The morning call., 1892-04-06
COMMERCIAL CLUB.
Radston's Fishy Tale OF How He Loi
His Poker-Rooms.

Radston's Fishy Tale OF How He Lost
His Poker-Rooms.
Julius Radston told yesterday an extra
VACANT and unsupported tale before Justice
of the Peace Low in his suit against Louis
Taussig. He is now a drummer for Jewelry
company, but at the time of the affair under
inquiry was in the employ of the San Fran
cisco Gaslght Company, and as side
venture conducted the Commercial Club, at
10 Powell street.
This club was nothing more than rendez-
v0us, where liquors and cigars and Bit OF
lunch could be had, aud where one could
always be accomno dated in the matter of a
game of poker. He lost possession OF
these rooms on the 18th of December, 1891,
and it is TO recover the furniture, valued at
$50, and 500 damages that he has sued for.
Taussig had been partner for three weeks,
but at the time of the difficulty was inter-
ested as a sort of general manager and over
seer for half the net profits.
Ralston maintained that he was made TO
give up possession TO TausSig under fear of
threats or exposure, prosecution and dis
grace. In support, he told story that on
the date in question Taussig, accompanied
by NJ. Seligman, an attOrney-at-law, called
on him at the gas company's office, in-
vlted him out upon the sidewalk, and that
there Taussig, in loud and bOiSterous tones,
In the Office, threatened to send him TO
prison for robbery and to disgrace him and
his family.
Mr.. Seligman insidously suggested that
truly he was in very bad box" and the
best thing he could dc would be to make a
transfer of the ciubroOms TO Taussig, who.
during the heated eonfab, had wnired his
arms il a menacing manner. The trio re-
paired to a saloon a block off, and there
Seligmau drew from his pocket a sheet Of
a l., O.
and "0ther considerations" which instTu-
ment Ralston signed, still fearing that they
would execute the threats previously made.
IuQuiring what "other consid eratiOnS"
meant, and being informed that il covered
the promise not to prosecute him, etc,
Kadst0n said that these words were al his
protest stricken out after. Nor was the
dollar paid on this sale, but TO balance an
account between him and IauSsig. The
only cOrroboratng proof of this tale was the
testimony of two clerks, who remembered
that TauSsg had called on the plaintiff, and
that there had been an animated discussion
on the sidewalk.
The defendant and Mr.. Seligman made a
most explicit denial of these charges, main
tanning that the affair was legitimate
transaction, not exactly on friendly yet
agreed terms. TauSsig had come TO insist
upon a settlement OF their accounts, involv-
ing about $50. No threats had been made.
Radston stated that he was tired OF the
business and himself suggested the sale.
TheEmoney was actually paid at the time
to bind the bargain and the words stricken
out al his request, though it was un der
stood that the "other considerations ="
meant that TauSsig should assume liability
for some unpaid LIQUOR and cigar bills
against the club. RadstOn gave up the keys,
left in an apparently satisfied mood. but
three days after entered this suit and the
place was attached by the Sheriff.
Ii also came out on the trial that TauSsig
was in lawful possession as the general
manager on half shares at the time of the
attachment and that no demand had ever
been made on him for restitution before the
complaint was filed. A motion for a non
suit on this point aud the case On its merits
were taken under Amusement.