The sun., 1903-08-30


refused to strike at his order were waylaid
and beaten.
HOW HE GREW RICH.
With the ironworkers under his thumb,
Parks found himself in control OF the build
ing situation. How he eXtorted money
from employers, stopped work when and
where he pleased, started it again as he
liked, made men of wealth get down on
their knees to him, are matters OF recent
history i'll New York On the paltry salary
of a walking delegate, Parks lived in a
fine apartment house, wore diamonds on
his fingers and in his shirtfront, paid 81 600
for sealskin ovcrcoat, rode to the meet
ings OF his unions in a cab and kept bank
account Of some $35, 900.
The least opposition to him at the meet
lngs of his union was met with violence,
80 that eventually no man dared raise
voice against Parks and his strikes, which
were impoyerishing the families of scores
oflaboring men. Parks S influence is saidto
lie in the fact chat he has forced employersto
pay ironworkers So day more than they got
before he came to New York. The extra
pay that the men have made, however,
does not nearly make up in some instances
for the loss they have sustained in wages
because OF the strikes constantly ordered
and maintained by Parks.
USED HIS FISTS FREELY.
The idea that Parks's power could be
broken, that the criminal law could ever
be successfully invoked to his undoing,
never occurred to Parks and his friends,
Parks was warned, but, drunk with power,
lie ignored the warning. He knocked one
FdViser flat on his back for presumng
to suggest that he go slow. He forced
his way into the presence OF employers
whether they wanted to see him or not
cursed them, laid down the law to them
and enforced his wishes. He imposed
ridiculous fines, extorted money on the
plea OF waiting time, ran everything with
a high hand, and gave the most remarkable
exhibition OF one-man power that has
ever been seen in this city.
In Canada Parks drank whskey, in Chi
cago he was beer drinker. In New York
Parks drank champagne, and boasted that
he made practice of buying two quarts
to every one that any other man bought
He ate at fashionable hotels, patronized
expensive tailors, rode around in cabs,
slept late mornings and lived altogether
life of luxurious ease. That any of his past
misdeedS would ever come stalking back to
him was something he could not compre-
hend and he never lost his confidence IN
himself. his power or his ability to domi.
nate everything until the jury pronounced
him guilty, and then he hid the blow behind
a volley Of oaths and threats.
SAM PARKS THE CONVICT.
This was Parks the walking delegate,
| or business agent, as he chose TO call him
| self. Parks the convict Is very different
| person. He went to Sing Sing on Thurs
| day afternoon was allowed to settle in hls
| new surroundings on Friday, and began
! his first real day to-day. AT G;l5 O'Clock
| this morning the big bell in Gallery q, where
| the brush gang lock up, roused Parks ana
| the forty-four men who work in the brush
shops with him. Fifteen minutes later
| Parks in his misfit suit of stripes, stood at
| his cell door as it was automatically thrown
| open, and a moment later was marching
in military step with the other convlcts
| to the brush shops, where he was allowed
| to wash. Fifteen minutes after that hc
| and the others were al their breakfast IN
| the mess hall, each mans eyes glued on the
| plate before him
At 7:3O o'clock Parks marched with the
others to the brush shops and began his
| first day of work. He was seated al long
wooden table, on either side of which a
settee is ranged In the middle OF the
table was mass of brush fibre. Ten men
sat at the table with Parks 10 help in the
| work of sorting the hair. On PaIkS's lett
was forger. on his right thief. opposite
was Col Bob Ammon, The rest were OF
no particular consequence.
HANDS TREMBLING; HEAD SUNK.
Parks worked listlessly. His hony hands
trembled as he sotted the hairs and his head
the workroom, however, was particularly
| hard on him II Is one OF the dreadful
things about prison life, especially TO new
| conner that the prisoner speaks TO no one,
| looks in the opposite direction II any one
| approaches and when at work keeps his
ewes on what he is doing. The least diver
gence from these rules brings punishment.
II Parks wants anything, such as a drink
of water, or is taken i'll, he raises his hand
like child in school and a keeper speaks
to him.
him to-day He coultnt help il The only
eyes he met were those of "A keeper, however
and sharp rap of the latter'S club on the
table was usually sufficient 10 make him
remember and turn his glance back to hi-
work. For time these slight mistakes
are forgiven in a new prisoner. by another
week Parks will be sufficiently accustomed
10 the discipline to be held responsible fol
any little lapse of this kind.
Instructor John Hayden gave Parks hi:
first lesson in brushmaklng but didnl
find the eX-cZar of labor very apt pupil
However, Parks pulled at the brush tbr'
and separated the hairs as we'll as coulc
be expected, and at the end of montf
will be in shape to go a little higher W
in he work.
FOOD not TO HIS TASTE.
Park. suffers from the unusual restrain
under which he finds himself, but he suf
rers more from the food, Parks grew
fasfiGious in the last years OF his power
He diued much with men of wealth wh'
needed lis friendship. He hardly touched
his corn beef hash this morning, but at
Il piece of dry bread and slipped littl'
of the black coffee, which is served in th'
prison without sugar or milk. AT nool
Parks tried a little mutton stew and al
some more bread Tonight all Park
had was the usual prison supper OF breaC
and coffee.
| that is served in the cells of the men
Al 4.3o o'clock the brush gang marched
into prison from the shop At the head o
G llcry 0 Parks found table covered will
chunks of dry bread. As the prisoner
mass they are permitted to help them
sal,.es TO as much bread as they like. Th
coffee they find in their cells. Parks tool
one slice of the bread tonight, went int
his cell. and at i:i5 o'clock the bolts -lippc'
in on his cell door and he WAS locked u
for the night.
Parks stood up at bis cell door twic
aftnrward when Principal Keeper Con
naIpht on took the evening counts, a
Connaughtou passed him he said nothing
hut went back to his cot and lay do"I
nder he rules he is allowed TO keep HI
light burning until 10 o'clock, but Park
didn't LIGHT il last night, according to tn
keepers. Later he will probably be gla
10 Use this privilege, for he will be allowe
TO read. to write and to smoke Parks ha
had Two portions Of tobacco dolcd out I
him, but has touched none,
AND so FOR TWO YEARS
The routine of to-day is the routine tina