Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-08
Bonus Marchers Offer a
Grave National Problem

1t is said that an idle brain is the
DEVILS workshop, and it seems to me
exemplif1ed q Thousand fold In the con-
fusion of the so-called Bonus
Marchers" now in Washington, and on
their way to this Capital. I nave been
following the reports of this movement
in the papers from day to day and
have Just read Thomas r. Henry's
article in today's Evening Star about
the Army Strangely Mute" which ap-
parently describes the fundamental
impulses that moved these men to
march on Washington; and with the
idea of outlining a helpful suggestion,
l am writing this letter
It is an irreparable loss to the Ma
ton. and a ruinous waste Of virile man
hood to permit conditions to continue
in their present trend; 1t imperils not
only the men themselves, but endangers
the communities in which they are
quartered There must be some master
mind to cope with the situation, TO take
the helm and shape the future deStlnleS
of not only the men now mere, but
those en- route; they need some doml-
mating friendly leader to direct and con-
troll these disheartened ex-service men,
a guiding intelligence that Will set up
a new lodestar of hope for them in the
days to come. 1t is quite out OF the
question to transform this demoraliZed
condition in day, but these men can
be, must be. reclaimed to society and
made useful citizens in the worlds
work during the years to come; help
ing hand by the Government just now,
a little intelligent direction must be
exercised. and the time has arrived Tor
emergency action.
1t is suggested that attention be
called to the broad powers OF the Presi-
dent for protection of the Nation during
times of stress. and, If he be not now
vested with ample authority, he may
require of Congress now in session the
inveStiture of that authority, to the end
that this menace to the national au-
thority be abated that the orderly pro-
gress of reclamation be set up for the
salvaging OF these thousands OF lives,
and at the same time for the preserva-
ton of orderly civic administration OF
civic communities menaceo by tneSe
disturbing elements.
1t is within the province of delegated
power for the President to designate
some high-ranking military officer to
take charge of this national defense
means. to provide sufficient military
personnel and authority to direct this
venture along lines of safety, as was
done in 1917. in the preparation OF the
military encampments; these and all
other able-boded men drifting about
the country should be moved to some
suitable and convenient locality. where
agricultural land. houses, tools and
machinery may be made available for
the employment of all such men in
purposeful manual labor: set them to
work preparing shelters for themselves.
the cultivation and preparation Of their
own food the administration of their
own affairs in an orderly lawful man
ner. which will not imperil the national
civic organizations; feed them plenty
of good wholesome food, but provide
only the actual necessities of life. and
under such conditions as may appear
wise and beneficent. Compel every
able bodied man to labor daily for his
own food and raiment, provide whole
some literature and sanitary surround
ingS for them. start some suitable edu-
cational movement among them that
will prevent this recrudeScence of mind
in the years to come. Prepare these
men for re-entry into gainful occupa-
tions, as circumstances permit; let this
reclamation work be carried out by
means of a civic organization. under
military direction. and under the most
CUIlulllOllS
1t is further suggested that they be
fed at national expense from reserves
of grain and other provisions now
under control of the Agriculture De-
partment and Of the War Department.
supplemented by such additional foods
as may be produced by the men them
selves; set them to work for themselves
in some purposeful way. first to feed
and clothe themselves: to build barracks
and quarters for themselves, to operate
farms and machinery. and do all
manner of things needful for the sue
cessful administration Of the enter
prise.
Provide haven for these weary and
discouraged souls for a few days or
whatever time may be required to re-
claim them, divert their minds from
their woes by wholesome labor: and in
little while. a new star Of hope will
spring up in their lives and make them
men with ambitions to achieve worthy
things. AS industry revives, permit
them to take their accustomed places in
whatever trades or occupations may
and so continue this reclamation
process until there is no need for
such continued activities, which will
likely cover several years.
1t will be apparent that there will be
no place in such community for COM
munists and other like trouble makers;
and the sooner these subversive ele-
ments are eliminated the better it will
be for the Nation at large; but We must
act promptly if We would redeem these
despairing souls from the depths into
which they have fallen.
NEWTON j. DARDEN.