Evening star., 1946-10-20
Vow They Will Stoy
Until Dewey Calls
Session on Housing
BY the Associated Press

deal with the housing shortage.
The seizure was an offshoot of a
demonstration during a March on
Albany" which included about 900
veterans protesting the housing
shortage along with more than g.
600 members of two CIO unions,
headed by Michael Quill, New York
City councilman and president of
the $40 transport workers, who were
demanding cost of living salary in
creases.
Mr.. Quill did not participate in
TIE Senate chamber seizure. He
had suggested in a recent speech,
however, that American veterans,
like those in London, might seize
boarded-up mansions in New York
He said they might be less ready
to move out than were the Lon
doners.
AS the veterans continued their
sit-down, administration officials
conferred in the executive Offices
of the capitol, one floor below the
ornate Senate chamber. Attempts
to persuade the veterans to leave
proved futile.
Met With Dewey's Counsel.
A committee of six met with
Charles D. Breitel, the Governors
counsel. william Rubens, New York
City,. a member Of the delegation,
reported to the assembled veterans
that Mr.. Breitel explained it was
impossible for Gov. Dewey to see
them or give them any promise Of
a special legislative session.
The veterans received this report
with renewed expressions of de-
termination to remain in the Senate
until they had obtained the desired
action.
The veterans failed also to heed
the request of Maj. George M.
Searle, deputy superintendent of
State police, that they depart.
One veteran in a speech on the
Senate floor said, Lets not only
stick to our guns but stick to our
seats" He added II am sure we can
count ON the backing and good will
of the CIO."
OnesWoman In Group.
A spokesman said a majority OF
the veterans were members Of the
greater New York CIO Council. He
said the veterans were members of
several servicemen's organizations,
including the American Legion and
the American Veterans Committee
The only woman among the Sit
downers, Miss June Lostar of Brook
lyn, former WAC, left the Senate
Chamber about II pm. after max
ing a speech.
Earlier in the evening two vet
erans went out to get coffee and
sandwiches. Capitol guards pre-
vented their return.
However, through a ruse the sit
downers obtained about 40 sand
wiches.
Organize Veterans Senate"
After organizing into Veterans
Senate" the group adopted a pro-
gram that asked tor an immediate
cash appropriation of 100000, 900
from the State surplus and special
legislative action to permit ref
endum vote. in the November S
election on a proposal to float a
$400, ,000,000 bond issue for loans to
cities for low-cost housing con-
struction.
A heavy detail of State police and
Capitol guards isolated the Senate
chamber area from the rest of the
Capitol.
A close associate of Gov. Dewey
indicated no attmept would be made
to forcibly eject the veterans.
Gov. Dewey himself stayed at the
executive mansion, four blocks
away, during the day, nursing sore
throat, but spoke at a Republican
rally at nearby Troy that night.
Telegram Sent Dewey.
The veterans group staging the
"sit down" sent Gov. Dewey the
following telegram:
"One hundred veterans now In
Senate Chamber demand that a
special session of the Legislature
be Immediately convened and that
laws providing for the construction
of decent homes for hundreds of
thousands of New York veterans
regardless of race, color and creed.
be passed. We urgently request
your immediate appearance before
this Veterans Senate of the State
of New York. We want you to re-
deem your promises to the veterans
made during the war on our be-
half
They also sent wires to members
OF the Legislature and to candidates
for Statewide offices in the forth
coming election, demanding action
Carrying banners and placards,
the veterans marched through Al
bany streets Chanting: mo more
promises, we want homes"
They demonstrated on the steps
of the Capitol as did the two other
groups participating in the March
on Albany" The other groups were
the CIO Teachers Union, New York
City, Local SIS, represented by more
than 1,500, and the CIO United
Public Workers, represented by more
than 500.