PESSIMISM AND SUICIDE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17469, 1 June 1922, Page 11

PESSIMISM AND SUICIDE.

THE MA*T WHO FOUGHT PROPITEBRS. (TROU QVX. OWH 00RRISF0ND1SMT.) LONDON, April 21. At the inquest on Clifford Ernest Penney, a man who had done brilliant "fork in the Food Department of the Board of Trade during the war, a letter was read in which tho deceased stated: "For months I have walked the streets trying to get work which would have been enough to take me homo to JNew Zealand to my mother." It was a pathetic story of suicide, as it was proved at the inquest that deceased was not in financial difficulties at all but suffering from neurasthenia. Penney, who was aged 42, was Jound dead in bed with a tube connected with a gas jet in his mouth, in an apartment house at Brighton. He is said to havo been tho terror of profiteers, and conducted nearly 50,000 prosecutions on behalf of the Ministry of Food. lii 1905 ho organised the judicial system of North Siam, which was then in a most disorderly state. He joined the R.A.S.C. soon after the outbreak of war, and attained tho rank of captain before he was invalided owing to physical breakdown. When the Ministry of Food came into existenco, he was appointed organiser, with direct authority under the Minister. In this position he rapidly rose to prominence by reason of liis extraordinary genius tor organisation. He was responsible for the working of the rationing system throughout tho country. Penney left tho following letter, addressed to his landlady:—"Believe me, I am only like thousands of other poor unfortunate men who served their country—neglected, out of work, and penniless. My last few shillings will pay your bill. I intended to do this the Jast time I came down, but I had a letter promising work, which never came oif. I have nothing in the. world but what 1 stand up in. Pray forgive me for the trouble l have given." Dr. H. J. Pulling, police surgeon, 6aid deceased had been dead at least three hours when discovered. Death was due to asphyxiation by coal-gas poisoning.

Mr Davies said he had been sent to express the high appreciation of the Board of Trade ana nis colleagues there or Mr Peuuey's official services. Mr Penney was discharged from the Army in April, 1917. One of the reasons for hia uiscnargo was stated as neurasthenia. In January, 1918, lie applied to the Food Department of the Board to bo given more work to do. Ho was given an appointment in which he did admirable work, and when his work was transferred to tho Ministry of Food ho was transferred with it. He was considered a most valuable servant, and although the appointment was only temporary, many attempts were made to transfer him to a permanent one. He was finally offered a permanent position at £BSO ft year, with a pension. He cud not take it because he thought he could do better.

Ho knew he might lose his job at any time, and I think that weighed heavily on his mind, added Mr Davies. His appointment really ended in December last, and ho had a severe attack of influenza and pneumonia early in the year. Poverty a Delusion. In February ho wrote a letter to Mr Coller, who was head of his Department, the general tone of which was that he had a grievance on account of what he considered his forced resignation. Friends in and out of the Civil Service who had taken au interest in him had endeavoured to get an appointment tor him in a commercial houa» at £750 a year. This he twice refused. He had not suffered from financial difficulties, and there was no reason why he should have taken such a pessimistic outlook of life. The Coroner: The statement that he was penniless was without foundation. I have received a letter from his solicitor, in which ho says Mr Pennev was possessed of a considerable sum of money. It was a matter for regret, that a man who had done such good services for his country should come to such a sad end. He returned a verdict of i "Suicide during temporary insanitv." I