The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-06-17
DEBATE ON BONUS
OPENED IN SENATE
AS VETERANS WATCH.
Galleries Packed by Men Who
Have Beseiged Congress
For Quick Action
EXTRA POLICE ON HAND
Brookhart, Robinson Of Indiana
and Blaine Give Support
to Proposal


the galleries packed by war veterans
and several thousand more massed
outside, the senate Friday pressed to-
ward q vote on the $1,000, 900 900
bonus bill which leaders predicted
faced certain defeat.
AS many as could jam into the visi-
tors galleries did SO when the doors
were opened two hours before the
senate met.
Leaders of the former service men
Icounselled against any disturbance.
Extra police were stationed at the
capitol to take care of any emergency
which might develop.
Senator Brookhart tRep.. Iowa., an
advocate of cash payment of the
bonus, took the floor at the start of
discussion.
THE bonus army might as we'll as
semble here as anywhere" Brookhart
said. "They have no jobs. can see
no reason why 100000, 100000 or
100000 shouldn't assemble here"
Shortly before the senate met,
Doak Carter of Cleveland addressed
crowd of veterans, across the street
from the senate steps.
I'VE are making history here" he
shouted, adding with wave Of both
arms: THE kind of history people
don't like to read!"
Asks Good Conduct
The voice of Representative Blan-
ton (Dem., Texas), urging the vet
Grams to remember that your friends
are counting on your good conduct"
was almost drowned out by cheers
from the bonus army.
Biantor told the veterans that If
they are patient "the bonus matter
will be settled to your satisfaction"
8 The impromptu speeches were
made from the wall surrounding the
park across from the capitol. At one
time the number Of veterans became
so large that vigilant capitol police
had trouble moving traffic.
Il don't think there Is q man here
who wouldn't rather have a Job than
cash payment Of the bonus," Brook
hart told the senate.
On the floor. the customary noises
were absent. Members-regardleSs of
their views on the question - paid
close attention.
On each senator's desk lay the re-
port of the finance committee which
commended currency initiation would
be disastrous to the country and that
the veterans were no worse off than
other citizens.
Halves Opposes Plan
Senator Halves Dem. Mo-. offered
the first opposition to the bill. He
said the original bonus law was mot
a fair settlement" but told the vet
Grams they should wait while" and
not ask for payment wnen the fed
eral government was struggling with
the depression.
Lets not think Of one group o.
citizens, but OF all" Halves said.
Sen. Blaine (Rep., Wis.,. said:
There Is no one who denies the obi
cation. The congress of the United
States has determined that there was
an obligation I need not discuss the
validity of that obligation.
Blaine contended that the $780,
600 900 in debentures which congress
authorized the reconstruction corpor-
dtlOI1 10 LSSuC WCAC VI AAOAAv3N0AAy VAAS
same character" as the obligations
proposed in the bonus bill. .-..
There is only one difference" he
said. "They we're designed for the
railroads and the banks and the
House of Morgan, while under this
bill they are designed for relief OF
human misery" Senator Robinson
of Indiana also spoke for the BILL
The veterans gave no indication Of
what they would do after the bonus
bill Is disposed Of. Under the dis
couraging succession Of heavy sum-
mer showers drenching their ram
shelters and open-air en-
campments, their numbers thinned a
little but there was no wholesale
abandonment OF their extraordinary
gesture of concentration at the door
of congress.
A large contingent Of the bonus
army occupied the capitol steps Fri
day and sent for their camp kitchens
with the expressed intention Of camp
ing there while the senate considered
thA hill