The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-02
1T HURTS DRUGSTORES
Joints Threaten to End Legiti-
mate Sale of Liquor
i'm the DrugstOres-Great Fall
ing Off in Reported Sales.
1dany Drugstores Now Selling With
out Application Blanks in Order
to Keep Customers From
Leaving.

There is. a startling decrease in the
liquor sales at the drug stores as re-
ported to the probate judge. The total
number for March is 1880, while in
March last year the number was 4,5O7.
In November, 1895, the sales were 6,O02
and in October of the same year they
were 6,S76.
This state of affairs seems to be due
either to the fact that there are so
many Joints in the city running prac-
tica1ly wide open or that the druggists
make as many sales as they used to
and do not report them.
The druggists say that the falling off
IN sales reported is due to an actual
decrease in sales. One of the promi-
nent druggists said to a Journal re-
porter when asked about the decrease:
1.-THE cause of the decrease is due to
the joints. suppose there are at
least 100 joints in Topeka which are run
practically open. When the liquor
sales were large there were no joints t.
speak of. When one showed it's head
it was promptly pulled. Now the big
Joints are allowed to run and when a
little fellow starts up he is promptly
arrested.
There is something strange about
this fact. A person might think that
because they do not pay some one for
the privilege. If a man is to be ar
rested or pay some one something he
win pay every time or go out of bust
ness
1.-The joints are injuring the legiti-
mate drug store business conducted by
men who keep within the provisions of
the law"
Probate Judge Dolman says he has no
doubt about the reason for the decrease
in sales of liquor; 4 am satlshed,
said he, that the reason for the fall
ing off in the sales is on account OF
the joints. do not know of any
druggists who are making sales and
neglecting to report them. If find
out that such is the case shall at once
revoke the permits. The druggist who
sells liquor contrary to law is no bet
ter than the jointist and I shall not
show him any consideration.
Il do not believe that the number of
permits has anything to do with the
sales, because when a man makes up
his mind that he wants liquor he will
get it, and if he cannot get it at one
place, then he will at another, so it
will make no difference in the total
number of sales"
The records of the probate court
show that there are now 80 permits to
there were 26 and the year previous
there were 35 drug store permits on
file
There is no doubt of the
numerous joints are hurting the
drug store liquor business. A man
who can go to a saloon and get a. drink
without the formaIity of signing his
name to an obligation that he will use
1t for legitimate purposes will seldom
go to a drug store, where he is com
PEELED to make an oath and buy a guam
tity of liquor.
Some of the, drug stores are not par
ticuIar about the signing of the certifi-
Gates by purchasers because the pur-
chasers. say that they can go to g joint
and get their liquor without signing
50 that the Joints have somewhat de-
Enoralized the drug store liquor trade
and made the druggists more careless
regarding the law.
The following sales have been report
ed to the probate judge for March:
E. 3. Walker, SO; George Stansfeld
g96;sJ w. Gish, 81; L. s. WOOlverton, 49,
A. z. Khngman, n; w. D. Woodford
86; Chas. w. Kohl, 8; A. T. Waggoner
s.; A. H. EIerrell, g.; w. H. Wilson
142; A. 0. Rosser, As; Ed T. Sim, 1877
B. A Barrett. Ga; NJ. A. Funchess, ga
3. z. Sim. 1S9; John E. Schnebley, 54i
w. F. Lake, 50: Lee Jones, So; H. NJ
VVashburn, 81; L. D. Mckinley, 81; w
A Karr. So; A. J. Arnold e Son, 172i
Prank Hobart zig: NJ. Weightman, A;
Emmett Rowley, 1873; y B. WOOlvertOn
So w S. Miller, 81; F. A. Snow, 225;