The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-01

OF the agreement which Mr. VrOOman
enters into with the grocery stores
which he gets control OF. and also re-
publishes in full the Interview which
Mr.. VrOoman gave to the State Journal
on June "a 1t is claimed that Mr.. vroo-
man is by m cans of this contract trying
to get control of grocery stores at a
price of 81 apiece. Commenting on the
contract, the Merchants Journal says:
There appears to be four parties to
this contract. although Mr.. Vrooman
is to stand in the contract for the two
last:
1.-The Victimized Merchant
walter Vrooman.
western Cooperative Association.
1.-THE Multitude Incorporated.
1.-The Vicitimized Merchant is to put
in, under the contract, his store at an
invoice price, with no allowance for
good will. He will surrender absolutely
the control of his property and become
in effect employee of Walter Vroo-
man, who will have as the contract
says, full and complete authority to di
rect and manage said business in all re-
spects.' The Victim will, however at
the same time be responsible for all the
debts, and the results Of the mfsmar
agement and mistakes OF VToon an will
have to be borne by him. If a large
part of the goods are trusted out by
VroOman to ad-beatS the merchant
cannot help himself for it is only after
the stock Of goods constituting said
store, together with all accounts re-
ceivable are less than the In
voice price of said stock of goods that
the Victim will have the right to re-
sumo control of what may be left of his
property. The Victims clerks may be
discharged, as they have been at Kan
sasS City, and the creatures of Vrooman
put in their places. He can be compelled
to buy large quantities of goods on
credit and VrOOman can then distribute
them on credit among his followers and
the Victimized Merchant is, under the
contract, bound to pay the 5obber for
the goods. for the contract says the
business at said store shall be conduct
ed in the name Of the party Of the first
part (the victim), in whose name all
goods shall be purchased
1.-THE merchant is. however, to receive
monthly salary, but his salary, ac-
cording to the contract, win be a claim
secondary to Vrooman's salary Of per
cent on the sales. which Is payable
weekly.
Providing there is left in profits, at
the end of the year, to pay 1t, the mer-
chant is to receive 6 per cent ON his
invested capital.
ION the other hand vrooman puts In
one dollar, and in return for it the mer-
chant puts him in possession Of his
store and let's him manage his business
and weekly gives him per cent on all
the goods, cash or credit, that may be
sold out of the store. In return for this.
Vrooman is to get members for his CO.
operative association and advertise the
business, and manage it. He can get as
few members for the association as he
chooses, and when they are secured
there is nothing to compel them to trade
with the victimized merchant He can
advertise the store as much or little as
he pleases. He is only compelled to
maintain general supervision over said
store in such manner as he may deem
best
1T is hardly worth while to discuss
the share the Multitude Incorporated
and the Western cooperative associa-
ton may have under this contract. IT
seems that any profits that may ac-
crue to the members of the Western Co
operative association are to pass
through the hands of the Multitude In
corporated,' and according to the inter-
view, my brother, Harry Vrooman, IL
the president of the Multitude Incorpor-
ated. and the stock Of the concern is
owned by the Ruskin college corpora
ton. of which I am president
Now this scheme, childish as 1t
seems. is actually being put to a prac-
teal test in Kansas City, and here is
what Elisha Winter of Kansas City
says of the results in his Budget in the
St. Joseph Journal of Commerce..
During the past week there have
been several calls made at headquar-
tiers of the Kansas City Retail Mer-
chants association OF employees. who
have been displaced by the stores which