The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-17
Foretold by Writers on EcOno-
mics 15 Years Ago
NOW COMING TO PASS
In Chicago-Retail Merchants
Filled With Alarm
Hold Mass Meetings to Stay the
Onward Advance
OF the Great Department Store
Soon to Swallow Them.

Chicago, Feb. 1.-THE department
stores are responsible for the deprecia-
ton of real estate values in the wide
outlying sections of the city. You
have the majority of the real estate
dealers with you and I know of fifty
men who would each subscribe 1000
in legitimate furtherance of an anti
department store measure said James
b. Galloway at a meeting of represent
atives of the Business Mems associa-
ton from various parts of the city held
at the Revere House last evening. Act
ing upon Mr.. Galloway's assertion, the
cooperation of the Real Estate board
IN securing the passage of a measure
regulating department stores was So
1icited by the assembled merchants.
The meeting was called to form a
central organization of the Business
Mems associations of the city delegates
and delegates from the South End
Business Mems association. Hyde Park
Business Mems association, Southwest
Side Business Mems association, En-
glewood Business Mems association,
South Side Business Mems association,
Wholesale Grocery Statesmen, Pharma-
ceutical association, Cottage Grove
Avenue Business Mems association, Re
tail Druggists association and the
North Side Business Mems associa-
ton were present. G. F. Gillmann of
the North Side association was in the
chair
The effects of the department store
system were dilated upon by a number
of speakers and the necessity of con-
certed action to procure the passage of
the Solomon bill was pointed out.
The state chairman reported that the
committee appointed to revise the Sol
ONION bill would be ready to submit a
report as soon as the central organiza-
ton was formed. He was of the opin-
ion that but little money would be
needed to secure the passage of the
bill and was in favor of raising a fund
to send 900 retail merchants to Spring
field to stay there until the desired leg
1SlatiOn was secured. Tax reform was
another feature that would be looked
after by the delegation while in Spring
field, and an attempt would be made to
have a return made on the 81, 600 900
worth of property in the downtown
district now exempt from taxation.
On the motion of President Nestle
rode of the Hyde Park Business Mems
association the secretary was directed
to invite all organizations in sympathy
with an anti-department store law to
send three delegates to a meeting to
be held February 10 at the Sherman
House in order to perfect a permanent
central organization. At this meeting
a constitution and bylaws will be
adopted and permanent officers will be
elected. President Farr of the Real
Estate board will be invited to partici-
pate in the deliberations
Under the auspices of the Cottage
Grove Avenue Business Mems aSSOcia-
ton a mass meeting was held last
evening in Douglas hall, Cottage Grove
avenue and Twenty seventh street, for
the purpose of protesting against de-
partment stores and adopting meas
ures looking toward their adjustment
Speeches were made faVoring the form
alton of permanent organization of
business men on the South side, having
as its sole purpose the adjustment of
department stores in Chicago.
In opening the meeting President
Quinn announced the result of the
meeting at the Revere House and an
nounced that on next Thursday after
noon the merchants who were present
would again meet and form a perma-
nent organization. A committee from
the Cottage Grove Avenue association
will be appointed to attend Presi-
dent Quinn stated that active work
was contemplated before the legislature
now in session and it was proposed to
raise a fund sufficient to pay the ex-
pense of a delegation to Springfield for
the purpose of urging the passage of
the proposed law. Before the adjourn
1nent of the meeting the secretary was
instructed to receive subscriptions to
the fund, with the result that almost
every member subscribed. Another
meeting with the same object in view
will be held on the West side in a few
days.