Chief Executive OF the country that we
love so we'll and We feel that this dras-
TIC action on his part was because he did
not understand the true situation or
was misinformed by those on whom he
relied for q true picture of the sitUa-
ton. 1t was this belief that caused us
10 present our petition to Gen. Hines in
the presence Of the President.
Gen. Hines has expressed a willing
ness to assist the Bonus Expeditionary
force IN every way possible in alleviat-
ing the present destitute condition of
the World War veterans and we have
agreed upon the program to be pursued
in effecting this relief
He has expressed his approval of
the practical relief program outlined
by the Bonus Expeditionary Force and
feel sure that from this interview
with the President today and the con-
ference with Gen. Hines, much can
be accomplished In the way OF imme-
diate relief to the destitute World War
veterans and their dependents.
Sees Material Aid.
I'VE feel that the Bonus Expedi-
tionary Force, by the establishment of
State camps and local units for the
practical and economical relief of the
veterans. will aid materially IN the
general welfare of the country. since
1t will relieve the now overtaxed local
organizations from the necessity Of
caring for these veterans and will en-
able the veterans to maintain their
self-respect as the defenders of their
Nations honor in 1917 and 1918"
Following the departure of the dele
CATION from the White House. Walter
H. Newton, one OF the Presidents sec
retaries. issued q statement quoting
PRESIDENT Hoover as saying he was
pleased the bonus marchers had de-
cided not Ito repeat the scenes that
occurred in Washington during the
last spring and Summer