VETERANS SQUAT IN SENATE CHAMBERS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1946, Page 8

VETERANS SQUAT IN SENATE CHAMBERS

Reeeived Sundav, 11 p.m. ALBANY (New York), Oct. 20. Seveuty-five ex-servicemen took pos session of the State Senate chamber, formed a "veterans' senate" and voted to renuun there until Governor Dewe.v called a special sessiQn of the Stale legislature to handle the veterans housing problem'. The action followed a parade demonstration in Albaiq. wherein aborit 9Q0 veterans participat ed and also several hundred Stato and municipal employee's including teachers who are demanding salarv inereases. The veterans slipped through a sido entrance into the Capitol, brushed aside the guard and lodsened the bar to enter the Senate c-hamber, wliereafter the Capitol gates were loc-ked. The Governor 'g representative toki the veterans it -was impossible for Mr. Dewev to see them or promise a special session, Ile wamed that they would be removed by force if necessary but the veterans continued the occupation. T\vu went out t'or .food, but Capitol guards who, with 100 State troopers, surrounded'the hnilding, iprevented their return. Others, through a ruse, obtaiiied 40 sandwiches. A-° spokesman said a majority of the veterans were members of C.I.O. but denied that any political significauce was attached tp the ijemonstration which came at a time when Mr. Dewev was eampaigning for reelection. The food supply problem is threatening to become aeute i.f the sitdown continues as guards -and State police are pteVep,tiag- '^iMl^'ring the Capitol.