Imperial Valley press., 1932-06-13
VETERANS
CAM P AT
CITY PARK
California Contingent OF
Bonus Army Arrives
Here During Night.
LEAVE TOMORROW
Over 1000 Men Included
In Group Bound For
Capital OF Nation.

BY airplane and auto, more than
1000 World war veterans knitted
into a compact organization of
squads, platoons and companies,
last night and this morning oc-
cupied Ell Cciitro as one of the
preliminary objectives in their
bonus march on Washington, D. c.,
where they will join other veterans
in demanding immediate payment
of the soldiers bonus.
El Centro brought several new
developments in the croSS-country
trek of the jobless veterans. They
were:
The action of the Fruit and
Vegetable Packers association of
California in ordering shipments
of carload of Imperial Valley
cantaloupes from BraWley to the
bonus camp at Washington.
The announcement by Com. r. w.
Robertson that lack of transporta-
ton will make necessary an appeal
20 Gov. James Rolph, jr., to furnish
automobiles and trucks for the
California division of the bonus
army.
The arrival at the Imperial
county airport of two airplane5
making up the present aerial di-
vision of the California bonus
army, under the leadership of Rus
sell r. Benton. Arthur C.. Nelson
is a pilot.
The announcement by Com
mander Robertson that his army
has now reached such proportions
that ii numbers more than 1900
men. Many of these veterans are
accompanied by their wives and
children.
Benton, commander of the aerial
division, said this morning that it
is expected the air corps will have
about IS planes by the time Wash
ington is reached. The aerial di-
vision now supports ground crew
of 18 men, including four licensed
parachute jumpers.
Planes are used in making ar
rangements at advance points for
the bonus army. One plane left the
Imperial airport this morning for
Phoenix, Ariz., to make arrange
mentS there for the veterans.
Commander Robertson today was
undecided just when his army will
move. 1t may not be until some
time tomorrow, he said.
To Give Shows
The entertainment department of
the army planned two shows for
the Ell Centro stop, one this after
noon and one about o'clock to-
night. The program will be fur
niShed by the Bonus Hill Billies.'
A large part of the money necessary
to finance such large undertak-
ing as this cross-country march is
collected at these shows.
Another announcement in con-
nection with the march was that
of Commander Robertson that ali
donations are solicited by the press
department. the chaplain or the
welfare department, and that all
representative of these depart
ments are furnished with creden-
tials. All others are impostors,
Robertson said, and he has asked
officers to procure their arrest.
Members of the army are jubi-
lant over the action OF the Fruit
and Vegetable Packers association
in shipping a carload of canta-
loupes to Washington, seeing this
as the beginning of a nationwide
movement to support the marchers
with food in their battle for pay
ment of the bonus.
Members of the army began ar
irving in FL Centro last night, and
continued to come throughout the
night and even this morning from
San Bernardino, the last stop. Max
ing headquarters at the city park,
the marchers made up a motley
group
Automobiles and trucks of every
description are included in the mo-
torcade to Washington. Most OF
the cars seem almost too dllapl-
dated to finish the journey, but
drivers grimly declare their inten-
ton to push on. -...
While some slept this morning,
others gathered in groups to discuss
their aims, and still others made
necessary repairs to the over-laden
and hard pressed automobiles. Com
mander Robertson was always sur
runded by group awaiting orders.
The Yuma Sentinel advised this
afternoon that Governor Hunt OF
Arizona had instructed Arizona
border officials to notify him when
the California contingent nears the
borders of his state.
Governor Hunt asked that the
men be instructed to route them
selves via Phoenix where two large
fields, partially equipped with show
er baths, will be placed at their
disposal and the veterans made
welcome.