The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-09
GR0CERS IN LEAD.
Take Steps to Organize = Trans
pOrtati0n Bureau.
Of Organization
FOR BETTER RATES.
To Work For Revision OF Topeka
Freight Tariffs.
Nearly Every Gr0ceryman in
the City q Member.

The Topeka Retail Grocers' associa-
ton will probably prove a potent fac
tor in the solution of the freight rate
problem for Topeka, and the settlement
of the difficulties that exist between the
Topeka railroads and their patrons.
The N embers of the grocers' associa-
ton have been quietly working on the
proposition, and matters have been
shaped up until at the present time the
grocers' are almost ready to spring
surprise on the railroads.
There are in Topeka about ITO gro
GERS. OF this number all but a half
ISOLATION Those who are not now MEM
bers it is said will undoubtedly join
with the association members in carry
ing on a contest against the railroads.
The action will be unanimous, and win
include practically every groceryman in
the city.
At meeting Of the board of directors
of the grocers' association at the Com
mercia1 club rooms last evening Hugh
Law1cr was elected secretary. 1t was
decided to pay the secretary a salary.
but the settlement of the amount was
left until another meeting, which win
be held some time next week, at which
time all the members of the association
are expected to be present
The grocerymen OF Topeka are in
earnest in this matter and have deter
mined to take independent action. The
question has arisen. and the Eroeers
have decided to brook no delay.
The agitation has been started" said
W. F. Weber. land the grocers have de-
tempt at getting relief, although every
one else lays down. We do not believe
in letting the agitation die down at this
time. 1t will be the policy of the rail-
tide the agitation over by making
promises that will either be forgotten
or broken. We ss.ouId never be in
active. The railroads will endeavor to
H. +
meetings until after the sentiment dies
down and it will be forgotten.
Relief is bound to come If decisive
action is taken. The grocerymen have
number of grocerymen in the city stand
ready to act together. We have elected
a secretary and have decided to pay
him large salary to specially look
our plans well laid. Each groceryman
is safe in entering the contest with the
railroads because all the others in the
city are ready to stand by him The
secretary will have the authority to d.
rect the shipment of every particle of
freight that is brought into Topeka by
the entire list Of grocerymen OF the
city.
All other shippers who will Join in
the movement, thereby making it more
effective, will be welcomed by the gro
GERS
The Independent action of the gro
GERS Will probably prompt other large
shippers to Join in the united action IN
the shipment of freight until the roads
grant an equitable rate for charges.
If the railroads have really been con-
sidering the proposition with the inten-
ton of granting the request of the
N erchants and citizens of Topeka to
give the city better freight rates, they
can hardly have any objection to the
action of the groeers' association In es-
tablishing a transportation bureau,
simply because it will have onIv the
effect of fastening the contamination
of the new tariffs