Evening star., 1932-07-18
The Bonus Cause Now Hopeless.

Two months ago large groups OF men
advanced upon Washington from diff
ferent parts of the country. veterans
of the Great War, seeking to obtain
from Congress an enactment giving
them the remainder of their adjusted
compensation, or bonus, due in 1945
according to the previous legislation.
They based their claim on their needs.
their lack Of employment, their failure
of hope for early succor from distress.
In response to their demand the House
of Representatives passed the bonus
payment bill but the Senate by very
large majority rejected it. Despite this
rejection, which definitely ended the
chance of relief through this measure
at the first session of the Seventy
second Congress. the bonus marchers
remained and their ranks were aug
mented by new arrivals. Some came
only about ten days ago, when there
was absolutely no prospect of any
action.
Congress has now adjourned. There
Is no probability of its reassembling in
extra session All the urgent legisla-
ton demanded by the economic condi-
ton of the country has been enacted.
Yet the leaders of the bonus army
avowed their determination to stay in
Washington throughout the Summer
and the Autumn, some in the hope
that the President will summon Con-
gress in extra session, some, without
regard to that possibility, declaring that
they will stay here in any case mas
much as they have no prospect of en-
ployment at home and might as we'll
sojourn in Washington as elsewhere.
Thus far there have been no grave
disorders as result of the assemblage
Of these thousands of men in Wash
ington. Their leadership has been eff
cient in restraining the ranks of the
marchers from other than spectacular
demonstrations, although on Saturday
night a group of the more radical ele-
ment undertook to picket the White
House and were dispersed by the police
with little difficulty. Today some of
these malcontents demonstrated at
the Police Court, where three of their
number had been taken in conse-
quence of their actions on Saturday.
Congress has passed joint resolu-
ton providing funds out of the pro-
spective bonus money for the trans
portation and subsistence on the way
of such of these veterans as wish to
return to their homes. The time limit
expiring on Thursday last has been eX-
tended to week from today. There is
no reason why they should not all avail
themselves of this opportunity. If they
are urged by their leaders to refrain
from this action. then, indeed has their
guidance been evil. They cannot pos
sibly secure any advantage by remain
ing. There are no public funds for
their maintenance here. There Is no
disposition on the part Of the public
to assist them. They have been getting
funds and supplies from some quarters,
mostly sympathizers with their plight
and purpose, but now that Congress
has gone. and With it their last chance
of immediate or sarly legislative sue
cess, it is probable that these resources
will diminish and soon cease.
Washington hopes and expects that
these misguided, deluded men will now
leave. 1t has treated them with toler-
ance, it has provided them with resting
place.. 1t cannot provide them VIM
employment and it cannot maintain
them. They have no grievance against
this community. They should no longer
visit it with the possibility of pesti-
lence, the risk of which lies in large
gatherings of people without proper
food and adequate sanitation. If their
leaders with stubborn insistence con-
tinue their advice to remain they
should for their own sakes take advan-
tage during this last week of the oppor-
tunity to return to their homes with
greater facility and in better order
than in their futile advance upon the
Capital in a hopeless cause.