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N e w a r k S t a r L e d g e r : M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 5 0
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Ex-student's charge denied by Waksman From our Trenton Bureau TRENTON – Attorney for Dr. Selamn A.Waksman and the Rutgers Research and Endowment Foundation last night denied a charge by a 30-year-old former Rutgers University graduate student accusing Dr. Waksman of misrepresenting himself as the sole discoverer of streptomycin. The accuser – Albert Schats, now an assistant biology professor at Brooklyn College – filed suit in Superior Court against Dr. Waksman and the foundation claiming he was a co-discoverer of the drug. Asserting lie holds one-half interest in all profits from the drug, Schatz asked the court to force Dr. Waksman and the foundation to pay him what it shall "find to be due him." 'WITHOUT MERIT' All profits from manufacture and sale of streptomycin have been assigned by Dr. Wa.ksman to the foundation for establishment of a multi-million dollar Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University. Russell Watson, attorney for Dr. Waksman and the foundation, said Schatz's claim was "entirely without merit." "The action will be vigorously contested," Watson said. Schatz, in his suit, claimed that he and Dr. Waksman were named as 'co-discoverers" in a patent application covering streptomicin. He later assigned the application to the foundation, he said, because Dr. Waksman threatened to blacklist him in scientific employment if he didn't. DEMANDED PAYMENT Schatz said his work with the drug took place between June to October, 1943 – while a graduate. student in Rutgers soil microbiology department. He said Dr. Wakaman checked, confirmed and later collaborated in the work. Schatz also said he demanded but was refused payment of half of receipts from streptomycin royalties; Representing Schatz in his suit was Jerome C. Eisenberg, Newark lawyer.
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