The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-12
Hoover Attacks
 the Bonus Army
tContinued from Page 1,

"The president of the United States being charged with high duties over and beyond the execu- tion of the law handled the whole situation in a regrettable manner.
 Attorney General Mitchell's re- port read:
 "The prompt use of the military to outnumber and 'overawe the disturbers prevented a calamity
 Hanford MacNider, former ,na. tional commander of the legion, who denied reports he was sent here by the administration to fight against a censure by the legion called the resolution of censure "a movement to embarrass the ad- ministration on the eve of na- tional election" He said the lead CTS were too wise to permit the or garlizatlon to become embroiled in national politics.
 Some other iegionnaires, how. ever, called the presidents report a move to head off the Pennsyl- vania resolution. which Is similar to resolutions endorsed by Massa- chusetts, New Jersey, New Mex. ico, Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Mary land state conventions.
 Commander Henry l.. Stevens prepared to rap the 14th national convention to order here to-day with the bonus, treatment of the bonus marchers and choice of a successor to Stevens as the prin- cipal issues before the convention.
 A small but determined anti bonus force was marshalled last night by Sam Reynolds of Omaha q candidate for commander.
 The Nebraska delegation of 200 pledged by state convention rule to oppose immediate cash payment on adjusted compensation certificates was backed by the delegations o1 South Carolina and Florida, sim- ilarly instructed.
 Opposing them, however, were some 36 state delegations that had favored bonus payments immedt- ately. They plan to shove through as one of the first orders of business the resolution which President Hoover blocked by a dramatic per sonal appeal before the 1881 con- vention.
 Although the Nebraska group will fight any bonus movement. the minority group aligned with them Is expected to concentrate on hold ing the almost certain resolution in such form that immediate cash payment will not be. demanded-a demand they declare would wreck government finances should 1t be met.
 Secretary of War Patrick ! Hurley, who arrived last night and retired early after two nasty con- ferences with leaders, denied that he had been sent by the president either to fight the bonus or the censure resolution.
 "I came here as a delegate from Iowa. with instructions to vote for the bonus." said MacNidcr, before flying back to Iawo where his sons are sick. While I am opposed per- sonally to asking the national gov- ernment for any more bonus pay ments at this time I would not throw my delegation down on their instructions. would be obliged against my own convictions to vote for the bonus.
 "Some delegates are coming here with 12-word resolutions. If the nation were to do what they ask 1t would ruin our country finances. The legion has always been sensible and expect 1t to continue to be sensible"
 Senator Wright Patman oi Texas, temporary chairman o1 bonus advocates, complacently in dicated the delegates apparently believed the bonus measure certain of passage.
 The convention was to open al noon EST. The 40 and g.. fun. making organization within the legion, will convene at p. m. and will climax hilarity with the grand parade at 10 D.. m.
 Chief among Mitchelrs points as authorized by Hoover:
 l. The continued presence oi 5000 to 5000 marchers after con. gress adjourned was a menace tc public safety, and action. of the troops prevented a calamity."
 2. The two bonus marcheri slain, were killed by police in the pre-evacuation riot. "in self de, fense" and were not killed b, troops.
 9. Fires at the bonus camp were started by members of ths b. E. Fs ITVOpb OHIy UuTnco ut remaining debris. Eye witnessel and photographs had disputed this.
 (. Women and children wers furnished aid and transportation home through the Red Cross. 6. The police asked for fedora aid, and prompt response possibl' prevented "a pitched battle on large scaie."
 (. "There ts no evidence what ever that any women or ehiidref were injured or iii-treated." The attorney generals regor was described ss c "poiitiesi aiibi' contact officer Of me .. Y. 2: .
 Tt is an attempt e justify th! heiploss men, wemsn and ehildre'