Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-02-14

ken" case is being revived, according
to the Washington correspondent OF
the News and Courier. Former Senator
Christie Benet is behind the agita-
ton, he having appeared before the
Overman committee on investigation
of German propaganda in regard to
the matter. While citizen OF Palat-
ka, Fla, Won Engelken was chosen to
the presidency of the Federal Farm
Loan bank in Columbia, over the can
didate it Is understood for which GER
tain financial interests in Columbia
was looking. This was before Amer
lea got into the war. After the war
was we'll on Won Engelken resigned
from the presidency Of the bank. The
facts did not come out at the time:
but it was commonly talked that his
removal resignation was because OF his
alleged German sympathies. There
were those, however, against whose
LOYALTY there was no breath of suspi-
cion, who said that the disloyalty bus
mess was trumped up stuff to facili-
tate the control Of the bank by the ell
ement which had formerly lost out.
Not long ago Secretary Glass wrote
the president a letter in which he said
that a thorough investigation had
cleared Won Engelken of the imputa-
tions against him, and the secretary
suggested that the president write Won
Engelken a letter that would do justice
in the whole matter. The proceedings
having been for the most part ex-parte'
with but little bearing on the part OF
Won Engelken, the secretary's letter
has thrown the burden back on the
people who stood for the original
charges, etc., and hence Mr.. Christie
Benet's appearance before the Over
man committee. In Mr.. Benets snow
ing, according to the Washington cor
RESPONDENT of the News and Courier,
he reveals the fact that Mr.. Won En-
gelken is accused Of: (D Being rude
to some ladies who were soliciting for
the Red Cross, and refusing to con-
tribute. (2). Refusing to contribute
to men solicitors for the Red Cross.
CO. Attempted to justify the conduct
of the Germans in Belgium, including
the execution of Edith Cavell. (D.
Justified the sinking Of the Lusitania,
in the presence of members Of the
Ridgewood club, in Columbia, and in
strong language. 60. Questioned the
accuracy Of statements made by Am
bassador Gerard. (6). Said the presi-
dent had been forced into the war by
the financial interests Of the Morgans
and the Rockefellers. 90. Boosted
that he could have had commission
In the German army, but had declin-
ed because he could be Of more service
to Germany otherwise. (S). Had bet
that the first Liberty loan would be a
failure. (9). Had sneered at the ac-
tivities Of the Red Cross. All of these
charges had been incorporated in affi-
davits which had been forwarded to
the secretary Of the treasury by Gov
ernor Manning, with letter in which
the governor said that the affdavits
were made by men who were known to
him either personally or by reputation
and he would believe what they said.
1t develops also that before the remov-
al of Won Engelken his case was In
vestigated by Mr.. Moran, chief OF the
treasury secret service, and Mr.. MO-
rams report had corroborated the
charges. AS to whether or not the
case will now be re-opened has not yet
been made clear; but if it Is a fact
that Secretary Glass has attempted TO
exonerate Won Engelken, 1t would ap-
pear that there must be some face to
face testimony. along with cross-exam-
ination of the witnesses, and no matter
how the case turns out, 1t looks like
somebody ought to go to the peniten-
tiary.