Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-05-30

some opposition, of course, but money talks,
and the cooperative scheme moved forward
confidently. 3
The stores purchased were closed long
enough to take an nvetory of stock, and then
they opened for business, most of them with
their former owners in charge as employees of
the association. First sales were bit back
ward, but, to quote Mr.. Vrooman, 1--WE now
control practically two-thirds of all business
done in Trenton, and we will control all before
long,
TRUST IN TRENTON.
Trenton has only about 5000 people, but if
what Mr.. Vrooman says is true, then Trenton
is in the grasp of trust, cooperative, perhaps,
but none the less trust, and in position to
dictate. L. P, Meyers is general manager in
Trenton. He has had years of experience and
is keenly alive to every opportunity
The ax-handle and wood working factory
and the canning establishment at Trenton are
running full time and doing we'll, and they are
the forerunners of others to be established in
the Vrooman model village, near Kansas City,
When asked how many stores and factories he
had Mr.. Vrooman said
'We have grocery and racket store at Gal
latin, and also lease upon the opera house,
the same as at Trenton We have theatrical
company, under the direction of Walter Jeffer-
son, son of Joseph Jefferson, which gives per-
formances every week.
"These entertainments cost the members of
our association nothing. We have large
membership in St. Joseph and an Office there,
and are negotiating for several stores. We
have purchased five stores at independence,
Mo-, and also 100 acres of fine land and sixty
head of cattle-n fact, complete dairy, near
independence
"This dairy will supply independence and
Kansas City with milk, During the extreme
hot weather. we will make specially of baby
milk-that is, milk for children. Other dairies
will be bought later. We have grocery store
in Westport, which is part of Kansas City,
and, before long, will control not less than
twenty-five stores.
STARTS ON SMALL SCALE
"One of my brothers is preparing to estab.
lish cooperative saw-lnill and plants for the
packing of oysters and fruits at Appalachicola,
Fla. The cooperative movement started at
Lewiston, Maine, year ago with 500 recent
ly bought the largest department store in New
England, outside of Boston. This store has
been doing million dollars worth of business
every year and paying interest on 100000
"We have secured a charter for trust COM
pany in Kansas, of which John w. Breidenthal
will be the manager. l guess everybody out
there knows Mr. Breidenthal. The inspection
and management of the farm lands will be un-
der the direction of E. P. Cottrell, who has
national reputation as cattle and agricultural
expert.
''Mr. Cottrell formerly was in charge of Levi
P. Morton's farms in New York state. He
was called to the Kansas Agricultural College,
at Manhattan, and is known throughout the
west. His name, coupled with Mr.. Breiden-
thals, will give the trust company good stand
ing in Kansas from the beginning.
We expect to operate the trust company
according to state laws and Legitimate methods.
We will issue debentures based upon specific
mortgages, which will give absolute security to
all persons holding the company's paper. We
will lend amounts as small as $25, and our
especial aim will be to help worthy people of
small means toward the purchase of homes.
We expect to organize savings banks later,
but for the present, twenty banks have agreed
to do business through the trust company. We
have the promise of ample funds to make the
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