By June of 1932, enlistment numbers in the Bonus Army swelled to nearly 20,000 men, and the abandoned federal buildings on Pennsylvania Avenue inhabited by first arrivals, already overpopulated and congested, would not provide sufficient accommodation. 1 Hoping to keep as many veterans as possible off the streets, so as to prevent public opinion from taking a negative turn, Bonus Army ally Pelham D. Glassford set forth plans for tent city across the river at the Anacostia Flats, establishing what would soon become the epicenter of Army life and activity.
Resembling the many other decrepit “Hoovervilles” found throughout the country, Anacostia accorded little in terms of comfort, hygiene or overall hospitable conditions. Constructed on a riverbank, mosquitoes and flies swarmed around half-buried garbage and scarce rations of food. 2 Shelter came in the form of bits of lumber, cardboard, wrecked cars and scraps of canvas all wielded together to provide some sort of protection; many even dug into the surrounding hills, utilizing their WWI survival skills. 3
Yet, the veterans did not seem to mind. Originally intended to resemble a military encampment, Anacostia was not only well organized, but meticulously operated as well. Police General Pelham laid out a company-style street system, and Army “Commander” W.W. Waters assured all men that entered provided proof of service in the form of WWI discharge papers. 4 Daily chores and activities kept veterans and their families occupied and entertained—boxing, in particular, was a favorite. 5 Music played day and night, and a sense of community—which even crossed racial lines—formed instantly. 6
But, what inhabitants seemed to love most about Anacostia was not what it did, in fact, provide, but what it lacked. There were no landlords knocking to inform of eviction, or bill collectors calling to collect money families did not possess; at Anacostia, the only obligation was to push to the bonus all the camp’s citizens rightly deserved. 7
1 Allen, Thomas B. and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An American Epic. Walker Publishing Company, New York, NY, 2005.
2 Allen, Thomas B, and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An America Epic
3 Allen, Thomas B, and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An America Epic
4 Allen, Thomas B, and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An America Epic
5 The American Experience: The Bonus March http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX89.html
6 Allen, Thomas B, and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An America Epic
7 Allen, Thomas B, and Paul Dickson, The Bonus Army: An America Epic