The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-01
WHAT STRUCK BAUSER?
Ex-FiTe Commissioner Says
His Bloody Face Was
Caused by Fa-
CANS Fist.
&c CALLED TIE MAYOR NAMES
Bystanders Declare It Was the
Rough Wall That Cut GUS
tav's pbysiognomy.

Mayor Pagan of Hoboken was one OF
the principals in another scrap in the City
Hall yesterday afternoon. Ex-Fire Com
missioner Gustav Hauser was the victim
He claims that the Mayor struck him In
the face with his clinched fist, while or
the other hand the Mayor st%renuously
denies such charges an dciaims thar Hau-
ser fe.i against the wall in the City
Clerks Office after he had pushed him
out OF his office.
Hauserss face bears evidence of having
received violent treatment. but whether
he was struck by Mayor Fagan, as he
alleges, or fell against the wall is a ques-
tion which has aroused considerable spec
ulation. Many conflicting statements are
told by both parties and eyewitnesses TO
the fraeas. A majority of the witnesses
positively declare that Mayor Pagan did
not strike Hauser. but merely pushed him
out of his office when he refused to leave
~peaceably.
Al the conclusion of the Council meet
ing yesterday afternoon, Mayor Pagan
was converslng with several friends in
his private office when Hauser entered
and demanded an interview. The Mayor
consented to hear what ne had to say.
Hauser complained that the ashes and
garbage contractor was negligent in his
work and had refused to remove the ashes
receptacles opposite his home. He said
that he mad complained several times
about the matter. but that no heed was
paid to his complaints. The Mayor adj
vised Hauser to complain to the com
mittee of the Boar of Council about the
contractors negligence.
Il don't need to complain to the COM
mittee.'' exclaimed Hauser, somewhat
angrily. Il came here TO complain to
swell, i told you what to do" replied
the Mayor, land ii you don't want to do
it. | can't do anything for you.'
Hauser then began, it is alleged, to
assail Mayor Pagan with vile and abus-
i've language ana the Mayor ordered him
to leave his office. Mr.. Hauser refused
and began to denounce the Mayors adj
ministratlon as being corrupt when the
Mayor caught him by the arms ana for
chilly elected him from his office into the
City Clerk S office.
Hauser still continued his TRADE of
abuse until several friends induced him to
leave the buildings. When he reached
had struck him without provocation. His
mouth was bleeding, and the left side of
his face was bruised. Several of his
friends advised him to procure a warrant
for the Mayors arrest for assault and
battery, but he refused, saying hat he
would appear before the Grand jury.
Mayor Pagan strenuously denied Haul
ser's allegations that he had struck him.
He said mat Hauser was somewhat under
the Eiluenee of liquor when ne came into
his office and began 10 abuse MIN. He or
dered Hauser to leave, ana when ne re-
fused he merely pushed him out of the
door. The Mayo said he did not strike
him, and does not know how Hauser was
injured.
Councilmen Steuvwald, Londrigan and
Steil were seated in the City Clerks
office when Hauser was elected out of the
Mayors Office. They corroborated the
Mayors statement that he did not strike
Hauser, but merely pushed him out of his
office because he used vile and abusive
language.
Mayor Pagan and Mr.. Hauser have not
heen on good terms since the Mayor APP
polluted William Fenton to succeed Mr..
Hauser to the Fire Board last spring.
Mayor Pagan said this morning hat
he met ex-Eire Commissioner Hauser
last night and apologized for having
handled him so roughly when. he elected
him from his office yesterday afternoon.
He said that he explained matters sat
isfactorily to Mr.. Hauser and that the
latter was now satisfied that the Mayor
meant no offerse when he showed him
out of the office.
Mr.. Hauser said hat he did not know
whether Mayor Pagan struck him or
that he fell against the wall in the
City Clerks office. He was satisfied
with the Mayors apology and would
make no further complaint.
Let the whole matter drop. he said.
TT was all a mistake and all my fault.
[ don't blame the Mayor for anything