Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-19
GLASSFORD MAKES
! APOLOGY TO B. Eff.
Sends Letter of Regret to
Waters for Raising of Draw
in Eleventh Street Span.

Superintendent of Police Pelham D.
Glassford last night formally apologized
to National Commander Walter w.
Waters OF the Bonus Expeditionary
Force for the order resulting in the
raising of the draw in Eleventh street
bridge Friday night to prevent thou
sands of veterans from coming into the
city from Camp Marks.
1T was mistake to have done 50
and the entire Police Department
recognizes it as much" Gen Glass
ford wrote in letter to Waters.
Less than three hours before, at a
press conference. Gen. Glassford an
nounced he had no apologies to make"
for the order, and he had mo fault
to find with it." The blockade was
ordered by Assistant Superintendent L.
I. H. Edwards when reports were re-
ceived that 1.-The entire outfit at Camp
Marks" was preparing to march across
the bridge and up to the Capitol.
Tells of Red Plot.
At the press conference Gen. Glass
ford revealed that the action was taken
on information received at this Office
in my absence" He then disclosed
that c. F. French, commander of Camp
Bartlett, had advised the department
that band of Communist-inclined
veterans had plotted to invade the city
and take over one of the Government
buildings"
Everybody naturally was little on
edge. The veterans themselves have
been orderly enough, but nothing mere
than few leaders and some orator.
hold them together, and the whole
thing is liable to collapse at any
moment.
Instructions I gave were that in
case of a disorderly demonstration at
the camp incident to the action of
Congress. or in case of any demonstra-
ton which would lead to the belief
thst one would be made, the draw
should be raised; the object being, Of
course. to reduce the number OF men
we would have to deal with.
The order raising the draw was is
sued on information received at this
Office in nv absence. I have no fault
to find with it. The plan was merely
q safeguard.
inspector Edwards got little con-
cerned over the information he re-
ceived"
Text of Letter.
The letter follows:
Dear Waters: ! wish to express to
you and to the Bonus Expeditionary
Forces my regret over the incident
which occurred last night when the
drawbridge at Eleventh street was raised
under instructions from the Police De-
partment.
LAS you can well conceive, with so
many visiting veterans in the city, there
has been considerable concern among
Federal and Washington officials. as we'll
as residents of the District, as to what
might occur, induced by mob psy-
chology, should the bcnus bill receive
unfavorable action by the National
Legislature.
Under these circumstances 1t was
necessary to have plans prepared for
any contingency. Plans existed and
instructions were given by me that
should the veterans at the Capitol
Building become disorderly or rictous
that the Eleventh Street bridge should
be raised. I can tell you frankly that
had no personal anticipation of such
an exigency, but you can we'll realize
that under my responsibility in safe
guarding the National Capital it was
absolutely essential to have plans.
During my absence at the Capitol
Building and in securing food for one
of the elements of your command at
2l0 Thirteenth street southeast, reports
received at my headquarters, not only
from police sources but from one of
your camp commanders, induced the
officer whom I had left in charge to
believe 1t expedient to raise this bridge
It was a mistake to have done so and
the entire Police Department recog-
niZeS it as such.
THE exemplary conduct, discipline
and loyal attitude of your officers and
men has been remarkable and I trust
that incident will not induce any men,
Der of the B. E. F. to believe that there
Is to be any change in the policy of
the Police Department with reference
to the manner in which We have CO.
operated up to this time.
Very Truly Yours.
(Signed) PELHAM D. GLASSFORD."