Evening star., 1935-06-28
NEW BONUS ARMY
FORMS IN CAPITAL
Robertson, One of Two Rival
Leaders, Claims 1000
Men Are Here.

Siogly and in groups of two and
three, new bonus army is gradually
being formed in Washington. The
veterans converge on the Capital from
all points of the country, using the
Governments instrument of relief
the Transient Bureaus as their rest
ing places between free rides on rail-
roads and automobiles, and between
hikes.
Within "a hours Of the arrival of
the leader of the new army, Roy w.
Robertson of Los Angeles, leader of
the Death March" in front of the
Capitol in 1882, he claimed the army
had swelled to nearly 1000.
Every Transient Bureau On the
East Coast is being filled with the
marcherS," Robertson said. "As soon as
the headquarters here is ready to give
the word, these men will come into
the city. We know Of men scattered
along the East Coast and they have
come from all parts of the country,
using the Transient Bureaus as rest
ing places and to get food"
The new faction led by Robertson
had temporarily routed the first bonus
army of 1885, led by Robert W. Smith,
which has been here for several weeks
AS the veterans gathered along John
Marshall place at the Transient
Bureau this morning. Smith was hold
ing lone watch near the Traffic
Bureau while Robertson was the CEN
ter of attraction in the crowd, giving
orders.
Smith claims that he has about 700
men who are loyal to him and that
he will continue to organize his own
army. He predicted this morning that
the new faction led by Robertson can
not last long.
The new group slipped into Wash
ington so quietly that even the police
did not suspect until the Smith fac
ton started to hold its meeting on
the parking lot across from the
Transient Bureau on John Marshall
place. Smith had secured a police
permit to hold meeting at 7 o'clock.
At 6:45 Robertson and his men
moved onto the lot and started the
meeting. Smith and his men showed
up, but left soon afterward, leaving
the field to the newcomers.
Robertson said the demand on Con-
gress to be made by his faction would
be for the payment of the adjusted
compensation certificates to those
veterans who have not paid income
taxes. Unlike the Smith group, he
does not ask for separate work camps
for the veterans. His is a straight
demand for the bonus payment.
The men are being housed in every
conceivable place. Robertson said
Some Of them, as many as possible,
are staying at the Transient Bureau.
Others are sleeping in ''jungles"
around the railroad yards, in parks,
rooming houses and private homes, he
claimed
Robertson Wearing Brace.
Robertson, wearing neck and back
brace, against which his head wobbles
Imply, explained that he was dis
charged from the Army as totally dis
abled, but that his compensation was
cut of in 1924. He said the back and
neck brace is a result of his service
injuries.
The commander said he called on
Marvin H. Mcintyre, secretary to Pres
ident Roosevelt. last night and re-
ported nasty, unlivable conditions at
the local Transient Bureau" He said
Mr.. Mcintyre had promised to "fix that
up" He also said Mr.. Mcintyre had
promised to arrange an interview be-
tween Robertson and Gen. Frank T.
Hines, administrator Of veterans
affairs.
Mr.. Mcintyre said this morning that
Robertson and group of veterans had
called on him about conditions at the
bureau and he told the group to take
the matter up with Gen. Hines, but
he said he did not offer to arrange
the interview.