The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-30
CoNFEssES RECEIVING $500
But INSISTS 1T WAS NOT EXPORTED
FROM THE TIFFANYs.
Declares the Money Was Collected
as an Initiation Eec-Testimony
of Other Witnesses.

4 nus DeSn on tTHal since MONDAY,
stated this evening that he would endeavo-
TO bring the trial to a conclusion before
| Saturday.
Parks was witness to-day. While he adj
| nitted that a great deal of the testimony
given by the witnesses for the prosecution
was true, he testified that many of the
accusations made against him were mis-
representations of fact. Two or three times
Assistant Attorney Rand, by a severe cross
fire of questions, apparently had Parks in
an awkward place but Mr.. Osborne and
the other lawyers for the defense were
very watchful and their persistent objec-
| tons TO leading questions We're invariably
sustained by the court. Parks made no
! secret of his having received the $500 from
| the complaining witnesses. but he insisted
that this money was paid in a legitimate
business transaction with the Tiffany
studios, the corporation on the complaint
of which Parks's indictment in this case
was secured.
Parks, while in poor health, seemed to be
full of energy throughout to-days ordeal.
Several times the prosecuting lawyers at
tempted TO get on record the fact that
Parks had bank account of magnitude
beyond the possibilities of an ordinary
mechanic, but each attempt was overruled
or cut short through the strenuous efforts
Of counsel for the defense.
USED THE WORD eve"
When questioned by Mr.. Osborne as to
| his having met some of the men who came
to him from the Tiffany Company the ac-
cused insisted that he used the word we"
meaning the organization, whenever he
spoke of the trouble between HIS union and
the employers. He said that he may have
cursed He denied that he had told Schmitt
that the money was for himself. He said
that his words were to the effect that
1.-The money came to him first and then
went to the organization" He admitted
the reference to District Attorney Jerome.
Parks said that he had said to Schmitt
that Tiffany could employ nonunion men
on small jobs, as they could do it easier
than on jobs where many mechanics were
employed Parks :. admitted telling Mr..
fined $500 and that Tiffany could come TO
see him az his home.
The line of defense was uncovered when
Parks, in answer 10 Mr. Osbornes ques-
lftions, said that he paid the $500 to Treas
urer Johnston, of the union. Mr.. Osborne
I dramatically called upon Johnston to
stand up shouting out the request as the
| man desired stood forth in plain view. MIR.
Osborne said stand there where we can
see you" and then, turning TO the witness.
the s5oo?" 'A'' ''-e "'''' - "i''"' ~" p'''
Parks was about to reply when Assistant
District Attorney Rand objected and Parks
was not allowed to answer.
Parks denied absolutely that he ordered
any strike in the Tiffany case or that
fine was imposed because the firm was
en- record as a nonunion firm. The "inti-
alton fee he said, was levied by the
association and he told Frazee that it would
place the firm on record as a union firm
with all large contractors in the city.
DISCRIMINATION.
Mr.. Rand, in cross-examination, asked
the witness whether the men stopped work
on the Tiffany jobs of their own accord,
and Parks said: Il did not tell them. did
| not call the strike. When reminded of
his testimony at the Plenty trial that the
rules and regulations of the union did not
allow men to go on q strike of their own
accord, Parks said that he had not called
on the men to leave their work but it was
done in the regular way. Nearly everything
| TO which Thackara had testified was con-
coded by him. Parks admitted that dur
ing the eight years that he has lived in
| New York he had no other means of sup
| port than this position as walking delegate.
Questions which the prosecuting attorney
put to Parks regarding certain bank de-
posits were ruled out, as were other ques-
| tons relative to Parkss alleged pull
with the Fuller Construction Company.
| Louis Schmitt, who, it is alleged gave
Parks $500 last January, the act which
| forms the basis OF the charge against the
defendant. was called to the stand, and Mr..
, Osborne resumed his cross-examination.
/ Mr.. Osb0rle produced some papers and
asked the witness if they were correct. TO
which Schmtt replied in the affirmative.
, One of them was a receipt given by Schmitt
To the cashier of the Tiffany studios for 500
. on Jan. last, and another paper showed
that $500 was paid TO Parks by Schmitt FOR
services rendered. Before leaving the stand
Schmitt said he had not consented willingly
, to pay the fine of $500 To Parks.
Charles Avery, cashier of the Tiffany
studios, testified to his having drawn a
check FOR $500 on Jan. a. for which he re-
ceived three 500 bills at bank, ard these
together with $500 in bills and gold, he
, handed over to Schmitt on that day. the
same day on which Schmitt swore TO hav-
ing paid the fine" TO Parks.
OBJECT OF UNIONISM
! Robert e. Neidig, who for two years and
three months was president OF the local No
of the Housesmiths' and Bridgemen's
Union, but who was deposcd during the
present year. testified that the objects o.
the housesmiths and bridgemen's organiza.
ton was to further the interests of work
ingmen, increase wages and maintain steady
conditions in the trade.
Mr.. Rand endeavored to have the witncs.
testify as to whether his term of Office a.
, president particularly during the month o.
! | January last, he had heard Parks make Z
| report rs walking delegate of the preyiou.
weeks transaction, at any meeting OF tn,
local. or hand i'm a written report to tha
effect TO the recording secretary, but Mr.
| Osborne strenuousy objected. and the cour
sustained the objection. After some mino
| testimony 10 a contract the prosecution
| rested
Mr. Osborne Immediately renewed his ap
: | plcation for the discharge of the prisone
p | because OF defective Indictment. The cour
| denied the motion. Mr.. Osborne then began
. | his speech to the jury opening the defense
: He said: Il will show you and Parks Wi
l tell you that this charge OF extortion is ab
surd. Parks and the Tiffany people paid 81
initiation fee OF 500, being put on the list o
| union shops. besides receiving very valu
| able considerations. 1t is absurd con
. | tinued Mr.. Osborne. Ito imagine for mo
nent that man like Parks. dying OF con
$ sumption. would deliberately commit
n | crime which would oonsign him to prison
/, 10 die there" He declared Parks's dealing
: with the Tiffany people were perfectly lega
: | and invited the jury to look at Parks am
mark his highly nervous and delicate con
| dition when he put him the stand TO ties
tify in his own behalf. As soon as Mr.. Os
borne finished his opening the court took
:, recess. Parks took the stand witnes
= i'm his own defense at the opening Of tn
= | afternoon session.