The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-29
ABNEY MAKES STATEMENT.
Tells Why He COuldn't Help the Red
Cross.

N1dy -t.--D. L. stUHSy,
chief counsel for the Southern Rail !
way in South Carolina, late tonight
gave out statement in regard to his
alleged remarks concerning the Red
Cross war fund and his failure tC
contribute to the fund. Mr.. Abney
prefaces his statement with the as
sertion that the public is not inter-
ested with 1.-The present motives of
Mr.. McMaster" in making the speech
he did in local theatre, nor is it
concerned with the financial condition
of Mr.. Ahney, but is desirous of know
ing what position and attitude I felt
towards the Red Cross and purposes
as connected with the war, and what |
felt in regard to the prosecution of
this war to successful result against
our enemies.
by narrowing this ISSUE" said Mr..
Abney, II do not wish to be under
stood to admit anything that may be
nation of Mr.. McMaster or those who
may be uphOlding his hands and Civ
ing him his voice. He said his pres
ent purpose is to make an end Of the
matter and "let the public know what
| feel and what my actions really
were, which is also my purpose" and
the people will then find out that am
unheard of attempt has been made
to call into question the motives of a
quiet citizen, for many years hold
ing no public Office and DESIRING
none.
Mr.. Abney said that the resolutions
passed by the workers at the South
ern Railway shops "do not concern
me, and who produced the machinery
for putting them into action and in
spired them | am not going to allow
myself to be disturbed with. They lit
tie know about my desire as to
whether l shall be attorney for this
company or another company, and
doubt whether any assertion that l
would make that / care nothing for
the statement Of these people who
seemed to be concerned in getting an
office for one of themselves, who in
all likelihood has belittled it's efficiency
tn be fifled. would interest the public
ut this time"
Mr.. Abney then goes into the al
legged differences between his state
ment and the one handed out this
afternoon by Messrs. Reamcr and
Faber. This exposition is Of great
length. He said that he stated he was
not only not in position to give mon
ey at that time, but had no liberty
bonds under the denomination of ST.
600. land the reason that / was not
able to give them money was that ]
must have what money I am able to
spare for the payment of liberty loan
subscriptions made by me, which will
be due soon after the bonds arrive"
AS to the use of the word damn.
continued the statement, what l said
was that Il cannot give a damn cent
now ] did not say that l will no;
give. i was perhaps unfortunate i'm
the use of the word or in the phrase
ology. but it is an old efficient ex-
preston that we old folks now use
sometimes"
Mr. Abney said that there was not
q single word i'm the statement Of
Messrs Reamer and Farber nor was
there in the conversation derogatOry
to the Red Cross. He then tells of
large purchases Of liberty bonds
made by him on the three drives.
making a purchase OF $1,000 of the
last issue. In addition, he said he
had bought $1,000 in war savings
stamps.
'It was not and is not question
of not desiring to help the Red
Cross" said Mr.. Abney, "but an in
ability to give a helpful amount at
that particular time. There was no
negatiOn nor denial on my part of it's
being good institution and 1 so re-
gard it and have shown by my act
ions in the past and hope to show by
my actions i'm the future.
"As n matter Of fact, have con-
tributed to it i'm the past and trust
to be i'm position to contribute to il
i'm the future, but I do not intend to
be forced by Mr.. McMaster to give
any contribution.
In regard to the statements that