New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-11
SPLIT OVER HEARST GIFT.
Care $500 to Rent Fund for Political
Reasons, Holder Says.

Allegations OF fraud and political influence
split up the meeting for organization Of the
New-York Rent Payers Protective Association,
in Mckinley Hall. in East FOurth-st.. last night.
into two factions. who argued the points at issue
so vociferousy that Captain McDerrnott, Of the
Fifth-st. station. at stage of the proceed
ings the point of clearing the hall with
his reserves fearing a riot.
The meeting called an open one OF
those who have organized under the leadership
OF Miss Bertha Liebson to take measures against
the increase of rentals in the East Side tene-
ment house districts. and to fight dispossess ac-
tions I'm the municipal courts.
What proved the hone OF contention was the
contribution OF 5000 TO the fund by William
Randolph Hearst. The orga nfzatfon. when the
gift was made few days ago. merely in a
tentative stage and dispute at once arose as TO
the possession of the $500 Mr.. Hearsts repre-
sentative handed over the money to Samuel
Katz a socialist.
He attempted to preside at the meeting. at
which about one hundred and fifty men and
women were gathered. His right to the chair
was questioned by Louis Zeltner. lawyer, Of
No. Pitt-st.. who is counsel for many Of those
who have received dispossess notices. After
heated argument it declared the sense OF
the meeting that ZeltneE should be temporary
chairman. Katz, however. did not give UP his
place on the platform. and. amid much pound
ing of the gavel by the chairman. delivered an
address, In which he urged that all the tenants
I'm the city be organized into one big union. on
the lines OF labor unions.
Chairman Zeltner interrupting him. declared
that he would permit no reference to unions or
social democracy or Tammany Hall OF Republi-
canism; that they were assembled TO organize an
association for the protection Of the rent payers
and to guard against the encroachments OF the
landlord.
Miss Liebson here" said zeltner. has given
a bond of $50 to the United Hebrew Trades as
treasurer of the association. These people here
refuse to let her accept this 500 and Katz took
it and has it here now. He refuses to give it
up"
There was Immediately a cry from all parts
of the hall that Katz should surrender the 500
But he refused to do so. He declared that it
had been given for political reasons. and refused
to surrender it until he had consulted with the
delegates Of some unions In the tuu-ult that
followed Katz leaped from the platform and.
surrounded by a coterie OF labor union men and
socialists who had held the corner Of the hall
in front Of the platform. started for the door.
Morris Marks shrieked TO the police at the rear
Of the hall to arrest Katz: that he had the 800:
but the police did not fit to move. Katz and
his crowd went out and organized another meet
ing eight doors away. IN the MetropOIltan AS =
ceum Katz was appointed treasurer. He told
Mr. Hearst's representative later in the evening
that a committee had been appointed by his
meeting 10 return the money in the morning
When some semblance of order had been re-
stored in the original meeting permanent or
garization was effected. with Zeltner as chair
man and Max Bichwit secretary. When II
was announced that the treasurer would have
10 qualify I'm $500 there were no bidders for the
position although Max Miller said that he
would cheerfully qualify it the 5000 were re-
turned Harry Levberz offered TO furnish p
500 cash bond but he was opposed on the
ground that he landlord. Finally COM
mittee Of five was appointed to get treasurer