The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-29
THE TRIAL OF SAM PARKS Walking Delegate Accused
 of EXtOrtiOn. $500 TO CALL OFF STRIKE Louis Schmitt SwearS He Paid the Blackmail. Parks Said He Would Permit Work to Resume and Kept His Word
 When He Got the
 Money.

New York, Oct. 2s.-The first witness called in the present trial of Samuel Parks on the charge of extortion. was Benjamin Thaehara. who took the stand when court opened today. Thackara is the man who, 1t Is alleged, was sent by the Tiffany corporation to see Parks to ascertain why the men employed by ii had stopped working on some buildings in this city last December.
 He told of his meeting with Parks and of having asked him why the men had stopped work. Parks sid. according to the witness, Tiffany is fined $500 and if you are not prepared to settle send Tiffany te me-"
 Thackar said that he asked Parks to go and see Tiffany, but that the accused replied:' You go back and tell Tiffany to go to - and Jerome and the whole crowd"
 Tiffany Was "Fined."
 David Frazee, general superintendent employed by the Tiffany studios, told of his interview with Parks in saloon Jan uary 15, when Parks agin said Tiffany was fined $500. Later on the same day Frazee. accompanied by Louis schmitt. treasurer of the Tiffany corporation. visit ed Parks in his own home.
 Schmitt asked Parks. the witness said why the "fine' of $500 was imposed. and Parks replied: Now, you are fined $5U and you are getting of light. It ought tc be si 900. am not in this business for my health, and you are getting off easy. Other firms have done business with me, and if you don't want to pay you can fight 1t like some other firms, who changed their minds quick
 Schmitt. according to the witness. ther said: we have to pay this money in or. der to do business"
 That's about it." said Parks, but 1t is for fnitiation' that sounds better" Witness asked to whom thls money went. and Parks replied: Tt goes to Sam Parks
 Gave Names of Other Men. l As soon as court reconvened, Jesse LOT Timer. Secretary of local No. of thS Housesmiths and BriGaemen's union. 9i which the defendant. Parks. is the buAb. ness agent. was called, and gave ths l names of the union men who were work 1 ing for the Tiffany Studios on Decembei | 30 and quit work on December a. | Louis Schmidt, treasurer of Tiffany | Studios. was the next witness and his story of the interview with Parks. Nov | 5, was in the main corroborative of Fra gers testimony. earlier in the day. Park | told them that the fine should be paie and until it was, not a bit of worb would be done on the Tiffan jobs The witness said that Parks reply to this question as to whom the money wouh go. was 'It goes to Sam Parks ane you can go to any of the firms that have done business with me and find out that Sam ParSs's word goes.' Schmidt testified that Parks refused t accept a check when he suggested tha method of paying the fine" saying:
 You don't think that I was born yes terday. want bills and you can get them marked by Tiffany or Jerome, os any one you like"
 Could Employ Nonunionists. A stir went through the court room when witness told of Parks saying thaI he could employ non-union men.
 Why the union, men will kick I saN to him." the witness declared.
 Never mind." Parks replied; I've go these muzzled and if any of them ob jeas, I will fine him $50, and he canno get another job in the city"
 Schmidt then testified that he had gon, alone to Parks'S residence January 2, twt days later. and handed Parks an envelop, containing the $500 in bills and gold. Botl men had verified the amount. Parks thei said that the men would resume work thr following morning. which they did.
 During the cross examination Schmid said that Parks told him that the Tiffan, Studios could employ non-union or unioi labor as they deemed fit. Parks had tolt the witness that the Heckla Iron Work had paid him $2.0Oo. but not that he hai distributed this among the members ol his organization. He knew that Park. was committing crime in accepting ths $500, and Parks's intimation that ht might report it to the district attorney if he liked, had quite taken his breath away.
 At the conclusion of Schmidt's testi. mony court adjourned for the day.