Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Hsia Ch'in-hsi

Mr. Hsia Ch'in-hsi,

夏琴西字营讓

Mr. Hsia Ch'in-hsi was born at Tientsin, Chihli. He is a graduate of the Tinetsin Commercial School and the Chihli Law School, and a practicing barrister-at-law before the Tientsin Higher and Local Courts. His combined commercial and law training make him especially fitted to handle the complicated business of a large Chinese Chamber of Commerce. In 1914 he was the delegate of the Chinese Chambers to the International Conference of Chambers of Commerce held in Japan. At that time he received a silver medal from the Japanese government. On his return he became Secretary of the Tientsin Chamber, which position he has held ever since, through several administrations. He was active in relief work at the time of the Tientsin flood, and in recognition of his services was offered the Seventh Class Chiaho decoration by President Li Yuan-hung: He refused this and later was offered the Sixth Class, which honor he also declined to accept, saying that he felt it undemocratic to accept decorations. He was active in the organization of the People's Union shortly after the out break of the students against traitorous officials in Peking in May 1919 and became its Second Secretary, as well as acting chairman of the executive committee. Mr. Hsia Chin-hsi has been called the "Brains of the Patriotic Movement in Tientsin.” His importance to the movement was not overlooked by the authorities determined to stamp out the boycott, as he was among the first group of leaders to be seized and placed in solitary confinement upon the ractionary ascendency in January, 1920. Mr. Hsia is a worthy representative of the more substantial element among the patriots. As the capable secretary of the Tientsin Chinese General Chamber of Commerce into whose hands practically all the affairs of the Chamber were entrusted by his chief, Pien Yueh-ting, president of the chamber, Mr. Hsia wielded immense influence in the merchant community. It was largely through his efforts that the merchants of Tientsin and North China joined whole-heartedly in the patriotic labors of the students