The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-05-30
DEMAND REMOVAL OF ABNEY.
Trouble Grows From an Alleged De-
rogatory Remark.

Columbia, May 22.-Protesting
against an alleged derogatory remark
made in reference to the Red Cross
by Benjamin L. Abney, of Columbia,
chief counsel for the Southern rail-
way, the City Federation of Trades,
at a meeting tonight passed resolu-
ton which stigmatized the quoted
words of Mr.. Abney as 'pro-German
and unpatriotic,' called upon the dis
trict attorney, Francis H. Weston, OF
Columbia, to take such action as the
facts in the case warranted, and to
''intern Mr.. Abney for the period of
the war, if possible" In addition a
telegram was sent to William G. Nc
Adoo, director of railways, by the
secretary of federation from the
federation requesting the removal of
Mr.. Abney as counsel of the Southern
railway.
s'B. L. Abney, counsel Southern
railway said the wire, made de-
rogatory remarks about the Red
Cross. We respectfully request his
removal"
When a committee Of the Red
Cross approached Mr.. 'Abney several
days ago for contribution to the war
fund of the philanthropic enterprise,
he is alleged to have fatty refused
to contribute a cent, remarking, it is
said, mot a damn cent for the Red
Cross" The committee re-
ported Mr.. Abney's remarks,
and storm of indignation
swept over Columbia. Last night in
a local theatre, Fitzhugh McMaster,
president of the Columbia Red Cross
chapter, who is also four-minute
speaker, said that in his opinion Mr..
Abney should be made to leave the
city.
Mr.. Abney has been long identified
with the bar of the State and is
considered a lawyer of exceptional
legal attainments. He has been di-
vision counsel for the Southern rail
way for a number of years and is
now chief counsel. He is reported
to be a man of great wealth. Mr..
Abney is cousin of ex-Gov. Cole L.
Blease, 1431 Washington street, with
whom he makes his home.
1t is understood that the employees
of the Southern railway here will
hold mass meeting tomorrow and
protest against Mr. Abney remaining
longer in the employ of that trans
portation system, their objection be-
ing based on his alleged remarks.
Mr.. Abney stated tonight that the
statement attributed to Mr.. McMas-
ter as a report being made by the
committee, as it stands, and as it is
intended to induce the ideas which he
wished to convey it, utterly untrue"
and that he "could not attribute
them to anything but a devotion to
some malign interest of street in
1uence governing and prompting
their suggestion, or to an over
wrought, foolish and fanatical mind,
and that he may later ascertain
whether the man is mentally respon-
sible or corruptly stimulated in max
ing such a CHARGE
The statement made by Mr.. McMas-
ter, and verified by him tonight is
substantially as follows:
s'That Lieut.. John David had CIV
en- his young life to the cause of hu-
manity, that young Hemphill, of
Chester, had done his full duty, and
sacrificed his life, that young Mont
gomery, that fine fellow from Spar
tangurg, had been lost to those who
were near and dear to him, that
others had done the same, and that
even McCallum, colored man that he
was, had sacrificed his life to protect
us, and yet there were men in this
community, men who had made their
fortunes here, who had refused to
give cent to the Red Cross.
"That kind of man, if he could
afford to give, ought to be despised,
that there was one man in Columbia
who ought to be despised by every