Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Hsu Mou

Mr. C. L. Zeen

徐懋学乾麟

(Hsu Mon)

Mr. C. L. Zeen, promoter and director of the China Industrial Training Works and manager of the Bank of Kiangnan, was born in 1862 in the village of Hsuyang, Yu Yao, Chekiang. At the age of 14, Mr. Zeen came to Shanghai join one he commercial uses. Although the studying of English at that time was not so much in vogue as now, he devoted his spare time to learning this language with a measurable amount of success. Except for a short time he spent in Chinkiang as manager of a local firm there, he has spent practically all his time in Shanghai. In 1882 he became manager of Messrs. Moutrie and Co. Ltd. In 1911, Mr. Zeen served on the commission for the Nanking Exposition and attracted world wide attention for his work in planning the grounds and constructing the roads. During the First Revolution, he organized the Chapei Volunteer Corps along the same lines as the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, of which the Chinese Company was also promoted by Mr. Zeen and his friends. During the Second Revolution when Nantao saw the havoc of war, he organized relief parties which handled over 10,000 families, housing them under temporary quarters and feeding them in the extreme heat of the summer. But the outstanding feature of Mr. Zeen's social welfare work is the promotion and establishment of the Anti-Kidnapping Society for the relief of women and children who have fallen into the hands of outlaws. Branch bureaus have been established in Mukden, Yingkow, and Changchun where most of these unfortunate victims are shipped to after their capture. Several thousand victims have been saved by this institution, which maintains a home for these destitutes in Kiangwan where they are clothed, fed and educated until they are capable of supporting themselves. In 1913, Mr. Zeen organized the International Famine Relief Committee. In 1915, he served on the International War Relief Committee and in 1917 he succeeded in collecting over a million dollars for the Chihli-Fengtien Famine Relief Commission. All in all, he has participated in over a dozen drives for relief funds, receiving commendatory tablets from practically all the high officials of the nation. Besides his numerous activities, he is also serving now as a director of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Honan Famine Relief Society; chairman of the Chi Seng Hospital, Chapei; director of second company, Chapei Fire Brigade; director, Kiangwan Electric Works; and director, Chinese Ratepayers' Association. For his meritorious service, he has been awarded the Second Class Chiaho Decoration.