Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-20
SAM PARKS
Extraordinary Rise Of 4 Man
Who Has Proven the Enc
my Equally Of Labor
and Capital.
CRATER AND BLACkMAlLER

The following very interesting art
icle from the pen Of Henry Harrison
Lewis Is copied In full from the Cur
rent number Of Harpcr's Weekly Il
depicts the character and methods d
I'M who has exerted nm influence III
labor circles rs disastrous Us II Il
extraordinary
When district Attorney Jerome said
10 me iii his Office on the first day d
this month that within six weeks biz
would have Sam Parks again doing
time IN Sing Sing he offered the onl,
available solution of a remarkable anl
extremely serious labor question, 8
q safely say that within six weeks
We viii have the dangerous element III
that gang 81 grafters up the river. We
will send Foley M first. Then We
will follow with Mccarthy. That chap,
you know, Ii about as dangerous az
Parks himself. In fact, ] really think
he has more brains than Parks. and
that he has originated the biggest
schemes. He In at the head OF the
'sirong-arm' gang, and Is more feared
by The decent labor element than the
LEI With Mccarthy and Foley out
of way. we will start Parks doing
hfsNAt. and then think the good men
on both Sides Will come together
Before seeing Mr.. Jerome | spcn,
some time with representative men Of
the Employers association. with Judge
Mcconnell OF the Fuller CONSTRUCTION
company, and with others representing
both sides of the subject. The facts
learned from these interviews are.
First. that the citizens OF New York
do not appreciate the extreme gravity
OF the labor situation In their city.
Second. that Sam Parks Is a distinct
menace TO the peace and welfare not
only of capital as represented BY Tho
building interests. but OF the laborinr
classes.
Third, that seldom before In the his,
tory or this country has such a high
handed disregard OF the law been
shown as that exhibited by Sam Parks
and his gang OF thugs since his spec
tacnlnr uprising last May.
Fourth, that the shameful truth must
be confessed that relief can come only
from the capture and impounding Of
Sam Parks az one would a mad dog.
The situation can be viewed from
four standpolnts. namely: that 81 the
Employers association. that OF the In.
dependent dealers, such as the Fuller
Construction company, that Of tho dc.
cent element In the labor organiza.
tions. and that OF the vicious element
represented by Parks,
From all Indications the Employers
association and the decent element arc
In sympathy. The status Of the other
two is not sc clear. although | have
repeatedly been told that a certain
bond exists. or did exist. between the
Fuller Construction company and Sam
Parks. The charge that Parks was
imported from Chicago by the Fuller
Construction company has been dc.
MED by Judge Mcconnell. as repre-.
sentative of the company. which closes
that particular incident. II has little
bearing on the present situation.
The Employers association, through
one Of lts officials. states that il Is Mt
present working a force equal to GO
per cent OF It's former force. and that
Samuel Parks can no longer be con,
sidercd a factor; that. In fact, his
power 10 cause the association trouble
is gone. Notwithstanding this state.
ment. I was also given 10 understand
that Sam Parks out Of jail meant a
tie.up in the building trade this win
Ter, and consequently a serious finan-
cial loss to the building industry. ny
the president Of the association this
loss WA estimated at SEQ. 900. 600: by
the yice.presidcnt at ss5 900 900
The fact that Parks did no, succeed
IN having his candidate. Hugh y. Den.