The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-15
Veterans Continue to Picket
Congress After Troops
Order Is ReScinded.
BY HARRY FERGUSON
United Press staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, July 15.-While
500 foot-weary veterans plodded
their monotonous route in front of
the capitol today, the mystery of
who ordered out sixty marines
Thursday night was gossiped about
on every street corner in Washing
to.
No one could recall a precedent for
the summoning of armed forces to
protect" the capitol.
All versions of the calling out of
the marines agreed in placing the
responsibility squarely on the Office
of Vice-President Curtis despite his
denial that he had been involved.
The two companies, fully armed
and wearing steel trench helmets,
arrived at the capitol about p. m.
Thursday, stayed less than ten
minutes and were ordered back to
their barracks on request of Police
Chief Glassford,
One authoritative source said a
marine liaiSon officer had been de-
tailed to Curtis Office for the last
week, and that Thursday night he
received an order from the Vice
President to send marines to the
capitol.
Order Is Verified
It was verified that this order was
received at the marine barracks,
and the two companies we're sent to
Capitol Hill in street cars.
Glassford protested, and the ma
rines were ordered to return to their
barracks.
Starting out with only forty men
marching today, the California con-
tingent rapidly swelled to 500 as
Roy Robertson, their crippled leader,
massed full forces for the daily
opening of the congressional session.
Up Pennsylvania avenue marched
the left wing brigade, made up of
members of the Workers Ex-Service
Mems League, reputed to be affli-
ated with the Communist party, de-
termined to join in the siege.
Thee were halted at the entrance
of the capitol grounds and ordered
to discard banners reading. Con
gress must not adjourn" and I'VE
Want the Bonus"
Asks for Alliance
Into the grounds went Walter
Eicher, an advance scout, charged
with the duty of seeking an alliance
with Robertson.
The crippled leader peered from
under the steel brace that keeps his
injured neck in place and said:
IF you fellows want to come up
her as individuals and raise hlisters
on your feet with us, It's o. k. But
we're not going to have anything to
do with you as an organization"
You fellows are trying to keep
UP a policy of isolation" EichRr
shouted, and you're not helping us
to get the bonus in that way"
well, you've got my answer, F"
Robertson replied, walking away.
Eicher reported back to John
Pace, leader of the Ex-Service Mems
League contingent, and bugles
sounded the advance.
PAGES men marched directly in
front of the capitol, and began
Congress must not adjourn, con-
gress must not adjourn"
Double time" croaked Robert
son to his men in voice worn thin
from issuing orders for the capitol
siege" of the last three days.
The California contingent dog
trotted away, Robertson at their
head with his steel brace bobbing
like a plume in the van of charg-
ing regiment.
Morale Still Is High
AS he double-timed along the
concrete, he explained why he was
withdrawing from the immediate
front of the capitol:
Morale was high in the California
outfit Robertson worked them in
shifts through the night, keeping a
squad always on duty and allowing
most of his men to get some sleep
on the concrete.
Il don't want my outfit to get
mixed up with that bunch. We're
a separate organization, and if
they want to stand there and shout.
we'll 60 over here piece and do
our parading"
Speaker John N. Garner said to-
day he believed the law regarding
paradese and picketing on the cap
He added that it was his under
rStandinr that Curtis was respon-
sible for calling out the marines.