The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-10
DRUG TRUsT,s METHOps.
Attempting to Prevent Frank Ho-
bart From Getting Supplies

bart From Getting Supplies
Frank Hobart, a local druggist. knows
what it is to be up against the real
thing The high priced druggists AMI
the national drug trust have started in
to make life a burden TO him. This new
combination octopus seems to have
landed with its iron heel on Hobart
neck Hobart viii know more as he
grows older. He got a notion in his
head that he could fix his own prices
on the goods he sells. He cut prices on
all articles. and before he knew what
had happened the high price druggists
took the matter up with the drug trust
and shut of his source OF supplies. Now
Hobart is having a lot Of trouble in
finding wholesale drug houses that win
sell him goods. He can't buy anything
west Of the Mississippi river, and every
day the doors of the drug trust are be-
ing closed to him. So far he has been
able to buy goods, but he realizes that
the high priced fellows have about got
him cornered. Through the aid of the
drug trust they expect to whip him
back into line on high prices.
Mr.. Hobart says he viii continue to
cut prices and he def1es the Topeka
drug combine to do its worst They
may make It difficult for me to buy
goods. and may put me to all manner
of inconvenience. but ] viii never sur
render" That's pretty brave talk for a
man who feels on his neck the iron heel
of the octopus. It's & courage and in
dependence the people will endorse and
appreciate but it's a fight that will be
watched with interest. Mr.. Hobart will
realize that he has tackled a big job In
undertaking to run counter to the wish
es of both the high-priced druggists
and their friend and champion, the Ma
tional Retail Druggists association.
Asked il he had been refused goods
by wholesale drug houses because of
his cut on prices, Mr. Hobart exhibited
a number of letters Under date OF June
%. Eaxon, Horton & Gallagher of kan
sas City wrote Mr. Hobart saying: I'VE
have your order for one dozen Mellin's
Food. large, and while we dislike to
appear unaceommodating, we prefer
not to I'LL the same"
Meyer Bros Drug company OF st.
Louis on July 16. declined to fill an or
der from Mr.. Hobart saying: Replying
to your favor and inquiry regret to say
under existing circumstances we must
beg to decline your orders This house
regrets the necessity for such action on
its part"
The Evans Smith Drug company of
Kansas City was frank enough to tell
Mr.. Hobart why ne could not buy goods
of that house, as instanced in the fol-
lowing letter under date of June Is.
We are truly sorry that we are
obliged to advise you that we cannot
accept your order for goods to be sent
by express which came in this morn
ing's mall We have been advised Off
cially by the National Retail Druggists
association that you are conducting a
cut-rate drug store and this is our only
reason for refusing your order, other
wise we would be pleased indeed to IA
vor YOU"
On June % the c. D. Smith company
of St. Joseph, turned down an order
from Mr. Hobart with this letter: Your
order Of June q at hand. We regret
we are not in q position to fill the same
as desired and SO do not ship"
Mr. Hobart made an order for goods
on McPike & Fox, wholesale druggists
at Atchison and under date of July g,
this firm writes: Acknowledging re-
ceipt Of your order for half barrel oe
alcohol we are very sorry 10 advise that
we are unable to fill the same at this
time Regretting the circumstances
very much We remain, etc"
The Vannata-Lynds Drug company
did not reply to Mr. Hobart's order of
July 1. The letter was returned with
out comment
Mr.. Hobart says he has had no trou-
bic 80 far in buying goods for his trade.
but that he has been compelled to buy
of houses east of St Louis and Chicago.
Just how soon the drug trust and the
high priced druggists will shut him out
of the eastern markets, as they have
succeeded in doing in the west he does
not know At any event he proposes to
continue to do a cut rate business at
the old stand, Tenth and Topeka ave-
nue..