Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 128, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1903 — SAM PARKS GUILTY. [ARTICLE]

SAM PARKS GUILTY.

Jury Finds the New York Labor Boss Extorted. Samuel J. Turks, ‘walking; delegate of Housesmiths nnd Bridgemen’s Union, local No. 2, of New York, was again convicted of extortion in the Court of General Sessions Friday afternoon. It took the jurymen just twelve minutes, in which .time they took’ two ballots, to agree that Parks had extorted SSOO from the Tiffany Studios Co., a firm of contractors, under threat of keeping them from continuing work on buildings last January. It was shown at the trial that Parks had obtained the SSOO as an “initiation fee” when the housesmiths arid bridgemen were on strike on three of the Tiffany contracts in New York City. Parks claimed that this rnoyey was n fine levied by his labor union. * Later the fact developed that Parks had been disloyal to his union, inasmuch as he permitted the Tiffany firm,-to employ non-union men on jobs after having received the SSOO. When Parks heard his doom pronounced all his former bravado left him; he wdl hanging over the railing, his head bowed with shame and grief. He was the very picture of despair. The convicted walking delegate looked about the court room for bis followers, but not one was on band. While the jury was out the court room had been cleared and the doors were locked. 'lt was feared that there might be a demonstration. When the jurors filed out of court ind Parks was led back toward the rear of the court room there was a wild rush in the outer hall. Parks’ friends wanted to get into the court room. He saw them at the door. He halted as he reached tho gate that leads to tho prisoners’ pen. “I want to see the gang. I want to shake hands with the gangs,” insisted Parks. But Captain Wheelock of the court squad nnd the other officers pushed Parks along, and a moment later the door had closed behind him.