Evening star., 1932-11-12
RidiouIe Idea They win Call
Militia Forces to Keep
Order in Capital.
LACK ANY AUTHORITY
TO ORDER MARTIAL LAW
Marchers Already Known Coming
Here Agree to Bring Own Sup
plies and Not Stay Long.

Published reports that District off,
cials probably would call out the Dis
trict militia to police" the so-called
hunger marchers" and other unem-
ployed groups planning to come to
Washington this Winter to petition
Congress for relief, were ridiculed today
by DR.. Luther H Reichelderfer, presi-
dent Of the Board Of Commissioners,
and Corporation Counsel william w.
Bride.
DR.. Reichelderfer and Mr.. Bride, both
pointed out that the Commissioners
have no authority to declare martial
law, and that the District militia is
under jurisdiction of the War Depart
ment-two factors which make it i'm
possible for any one connected with the
District Government to order out
troops.
Moreover, Commissioner Reichelderfer
explained. it is not the intention of
District officials to request the aid of
troops unless serious emergency arises,
and such condition Is not anticipated
II the groups that already have planned
p1lgrimageS to Washington in Decem-
Der, stick to their announced programs.
b. E. F. Plan Followed.
1t was explained at the District
Building that the Commissioners have
a definite plan in view for handling
any unemployed groups that come to
Washington-a plan patterned after
that followed with the bonus army.
First. the Police Department will be
charged with maintaining law and
order and protecting life and property,
and should an emergency arise beyond
control of the police, then, and only as
final resort, the President would be
asked to call out troops.
DR.. Reichelderfer, however, does not
believe any trouble will develop IL the
proposed invasion of farmers and
hunger marchers" next month materi-
alizes. and these groups leave WASH
ington in accordance with the an
nounced schedules of their respective
leaders The Commissioners, neverthe-
less, he said, have taken steps to dis
courage these pilgrimages because the
District Government is utterly without
funds to house or feed the marchers.
Leaders Of the groups that already
have planned to come to Washington
have assured District officials that their
stay would be brief and that arrange
ments would be made to feed and shell
ter the marchers. In that event, 1t is
unlikely that any steps will be taken
to prevent them from entering the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
Might Become Burden.
What the Commissioners fear is that
some of the marchers might become
public charges, especially at a time
when the resourcesHof District chari-
ties are falling far short of meeting
increasing demands. The farmerr,
however. have promised to leave within
48 hours after their arrival. and the
hunger marchers" have planned a
three-day visit. If these schedules are
adhered to. District officials said there
would be no reason for anticipating
trouble.
The Commissioners have not vet re-
ceived replies to the telegram sent yes
terday to the Governors of 48 States
and the mayors of principal cities, ap-
pealing to them to discourage particle
patton in the proposed marches by per-
sons in their respective jurisdictions,
Groups OF this character, the Commits
sioners told the State and city officials,
should distinctly understand, before
starting, that on arrival in washington
neither food nor shelter could be fur
nished, and their trip would inevitably
bring great discomfort and much hard
ship.