Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-06
.STRAUS B[ACKEO EYE
Broker, With Disagreement,
Says Nathan Did It.
CAUSE MANY YEARS OLD
Brother of Secretary of Commerce
Objected to Old Letter.
VICTIM WILL ASK WARRANT
Declares That Correspondence Had
Not Prevented Amenities Dur
ing Long Interval.
VICTIM WILL ASK WARRANT

NEW YORK. November 6.-Edward
Wasserman. broker. of No ~ Broadway
declared to the World yesterday that lie
intends asking for warrant for the ar
rest of Nathan Straus, the merchant. liv-
ing at No. - West I'D street. on Il
charge of assault Mr.. Straus during the
recent campaign was one OF the most
ardent and active supporters OF Bryan in
the city. His brother, Oscar Stratus, Is
| Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
| "On my day downtown from my home
Oh :6th street this morning. said Mr..
Wassermann, Il stopped at the tailoring
establishment of james w. Bel Sons
Co. at No. 81 18th avenue ThereSl met
| Isaac Stern of Stern Bros, and We ell
gagged in conversation.
| I'VE had been talking short time
! when became aware that Nathan Straus
was rushing at me. He had been III the
| place getting fitted for some clothes and
was in his shirt sleeves. Without the
| least provocation, verbal or otherwise
Mr.. Straus struck me in the face with his
fist The blow caught me just below the
left eye.
Says Stern Stopped Fight.
For the moment was dumfoundcd.
did not know what to make of it. That
man has insulted me- exclaimed Mr.
Straus, speaking to Mr. Stern and point
ing at me. ] started to take off my over
coat and hat. intending to strike back AT
Mr.. StrauS. but Mr.. Stern stepped in be
tween us and stopped me.
MIR. Straus, assuming A most beliS-
erent attitude, and seeming 10 TIE choked
| with rage. accused me then of having
sent him an offensive letter three years
ago. when Hearst was running for mayor
l then recalled that | had written Mr.
Straus letter criticising him for having
| taken an offensive position against the
national administration.
I'm that statement Mr.. Straus attacked
| the administration in severe terms.
| reminded him in my letter that Presiden
| Roosevelt had conferred one of the great
! est honors not only upon the Jewish race
but particularly upon the Strans family
| in having appointed Oscar Straus, brother
| of Nathan StrauS, to the cabinet.
'AlI this happened three years ago. and
since that time / have seen Nathan Straus
more than once, but never until today
did he show any pugilstic tendencies over
| it. He never discussed my letter Will
! me and ] had no idea that he held any
! resentment against me on account of it,
Broker Shows Black Eye.
Had it not been for Mr.. Stern coming
| between US / am afraid ! should have
punched Mr.. Straus in return for the
blow he gave me. / was naturally ruffied
over it, for not only were my feelings
hurt, but the blow was a hard one and
it made my eye sting. Mr.. Stern and
| were standing near the 18th avenue win
dows of the tailoring place when it hap
pened I had not seen Mr.. Straus there
anu If had l wouldn't have anticipated
any attack.
You can see for yourself that this has
turned black and blue added Mr.. Was
serman, as he removed his glasses and
displayed an injured left eye. Il did
not have my glasses on at the time.
| shall certainly ask for a warrant fol
Mr.. Straus arrest within day or SO.
| do not propose to let this thing drop.
When a reporter of the World told Mr.
Straus what Mr.. Wassermann had said
and asked for a statement. Mr.. Straus
replied: Il have nothing to say; nothing
whatever"
| Mr.. Stern refused to discuss the Incl
| dent.