The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-08
SHE'S The FEMALE sam PARKS
EMMA SCHWARTZ, THE LADY
PICKET, HEROINE OF A RIOT

And Bright Particular Star Of tho Rag
sorters' Union-She Didn't DO Thing
to Two Gentlemen From Italy. Who
Rashly Enlisted on the Other Side.
Emma Schwartz says she Is an admirer
OF Sam Parks and likes his methods. Emma
Is only IL years cid, but she's fighter.
She Is also one of the leaders In the Rag
Sorters' Union.
This union was organized about three
months ago in the shop of Steinberg Bros.
dealers In woollen rags at and First street.
of the firm, the walking delegate appeared
and tried to convince the firm that the en-
ployees worked too long and did not get
enough pay. Besides, nobody but men,
beers Of the Rag Sorters' Union should be
employed by the firm. That was the walk
ing delegates ultimatum.
The firm didn't consider 1t, and about
three weeks ago most Of the employees
went on strike. Fifteen women and three
men were hired to take their places.
The strikers Immediately began to try
10 induce tho newcomers to quit. When
they didn't succeed. pockets were posted
around the shops and threats were made.
Emma Schwarts was the most aggressive
Of the pickets and soon became the ring
leader. Her word was law.
First street and the Bowery were crowded
With strikers and their friends from the
nearby sweat shops at Z o'clock yesterday
morning. As tho new hands went into
Steinberg Bros shop they were jeered
and Kissed. The strikers crowded around
and tried to prevent the men and women
who had replaced them from going to work.
with two Italian women when James
Balloon, an Italian OF SO Mulberry street,
came along. Balloon saw his countrywomen
being roughly handled and went to their
assistance. He was followed by another
Italian.
In twinkling q brisk fight was going
rounded by a crowd 1,,S Of women pickets,
and blows were rained on the men. In
mix-up of swinging arms one shot out
and struck Balloon in the eye Balloon is
sure that the well directed blow was de-
hvered by Emma. He ought to know, for
he struck the pavement with bang
While this was going on there were
number Of minor scraps and hair pulling
gerald appeared and for q moment there
was q lull but the,strikers and their friends
returned to the attack moro iercely than
before. Stones and other missiles wore
thrown and many windows were broken.
There was full hedged riot in progress
when some ono telephoned to Police Head
quarters, and in a jiffy the reserves from
the Fifth street station wore scattering the
crowd. The police had seen 80 much
activity on the part Of Emma Schwartz
that they arrested her on Balloons COM
plant Of assault. Balloon appeared against
her in the Yorkville police court. The girl
didn't deny that she had struck Balloon,
but said it was in self defence.
Il was doing picket duty she explained,
'and he tried to strike mo with an iron bar
Magistrate Breen discharged her with q
warning. He said that he couldn't stop
her from doing picket duty, but suggested
that in the future she should be careful not
to show 30 much activity.
Emma smiled, for at that moment her
eyes had wandered to the faces Of Balloon
and his countryman. Tho marks Of strife
were plain to the girl. and she seemed
satisfied.
To prevent q recurrence Of tho trouble
OF the morning the Fifth street police had
q squad Of policemen at Steinberg Bros
shop last night whom the workers
went home. The policemen carried night
sticks. Tho women were divided into
patches, and a policeman escorted each
batch safe distance from the shop.