Evening star., 1932-09-13


In the troubled area, ana with whom
Lieut.. Keck had talked, the situation
was beyond the control Of the police
and that bloodshed could only be avert
ed by the presence of Federal troops.
The Commissioners then stated that
before calling for military aid they de-
chief Of police. Lieut.. Keck returned to
the scene of action and communicated
the wishes Of the Commissioners to
Maj. Glassford, who stated, Since
Waters tmfaning the commander Of the
bonus marchers) has lost control Of his
own men, the police cannot control the
situation any longer" Maj. Glassford
accompanied Lieut.. Keck to the ONCE
OF the Commissioners. arriving about
o'clock pm. The former vas asked by
the Commk sioner II the situation was
out Of his control, to which he replied
In the Affirmative, and was supported
in this statement by Mr.. Walker. who
was with him.
MAI. 0lassford further stated in
substance that the police could no
longer hold the bonus marchers In
check. He was then asked = direct
question whether he thought it neces-
sary to secure the assistance OF Fed
The Commissioners at onse noti-
fed the chief of staff Of the United
States Army that undoubtedly the as
sistance Of troops would be necessary
and a request was made that they stand
by. Commissioners Reichelderfer and
Crosby then visited the area where the
seriousness of the condition was appar-
ent. After they returned to the District
Building 1t was reported to them by
Lieut. Keck that rioting had broken
out anew and q bonus marcher had
been killed. Thereupon the CommE-
SiOners dispatched q communication to
the President Of the United States re-
questing the assistance OF Federal
troops to preserve law and order In the
District Of Columbia. ,.
From this time until the troops ar
rived upon the scene Of disorder the
situation steadily grew worse. with a
constant increase tn the number Of
bonus marchers In the affected area
I'VE might add that, since about
o'clock pm. OF that day. every available
man on the police force, whether on or
of duty, had been ordered to and was
present at the scene OF disorder, leav-
ing the remainder of the District with
out police protection, excep, a few scout
cars No men remained to act as rein
forceMents or to relieve those on duty,
many Of whom had no rest since mid
night Of the preceding day. Threats
were being made by the bonus marchers
of serious violence when darkness fell.
Opinion Of Four inspectors.
"Tt is the opinion of Inspectors
Brown. Edwards, Bean and Davis, as
well as of the Commissioners. that had
the arrival OF the troops been delayed,
further blOodshed and death could not
have been averted.
III additional information Is desired.
we shall be glad to furnish 1t. Re-
spectfullv yours,
IL. H. RE1cHELDERFER,
President, Board of Commissioners Of
the District Of Columbia
mo doubt the Commissioners will
confirm the accuracy of the statements
contained in this letter They are also
confirmed by written statements In the
possession Of the department. made
few days after the riots by responsible
police ofhcials who were acting with
Maj. Gla.sford during the course of
the riots On July 28."
Later the Commissioners released a
second statement. as follows:
With reference to the statements
appearing in the press and purporting
to be made by the chief of police con-
cerning the presence Of troops on July
2s, the Commissioners of the District
Of Columbia assert positively that
Maj Glassford stated to them the sit
uation in the affected area was beyond
the control Of the police: that In re-
sponse to direct question as to
whether the presence of troops was
necessary, Maj. Glassford stated posi-
lively that the presence Of troops was
necessary.
Two Of the Commissioners then
visited the scene Of the disturbance
and likewise were convinced that the
presence OF troops was necessary II law
and order were to be restored and pre-
served. They thereupon asked that
troops be sent to the affected area. In
spectors Of police who were at the
scene were likewise of the same opinion
The Commissioners believe that the
presence of troops alone prevented
more serious bloodshed and far greater
disorder.
They call attention to the state
ment of fact which they made to the
Attorney General, dated August 2, and
which has been released by the De-
paYtment Of Justice"