The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-11
NO TRUST STARCH
Topeka People Urged to Buy
Antitrust Brands.
Commercial Club Takes a De-
ciGed Stand.
MUST COOPERATE.
People Must Stand by OrganiZa-
tion In the Fight.
Government Control of Public
Utilities a Panacea For Evil.
Taxing Corporations Suggested
as a Means of Relief.
Club Takes a De-
ciGed Stand.
MUST COOPERATE

The Topeka Commercial club went on
record at the meeting Wednesday night
as opposed TO the trusts and in favor Of
combined and individual efforts TO crush
them as they have crushed the smaller
industries.
A resolution calling on the merchants
of Topeka TO deal in starch not manu-
featured by the trust was introduced
and q lively debate followed before it
was adopted The reason for singing
out starch from the many products
manufactured and controlled by the
trusts was that Topeka felt the OPP
pressing hand of the mighty Organiza-
ton when the starch trust closed up
the start factory and crushed one of
the most promising Industries in the
city. The resolution suggested that the
merchants handle starch made in fac
tories not controlled by the trust, and
lively discussion followed
Why not say we will not buy from
a merchant who deals in starch manu-
featured by the trust" said W A s.
Bird. Let's assist our merchants and
help them TO break up the trusts Let's
go to work as individuals and as an
organization If We mean anything let's
make it appear that way This matter
can not be settled by passing meaning
less resolutions
Let the people know what we want
to do" said Frank H Foster If the
question of fighting the trusts IS being
agItated I think the people would help
Us if we take the proper action"
Il don believe there Is a man in
the room who knows what kind of
starch in MS household said Abe
Steinberg- These resolutions do no
harm, but the way to reach the trust is
by legislation
7 hope the club viii not put itself on
record as a bOycottiug anizatiOu.' >
said s. H. Downs. As far as these res
oIutions go, they will do the trusts little
good and no harm"
Ii
matter it will do some good said Mr..
Bird We are trying to do some
thing we know nothing about There
must be an individual or con-
certed effort The trusts would read
these resolutions and laugh at US"
If all commercial clubs pass such
resolutions the trusts will soon conclude
that they had best heed the voice Of
the people" said W. NJ. Forbes. There
must be a foundation for individual eff
fort and we can lay that foundation
There is nothing in this resolutions but
Is proper to go on record. We have felt
the iron heel of the trust and should
take action
Let grocers advertise that they sell
starch not manufactured by the trust -
said F. H Foster.
The resolutions have no influence
said William Green, the grOcers will
buy the cheapest starch regardless OF
resolutions and trusts I do not know
the brands manufactured by the trust
and they perhaps have so"
This can be reached through the
grocerymen. said W. F Weber THE
best starch is made outside the trust
The motion to adopt the resolution
was carried with but three dissenting
votes.
During my two weeks of travelling
over the state [ have found that in ev-
cry town the commercial club or bust
ness mems organization is waiting for
Topeka to take action against the
trusts. said Major Anderson Plight
here in Topeka many buildings have
because of the heavy advance in the
price Of material The advance was or
dered by the trust I have been a pro-
tectiOnist all my life but I believe that
competition is the only way to crush
the trusts and if II takes free trade to
do it I am for free trade
This is a question that is threaten
ing our whole country said Mr.
Downs Mills and factories are being
closed at different places in our state
by the orders CT the trusts The club
should work on this and keep it up
The only way 10 stop this evil is by leg
islati0n and the only way TO secure leg
Is1atIOn is by working up q public sent
irnent so strong that congress and the
different state legislatures viii be con
rroIled by the voice of the people and
not by the trusts We should organ
IZe the farmers on one hand and the
merchants on the other. The Kansas
mills making lfnseed oil products can
not do it for their output could not be
consumed in the state and when thew
went out Of the state they would meet
the trust and be crushed no matter
what the people Of Kansas might do
The trusts buy their raw material in
the west, ship il TO Chicago and have