Evening star., 1932-07-15
MARCH Of DEATH"
HALTED BY REDS
Robertson Orders Men to Bill
lets When Radical WING
InvadeS Grounds.
Continued From First Page.)

the boards authority after a detach-
ment OF heavily-armed Marines had
been called to the Capitol by an order
emanating frcm a source yet unknown.
Today's statement did not explain who
ordered the Marines called out, and this
remained mystery with Vice President
Curtis denying responsibility.
At the time the police head was per-
sonally breaking up crowd which had
gathered On the Capitol grounds op-
pOsite the Congressional Library, where
the left wing or Communist group
finally held meeting after their parade
Gen. GlaSSford Immediately answered
by issuing a statement pointing out
/ that the responsibility for law and
order" in the District has been placed
squarely upon my shoulders and that
as superintendent of Metropolitan
Police 1T became necessary in this
emergency to take from the group
known as the Capitol Police Board. the
responsibility for maintaining lsE and
order in the Capitol grounds -"
The statement, written with a pencil
while seated in the sidecar of a police
motor cycle on the Capitol Plaza,
follows:
The situation at the Capitol grounds
has been fraught with dangers during
the past three days. A small group OF
less than 400 veterans from the West
Coast recently arrived has insisted
upon occupying the Capitol grounds
until Congress adjournS
The situation has demanded the
Utmost diplomacy in avoiding an issue
over some unimportant regulations
which would o. as recruits the many
thousands of ~-rans not participating
in this occupation.
There have been no disorders, no
damage to property and no large con-
gregationS during the past three days,
except of citizens attracted by the
spectacle.
Single Authority Needed.
with so many members of the Cap
1tol Building staff apparently author
lied to give orders and interpret the
regulations, 1t obviously was necessary
for some one man to assume authority.
From 35 to so metropolitan police Off
GERS have been on duty at the Capitol
at the request of the Capitol officials.
situation has been created on the
Capitol grounds such that intolerance
or a blunder would quickly affect the
situation in the entire District. where
the responsibility for law and order has
been placed Squarely upon my
shoulders.
For this reason it became necessary
in this emergency TO take from the
group known as the Capitol Police
Board the responsibility for maintain
ing law and order in the Capitol
Grounds and for enforcing such regu-
lationS pertaining to these grounds as
would be possible without inviting vio
lence.
The Vice President told me in per-
son that he did not desire violence
The showdown on authority in the
Capitol grounds came while the band Of
Communists paraded down Pennsylvania
avenue. broke up below the Peace Monu-
ment and formed a mass meeting on the
steps of the Library of Congress to draft
committee for the presentation CT
Journ until bonus and relief legislation
is enacted.
Robertson Goes Sleepless.
Robertson. who brought his band of
California veterans into Washington
only last Sunday after strenuous
transcontinental trek, has had practi-
cally no sleep since he began the occu-
patton of the Capitol nearly four days
ago. He collapsed late yesterday from
overwork and was forced to spend most
Of the night resting
AS the siege of the Capitol continued
earlier today. additional members of the
so-called Bonus Expeditionary Force
Joined the tireless Robertson's contin-
gent. apparently believing his campaign
of invasion will accomplish more than
the tactics of Walter w. Waters, B. E.
F. national commander.
The men won a victory last night
when they slept under bushes and trees
on the Capitol grounds. This morning
officers permitted" the weary marchers
to sit on the coping around the Capitol
lawn to rest
The Communists, angry over the re-