New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-28

The final meeting Of the Red Cross
cam paigners last evening, at which it
was reported that this city had more
than doubled its quota by donating
total of 213,312.76, developed an in
cident of some dramatic moment when
Ernest N. Humphrey, superintendent
of the Traut & Hine Mfg. Co. and one
Of the hard workers in the recent CAM
paign, launched into a sensational ar
raignment of Edward j. Munson, as
sistant postmaster, because the latter
had declined to give more than S15
despite the fact that he earns at least
$500 per year, is reputed to be
worth $4,000 and has no one to sup
port but himself, according to Mr..
Humphrey
Ma Humphreys sensational attack
on Mr.. Munson came just before the
announceme Of the campaign figured
when various speakers were praising
the generosity of New Rritain's people
and congratulating the workers upon
their success Mr.. Humphrey began
his now famous speech by eulogizing
the work done by William J. Farley
and Peter Crona in collecting money.
He declared that these two men are
entitled to the lions share of the credit
for collecting money for the campaign
and told how hard they had worked.
He then said: "Gentleman, there's
young boy In this town who earns
about $4,000 a year and is probably
worth about $4,000 and when Farley
and CrOna went to i'm for his
donation he tried to give them a
,pa.ltry SIS" continuing, Mr.. Humphrey
told Of the visit Of Crona and Farley
to Mr.. Munson at which they told him
they Thought he ought DO give 800
in view Of his financial condition. He
then told of being called in himself
to talk with MI. Munson, but the
latter steadfastly refused to give more
than SIS, declaring that nobody in
this city, this state or this nation was
going to distate to him what amount
he was going to donate. The speaker
declared that Crona argued with Mum
son, that Farley talked to him like a
gentleman and what he himself said
to Munson would not be fit to print.
I'm talking about young Ed Munson
UP to the post office. I'm not afraid
to tell you his name" Mr.. Humphrey
shouted In conclusion Mr.. Humphrey
banged a, plate on a, nearby table and
declared tht Mr. Munson's patriotism
was worth no more to the Red Cross
than that plate. Acting Chairman F.
A. Searle, attem pied to call M. Hum
pfrey to order, but the latter was not
to be silenced until he had eased his
mind of what he termed Munson's !
selfish refusal to help the Red Cross
and he ended saying that when the lat
ter had refused steadfastly to give
more than SIS the canvassers left him
ard left his card with him and it rs
still probably safe in his pocket.
Following this sensational criti- |
cisrn, Mr.. Humphrey told a coterie of |
friends around him of the conditions |
I elative to Munson's refusal TO give |
him he would tell the committee |
what kind of generosity he had. Mr.. !
Munson told him. he said, that he |
was afraid to make such a. report |
about him and dared him to do it |
under pain Of having him ION the
carpet and making trouble for him
if he did In this connection it was !
stated last night that after Munson's |
refusal to give more literally to the /
Red Cross certain influential man |
IN the city had asked Postmaster De- |
laney if there was any way to have
him removed from the postal service
and on being told that there was
none. advised that the postmaster re-
duce him TO the ranks.
Nc,, Britain Gives S2f2.3t2.72.
Although New Britains Quota was