The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-18
BILL KILLED,
BONUS army
HOLDS TIGHT
Unrest StirS in Ranks of
Destitute Veterans After
Senate Vote.
WE'LL STAY RIGHT HERE
Stick in Washington Until
They Change Minds
Vow of $1,000 Men.
By United Press

WASHINGTON, June 18-Unrest
stirred in the ranks of the bonus ex-
peditionary force today and tattered
veterans, their dreams of a cash
bonus shattered, began grim
struggle to impress their plight
upon the nation.
In answer to a summons from
their commander-in- chief, the vet
Grams SWarmed over the AnacoStia
mud fats to a huge rally called to
strengthen their morale, after the
senate'S death blow to the bonus
bill Friday night.
Walter W. Waters, leader of the
army of $4,000 destitute veterans
camped here, demanded that the
men pledge themselves to remain in
Washington until the bonus is
paid"
With great shout the veterans
raised their hands.
The attitude of the veterans SO
far has been peaceful, but as thou
sands of them Swarmed about the
capitol during the senate debate,
a tensenesS missing since the war
hung over the capital.
Expect to Swell Army
I'VE are going to get more and
more men as fast as we can and
stay here until We change the minds
of these senator's" vowed Walters
today.
Waters and his co-leaders spoke
confidently of having $4,000 men
here within week, and $4,000 or
100000 by the time congress meets
again in December.
Meanwhile, from all sections of
the country, came reports of thou
sands of other veterans doggedly
moving onward to the capital.
The dramatic events of Friday
and Friday night have had no
parallel in American history since
a century and half ago, when
the veterans of revolution marched
on the Continental congress at Phil
adelphia, forcing that body to move
across the Delaware river to Tren-
/ ton.
When the senate opened debate
on the Patman bonus bill at ii
a. M, 1000 veterans were con-
gregated in the Capitol plaza. All
day long their numbers mounted,
and when the vote was finally taken
Friday night approximately 10000
had gathered
Self-impoSed discipline prevented
any disorder. All day long the men
listened to harangues from their
own spokesman, and from friendly
members of congress.
Vote Big Disappointment
They had been prepared for news
of the defeat, but they hardly ex-
pected the vote would go so strong
ly against their bill.
When Commander Waters an
nounced the 81 to 10 vote, threat
ening silence fell over the crowd.
This is only a temporary set
back" shouted Waters. I'VE are 60
ing to get more and more men, and
we are going to stay here until we
change the mind of those guys"
At this point the perfect control
over the demonstration manifested
itself. Some one started off on the
song, America" and the multitude
joined in the strain-"My Country,
It's of Thee :"
The crowd slowly dispersed, and
started on the mile-and- lone half
walk back to the bonus camp across
AnacoSta river.
Meanwhile, in the senate cham
bers, foes of the bonus, in a parlia-
mentary coup, definitely shelved the
bonus for the remainder of the
Seventy-second congress.
Shelved, A to rs
BY a vote of A to 26, the senate
upheld a motion by Senator George
A. Moses (Rep., N. HI, to table a
motion by Senator David A. Reed
(Rep, Pa0, to reconsider the bill.
In this parliamentary maneuver,
Senator Elmer Thomas Dem,
Okla0, sponsor of the bill, was
swept off his feet.
The fight has just begun" said
Thomas as the debate neared the
end. These veterans will not leave
washington, and I predict that
10000 more soon will be here"
The veterans were stunned by the
vote lineup. In addition to the
regulars of the two parties, whose
opposition they had anticipated, the
measure was opposed by such liber-
ais as Senator George Norris (Rep..
Neb), Robert La Toilette Rep..
Wis.,, and Edward P. Costigan
(Rep., Colo,), who voted against the
bill because they felt that if it did
pass unemployment relief legislation
would be impossible this session.
Debate Called Pantomime
Except for the dispassionate pleas
OF the few liberals for relief for all
10 are unemployed and in dis
tress, the debate in. the senate was
marked by its bitterness.
Friends of the bill played upon