The Indianapolis times., 1932-09-13
POLICE CHIEF
DENIES BONUS
CHARGE TRUTH
MitcheIl'S Statement That
Criminals Led MarcherS
Hit by GIasSford.
MADE CAMPAIGN ISSUE
Hoover Seeks Veteran Vote
by Denouncing Motives
of Army.
BY NED BROOKS
Times STAFF Writer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 49, - Re-
sentiment at the administrations
charge that the bonus army was
dominated by criminals and Com
munists seemed certain today to
project the eviction of the ragged
marchers into presidential cam
paign.
Into the thick of the battle went
Pelham D. GlaSsford, chief of the
metropolitan police, Who issued a
statement challenging The truth of
the report of AUtorney-G General
Mitchell to President Hoover on the
bonus disorders of July %.
Braving the threat that his ut
terances may cost him his job,
Glassford declared that Mitchell's
report contains assertions in con-
f1ict with police records and with
facts known to the police depart
ment.'
Denies Call for Troops
Glassford said there actually was
a decrease in Washington crime
during the bonus siege; that the
number of radicals" at no time
reached more than 230; that the
large majority of veterans remained
orderly and that at no time, con-
trary to Mitchells report, did he
request the use of troops.
President Hoover and his political
counsellorS we're reported concerned
at the latest turn in their attempts
to justify the routine of the march
erS by fire and sword.
The reported revolt of delegates
to the Portland convention of the
American Legion against conserva-
tive leaders bent on squelching a
resolution of condemnation against
the administration was one develop
ment which aroused concern.
A number of bonus leaders also
attacked the administration as re-
suit of Mitchells charges.
Made Campaign Issue
Mitchells statement, announced
by President Hoover, was general
ly interpreted as an attempt of the
administration to win the support
of ex-service men and voters at
large by denouncing the character
and motives of the bonus army.
The statement was taken to in
dicate that the President is willing
to carry the matter to the voters as
a campaign issue
Answering Mitchells charge that
the bonus army probably brought
into Washington the largest aggre-
cation of criminals ever assembled
in the city" Glassford said:
According to police records, there
was less crime in the District of Co.
lumbia during either June or July
than during August, after the vet
Grams had been evicted."
Few on Serious Charges
Of the S62 arrests of bonus
marchers, Glassford pointed out,
only twelve were on serious charges.
He made public a tabulation of the
arrests, showing 156 were for in
toxication, 80 for investigation and
% for drunkenness and disorder.
Contrary to Mitchell's findings of
Communism and crime, Glassford
reported many demonstrations of
patriotism and discipline by the
great mass of the unemployed vet
eranS."
The bonus camp which Mitchell
says was occupied principally by
Communists, headed by John T.
Pace" Glassford said contained only
$50 members of the Soldiers Ex-
service Mems League, a radical or
ganization.
There were nine units in this
particular camp, Glassford said, and
only one unit was made up of radi-
Gals. The camp, he said, contained
824 men.
Mitchell Challenges Statement.
Glassford repeated his denial that
he had called for troops, a state
ment which was challenged imme-
diately by Mitchell. The attorney
general, after, receiving an advance
copy of Glassford's statement. made
public letter from the district COM
missioners, quoting Glassford as
saying at the time of the disorders.
that the situation had gone beyond
his control and that troops would be
needed.
In reply to MitchelIs statement
that the entire mob became hos
tile and riotous" during the Penn
Sylvania avenue disorders, Glassford
said that "a large proportion of the
veterans remained loyal to law and
order"
He also defended his department
against Mitchells charge that ef-
forts to bring the rioters to Justice
had been impeded by shortcomings
on the part of the police.