Evening star., 1932-08-12
Bonus Situation Here
Required Use of Troops
To the Editor of The Star.

~ tIle EultOr OF Inc star.
Gov. Pinchot, referring to the evac-
uation of the bonus marcherS by troops,
said it was not necessary TO use steam
shovel to dislodge a mosquito. But
from the distance the Governor mis-
took for an ordinary mosquito one which
was growing into a sprawling monster
endangering lives. A sure stroke was
necessary to its destruction.
Those familiar with the situation
scarcely could doubt troops eventually
would have to be called if the bonus
marchers were to be eEicted and law
and order preserved. With several
thousand idle, underfed men here, con-
ditions were continuously precarious,
the more so as this was the Capital
City.
The use of gas, the driving Of the
bonus marchers oat into the night, the
loss of some of their belongings and Iir-
ing of their shacks, all have been Scath-
ingly denounced. But should any CT
these things be weighed in the balance
with the horror of actual street tght-
ing? Had there not been quick, de-
cisive, final action, made possible only
by an overwhelming show of force, can
any one reasonably doubt there would
have been street battles and bloodShed?
The orders were Any women
and children should be accorded every
consideration and kindness. Use all
humanity consistent with the eKecu-
ton of this order"
Many bonus marchers insist the
Communists caused the disorders. Ger
tainly Communists, radicals and those
who would destroy the government
coursed through their ranks, but If
| they insisted on remaining here, Sleeps
clothing for a wolf, they should have
expected rough handling in any at
| tempt to remove the wolf.
But they themselves were not guilt
less. They remained here in gross vio-
| lation of law, order and plain decency.
The conditions under which they re-
manned here were a danger and men,
/ ace to themselves and the city, and a
| disgrace and insult to themselves, the
, city and the Nation.
No one wanted to see the soldier boy
harshly treated. No one would deprive
| him of his bonus, a job, a pension or
anything that could in reason be given
him. Deep sympathy for him over
shadowed judgment, causing injury
to himself and everyone else concerned.
No one could doubt the devotion and
love of Gen. Butler for his men. Yet
he unworthily advised them to remain
here and stick it out" 1t was with
grateful relief one learned when they
were in Johnstown he urged their re-
turn to their homes
| Congress arranged transportation for
them to their own communities AL
the papers in the city, including those
favoring immediate payment Of the
bonus, cordially and urgently invited
them to make use of such transporta-
ton. But their only answer to any and
all attempts to remove them from the
scenery was further to entrench them
selves and send for reinforcements
What was to be done? The burden
finally passed to the President-and on
the eve of the electionl
Now If the bonus marchers will only
indulge in a little personal inveStiga-
tion Of the question Of payments to
veterans he will be stunned at the colos-
sal totals thereof, and will feel chagrined
he raised such tempest over payment
of the bonus. Ruefully he will reflect
he rather deserved the trouncing he
got, and will take it standing.
Another time he will know something
Of the justice of his cause before he sc
! rashly goes over the top, only to find
himself in No Mans Land. as one oil
them facetiously put it. on the wrong
end of a bayonet
PAULINE WOOSTER.