The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-08
5000 MARCH
IN GRIM PLEA
FOR BONUS
Somber Shadow of Mighty
Army of 1919 ParadeS
Through Washington.
CHEERED BY THR0NG
Veterans Prepare for Long
Siege, Despite Lack
of Food.
BY JOHN REICHMANN
United Press sten Correspondent

WASHINGTON. June 3 IT. The
force Ct its numbers demonstrated
in a grim and silent march through
the heart Of the capital, the bonus
army OF 5000 prepared today to per-
feet its organization for protracted
sicgo against congress.
leaders hope to solidify the host
OF destitute veterans from all parts
~ the country into a compact mill
t3ry unit that will thwart efforts Of
authorities to bring about its grad
ual and pcaceable dissolution
Each contingent today was 10 elect
p member OF an executive commit
tee which in turn Will choose a
permanent commander
Food TO- the growing army is
the primary problem The District
Of Columbia Thursday will cease
feeding the men and provide trucks
for u who wish 10 start home. But
the army is determined to stay at
least until the house votes on the
$1,000 100000 bonus next Monday -
and it. threatens to maintain its
siege indefinitely, until the bonus IS
passed.
Shadow Of 1919 Army
The 5000 who paraded through
the city at dusk Tuesday we're
piodding shadow Of the strutting
victorious forces which returned
home in 1919 to a nations wild ap-
plause. Gone we're the trim uni
forms. the spirited cadence, the
flaming enthusiasm Of 1919.
Blue denim, worn khaki and
frayed nondescript clothes we're the
uniforms of this new army which
moved slowly down Pennsylvania
avenue in a somber column Of fours
Police estimated 100000 spectators
lined the avenue. While there was
no tumultous cheering. the throng
greeted the marchers' banners with
bur Of applause and shouted such
words Of encouragement as Go to
it. boys We're for you'll"
Police were modified in full force
but had not the slightest disorder to
contend with. The authorities previ-
ously had announced a fighting
unit" Of 100 Communists was en-
route from New York 10 foment
rioting during the parade.
Leaders Review Veterans
No officials greeted the demon
strating veterans. The reviewing
stand was empty save Of their own
leaders. Shunted from an original
route that would have led them past
the White House, they only could
glimpse its outline through the trees
as they formed at the foot of the
towering Washington monument.
President Hoover, within. was pre-
pairing for dinner. He never publicly
has expressed any interest in the
visitors.
From the monument the silent
column swung up past the drab old
Treasury building into Pennsylvania
avenue. the avenue OF Presidents.
There they passed the new Com
merce Department building. with its
great bronze doors costing $4,000
each. and the excavations for the
governments new S60OO0,0OO build
ing project.
Leaders of the army reviewed it
Just before il disbanded al the
graceful peace monument at the
foot Of the capitol grounds. They
saw and religiously saluted the cheap
cotton flag carried at the head Of
each contingent.
Only one silk banner few in the
twilight breeze. II belonged 10 a
Pennsylvania outfit. But there were
medals galore. More than a score
OF the marcherS wore distinguished
service crosses or congressional
medals OF honor.
Baby Carried in Parade
In the front rank OF the process
sion marched Joe REYNOLDS of
Houston. Tex Joe Reynolds Jr.
25 months old. slept on his si1oul-
der. Young Joes mother died three
months ago and his father carried
him afoot from Houston.
I want the bonus TO give the
boy some sort Of home. said Joe. Sr
Bonus. the tiny. nondescrlpt vel
low pup Of Earl Wright, Hollywood
Cal. delighted the spectators. He
tugged and tried to play with the
crowd as he strained al the leash
OF Clyde Wright. 6. The dog car
ried a pay the bonus" banner
across his back.
The reception accorded the pa
raiders delighted the bonus expe.
riifionarv forces leaders