The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-13
WAR ON TIE WSPAPERS.
Department stores Demand Reduced
Rates, and Are Refused.

DENVER, Col, Jan. 12.-An extraordinary
contest has started in this city, with all
the daily papers on one side and fourteen
of the largest dry goods and clothing de-
partment stores on the other. No advertise
ment Of any of these firms appeared in to-
days papers, and formal notice has been
given that none will appear until the papers
aceede to the demands of the merchants.
Last week the business managers of the
dailies were informed that the department
store combination had arbitrarily decided
that advertising rates must be reduced
about 20 per cent. The firms declined to en-
ter In the discussion of the justice of the
demand, simply stating that they had given
their ultimatum. They control about 50 per
cent. Of the regular city advertising, and
believed that the papers must submit to
their dictation, Notwithstanding that ad-
vertising rates in Denver are lower than in
any other city of the same size in the
country
The newspapers replied that concession to
the autocratic order was not only impossible
for business reasons but would destroy the
independence of the press. If the depart
ment stores could fix rates arbitrarily at
their pleasure they could likewise dictate in
all matters of policy, and the papers would
become mere handbills without influence or
self-respect.
The first result of the contest is the pas
sage of a resolution by the Trades Assem-
bly, calling on the City Council to impose
a heavy license on department stores, and
warning all members of labor unions
against them. The smaller merchants are
taking advantage of the opportunity to in
crease their advertising.
Mr.. j. N Huston, formerly treasurer of
the United States under President Harrison
in an interview to-day, says that he believes
the great department stores in all the cities
OF the country are secretly joining forces to
concentrate their power, in the opinion that
such trust may be successfully organized
to control the retail business of the country
in every branch. He says ''The trust
would not be a dream were it to be a ma
tional institution. 1t would contral the price
of everything indirectly-the interest rate
on money, politics, and everything else
The feature of the fight on the newspa-
pers to-day is the rush that was made on a
store that would not enter the trust. Five
policemen were required to keep the crowds
In control, while at the larger stores the
clerks were idle Throughout the State in
every. town and mining camp, meetings
have been called tonight by the unions, and
country editors fear that the next step
will be to whip them into line after the
Denver papers are defeated. Orders will be
diverted from Denver to Eastern cities, and
the department stores in other States will
be made to aid in the local fight.
The dealers in single lines of goods are
combining against the department stores.
The retail butchers, grocers and pharma-
ciSts have already taken action and have
aid them. A bill is before the City Council
known as ''the department store ordinance
and the retail associations are moving to Sc
cure the enactment of the ordinance They
have also resolved to give all the assistance
possible to the daily newspapers which have
accordance with the demands of the de-
partment stores combine