MacArthur was sent to disperse a large crowd that was demanding early payment on their war bonuses (which were due for another few years). In other words, they had assembled to demand a government handout. MacArthur sent them packing. One person died in the chaos.
Two years later they returned to demand the same thing. FDR wasn’t any more interested in giving it to them than Hoover, but he got rid of them differently- he sent them into exile.
FDR sent the bonus marchers to the Middle Florida Keys to build a road linking the islands. It was then one of the most remote places within the 48 states, the government assured them they would be taken care of. In 1935, hundreds of them died in the great Labor Day Hurricane. Problem solved.
I've seen this incident portrayed on one of the cable channels (History Channel, probably).
That they were Bonus Army participants was not mentioned.
Thanks for the info.