The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-29
The ADNEY SENSATION.
PROFANE REFUSAL TO HELP
RED CROSS STIRS COLUMBIA.
statements Issued by Red Cross Com
mIitPc ami MIR. Abncy--COmmittcr
Tells What Mr.. Abncy Said--lic
nOdgcS The Issue.

A'iu ~ Shop employees OF the South !
EN- Railway here ut noon today, rep
resontng $40 men. the secretary OF |
the Workers Shop Federation, Eu-
gene IL. Fetner. was instructed TO f,
wire William G.. McAdoo, director Of
the national railway system, urging
the immediate removal from Office OF
Eenjamin L.. Abney. chief counsel OF
the transportation company in South
Carolina.
The action Of the labor men was
taken because of the alleged refusal
OF Mr.. Abney TO contribute to the Red
Cross war fund, as reported by the
committee which canvassed him. The
committee stated, it is said, that Mr..
Abney'3 refusal was emphasized by
Not damn cent for the Red Cross;
mark you. not damn cent"
The stand of the shop employees OF
the Southern Railway follows that of
the Columbia Federation OF Trades
last night, which likewise wired Mr.
McAdoo, requesting Mr.. Abney's dis
charge from the service.
The allegations attributed to Mr..
Abney who is reputed to be a man of
very large wealth, has stirred Co.
lumbians to Indignation as nothing
else has since the entrance of the
country into the war with the Central
Powers
The shop men of the Southern
Railway had contemplated n mass
meeting today, but i'm view Of the
unanimity of sentiment against Mr..
Abney for his quoted remarks ana
for his failure to contribute to the
grea: philanthropy. it was decided
that such gathering was unneces-
sarS, and the federation simply held
4 meeting during the morning and
gave the secretary. Mr. Fetner. the
necessary instructions. The fedora
ton is composed Of representatives
Of each of the half dozen crafts en-
ployed at the shops and is thorough
ly representative of the $50 men en-
ployed there.
Mr.. Fetner, in discussing the action
Of the federation this morning said
that I'VE ask for his immediate re-
moval from the service of the South
ern Railway We regard his express
sion as unpatriotic, and believe that
he should be dealt with by the United
states government. The mon of the
Southern shop are unanimous on the
subject, and will not be satisfied until
Mr.. Abncy is removed from his con-
nection with the railway"
An examination OF the books at the
local Eed Cross headquarters, it was
announced today, shows that the
treasurer has no record OF the name
OF Benjamin l. .Abney as contribu-
tor TO the war fund of the Red Cross.
Inquiry at the Office of the local Req
Cross chapter, it was stated, disclosed
mat the name of Benjamin l.. Abney
docs not appear among the members
OF the chapter or as contributor.
d" IN other words" it was announced.
the records OF the Red Cross organ
ization DO not disclose that Mr.. Alb
noy has ever contributed, directly. to
tne Red Cross"
The Following statement, signed by
w. :. Reamer and W. G. Farber. the
committee which solicited funds from
Mr.. Abney, was handed to the Dress
this afternoon:
statement made by w. S. Reamcr
and w. G. Farbcr i'm reference to their
call upon Il. l." Abney, soliciting him
for subscription to the Red Cross:
I'VE called upon Il. l.. Abney. meet
ih% him at the entrance Of the Caro-
lima National bank building. Nav 81
IN the afternoon. Mr.. Reamer. being
the spokesman, said: Ben, are you in
a Sood humor? His reply was:
About as usual
Mr.. Rcamer then said: We are
calling upon YOU for contribution for
the Red Cross
His reply was: L will not give
damn cent