Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-17
Alleged Assessment of Wall Street
Brokers.
ACCUSATION IS RIDICULED
Republican Treasurer Declares the
Thing Impossible-Refuses to
Enter Into Controversy.
Special From a Star Correspondent.

Special From a Staf Correspondent.
NEW YORK. October 17.-There was a
dramatic scene in the office Of Chairman
Hitchcock at republican headquarters to-
day when he and Treasurer Sheldon met
an attack from democratic headquarters
on charges affecting campaign contribu-
tions. Half an hour previously, at demo-
cratic national headquarters, Nathan
Straus. brother Of the republican Secre-
q bitter charge to the assembled news
paper men directed against Treasurer
Sheldon of the republican committee. 1t
will be recalled that yesterday Mr.. Straus
ganization was levying on Wall street
brokers for contributions of $500 from
each responsible firm or broker. Last
night Treasurer Sheldon came back with
Mr.. Straus' allegation.
Uses Small and Ugly Word.
Referring to the Sheldon denial Mr.
Straus said this morning for publication
and authorizing the writer's to quote him
that when President Roosevelt denied AL
ton b. Parker's charge that the trusts
were contributing to the republican cam
patgn fund. President Roosevelt probably
believed what he was saying. But in
this case. Mr.. Straus went on to say,
Mr.. Sheldon knows that he is lying
MI. Straus went on to say further that
he was willing to submit to a committee
of four disinterested persons for an in
vestigation of his charge. now repeated,
and would challenge Mr.. Sheldon to sub
nit the controversy to such body of
arbitrators.
The newspaper men then called upon
National Chairman Hitchcock and asked
for his comment upon Mr.. Sfraus' state
menf Of this morning.~-Mr. Hitchcock
said 1t was a matter for Mr.. Sheldon to
take up, although he did not believe that
Mr.. Sheldon would enter into q contro-
versy with Mr.. Straus, and certainly he
would not consume his own time in such
q way.
Answering number Of questions from his
auditors, Mr.. Hitchcock made the state
>ment positively that Mr.. Straus' charge
would be refuted when the national COM
mittee. within twenty days after election.
makes public the list of contributors to
the campaign fund. Mr.. Hitchcock said
that the national treasurer had sent let
ters to thousands of business men ask
ing for fifty-dollar contributions to the
funds, and these letters were addressed
to men in business without regard to the
name of the street or traditions attach
ed to it. But the publication of the list
would not disclose any such condition as
charged by Mr.. Straus.
Treasurer Sheldon's Comment.
Just then a door swung open and Mr..
Sheldon entered. very much surprised. ap-
parently, to encounter the group Of news
paper men. Mr.. Straus' charge of this
morning was repeated to him. the spokes-
man laying particular stress upon the
concluded word. lying"
Mr. Straus would not say that here" !"
remarked Mir. Sheldon coldly, and raising
his head from tense attitude of listen
ing. When Mr.. Straus' suggestion for
a committee of four was repeated to him,
he said:
Mr.. Straus cannot get into any con-
trOversy with me-"
Chairman Hitchcock then broke in to
say that he had already told his auditors
that the committee would not take up a
controversy with Mr.. Straus. and Mr..
Sheldon nodded approval. Then one of
the callers suggested that the use of
1.-The shorter and uglier word probably
made the situation more trying.
ANY one can use that word at long
range" said Mr.. Sheldon scornfully.
Mr.. Sheldon showed impatience only in
reference to the charge that he had
levied on Wall street
How in the world can levy on Wall
street." he asked. heatedly. why a
child knows I could not do that. What
has this campaign to do with Wall
street,"
Will Ignore Straus' Charge.
The upshot of it all is that the ma
tional committee will not take notice of
Mr.. Straus' charge. even to the extent of
entering further denial than already made
by Mr. Sheldon. and will leave the matter
until the books of the treasurer are
opened for public inspection. twenty days
after election.
The publicity given the affairs how
ever. and the prominence of Mr.. Straus
may bring demand upon him to produce
any evidence that he may have sustain
ing the charge. Mr. StrauS' connection
with the democratic national committee
is in the capacity of head of the organiza
ton OF business men supporting Bryan.
n. o. NJ.