The San Francisco call., 1899-07-25
FlSTIC ARGUMENTS
BETWEEN MERCHANTS
A TALE TOLD IN WHISPERS ON
CHANGE.
Henry Cahen of the California Fruit
Company and Frank Johnson
of the Johnson-L ocke
Company Clash.

There was a clash of business interests
on California street the other day that
set the tongues of the commercial dis
trict wagging good naturedly.
The collision was between the Johnson
Locke Company and the California Fruit
Company. The principals were Henry
Cahen, manager of the last named cor
poration. and Frank Johnson. The clash
was one of fists and not Of finances ana
occurred in a well-known cafe frequented
by business men during the noon hour.
There are many conflicting tales told OF
the affray Some say no blows we're
struck: others that Frank Johnson put
it all over his adversary; others again
that Mr.. Cahen offered a vigorous ana
successful defense.
They met in the cafe at 120 California
street at noon. Mr.. Johnson, according
TO a popular version Of the story on
Change. asked Mr.. Cahen whether ne
(Mr Cahen) had dared to say that nc
(NIr Johnson) had an entire absence OF
principle Mr.. Cahen is said to nave re-
piled that ne never made such a remark.
Mr.. Johnson Is reported to have insisted
that he did.
Thereafter. say the tellers OF the tale,
Mr.. JoErson caused the flush of coun-
ter irritation to food Mr.. Cahen's face.
and followed up the open-hand argument
by closing his fists and belaborlng MS
adversary ad libitum. Then frlends
stepped in. the cOmbatants were separated
and have since then never spoken to each
other as they have passed by along the
great commercial thorOughfare Of the
town.
Now this is only one of the stories told.
There are others But they unite in say
ing that there was a row, that not words
made by Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Cahen 10
punish each other without due process
of law, using those means provlaed Lot
in the economy OF the human anatomy
Even the date of the battle IS IN doQDl-
Some say il occurred last Wednesday;
Mr.. Cahen says il took place seFeral iIl
weeks ago and declares that he not only
has no marks Of the fray, but that ne
has forgotten the time. the place, and
even the circumstance coho,,
Mr.. Johnson and l, said Mr.; Cahen
last evening, did have little misunder-
standing. bUt-pshaw there were no
blows struck / certainly was not hit.
II was NOT an affair of the heart. nor one
arising out of business relations Whlch
caused the late unpleasantneSs. II was
entirely personal matter: 1ata l reaLIy o1l} 04
not desire to discuss it; Mr.. johnson ana .
I have remedied our differences ana are
friends. The whole matter is dead ana
Here again the inevitable genius of
rumor steps in to gainsay the responsive
statement of one of the principals, for on
the street ii is declared that whereas MI
Johnson and Cahen were always in the
habit of sharing together their midday
meal, Mr.. Johnson still luncnes az lne
scene of the late alleged battle, Wnlle Mr.
Caheu dimes at another restaurant where
Mr.. Johnson is not
At any rate. an armistice has been de-
clared, for hostlities have not oeen re-
sumed since the date of the first conf1lct.
Mr. Johnson is in the country ana his
side of the story is yet TO be related.
Hamburg is still the wealthiest city in
Germany There are as many as 136,Si2
payers of income taxes, although all those
whose income is under 900 marks are ex-
empt.