The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-23
Desperate Fight VIII BE Made
Against Business Extinction by
the Big Combination.
WHAT LOCAL DEALERS SAY
RIG OFFERS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR
GOOD STANDS IN THIS CITY.
Rumored that the Trust offered Sl2,-
600 n Year for stand i'm New Clay
p0oI-The Plan Followed.

indianapolis retail tobacco dealers and
jobbers are deeply concerned about the un-
mistakable intrusion of the United Stores
Cigar Company into this city. The evidence
of the hand of the corporation has been
conclusive to retailers and a meeting will
probably be held this week to organize for
defense.
The tobacco dealers know what this In
trusion means. The general public is not
so certain in its knowledge. The United
Stores Cigar Company is Incorporated In
New Jersey for 100000 and made its debut
I'm New York some time ago. The company,
according to long discussion of IL in the
New York Evening Post, is another ten
tacle of the tobacco octopus. Its policy Is
TO enter the retail business. The policy
disclosed in New York is 10 acquire the
most profitable retail stores, whether they
are willing to be acquired or not. IL re-
tail store declines trust terms it is para
lelled," according to railroad illustrative
terms, and forced either out OF business or
into capitulation.
In Indianapolis the evidence OF the ap-
pearance of the United Company is found
first in a reported offer for the New Clay
pool cigar stand. for which it is said $1,000
a year was offered; second, in its reported
offer of $500 a month for the cigar stand
business of Harry A. Walker, ON Washing
ton street, near Illinois; third, In offers that
other downtown cigar dealers have received
for their places. The New Claypool lease
! has been made with Louis @. Deschler, Who
has taEee cigar stores downtown and who
formerly owned the Bates House privilege.
What he paid for the New Claypool privi-
lege is not known. Mr.. Deschler was out
of the city last night and could not be
asked If he had received any offers for his
stores, as rumor said he had
TO FIGHT THE TRUST.
The retailers here have no organization.
but one is likely to come quickly under the
circumstances. In Chicago. where the
| United Stores Company is making night
| for control of the retail trade, an organi-
cation has been formed. a defense fund
provided, evidence collected to test the
character of the company In court, and
warfare has resulted on trust-made goods.
In New York and several Western cities
| organizations have been formed In some
the dealers have prepared TO throw out
trust-made goods and push the trade OF
| local manufacturers.
c. w. Kriel, one of the largest local deal
ers, who has four places. says he has
heard of the United Stores Company being
| here 81 understand" said Mr.. Kriel, that
the United Stores Company made strong
| effort to get the New Claypool privilege
/ have heard of the purpose OF the COM
| pany to get a foothold here and have
watched the course of events in Chicago
with much interest. as many other dealers
have done. because we do not know what
minute we may need all the information
we can get. So far as / know no meeting
has been arranged, but II would not be sur
prising II one were.
q. F. Meyer, of c. r. Meyer & Bro.
saws he has heard reports OF the effort;
of the United Company 10 get a foothold
but no offer has been made for his business
Another dealer who did not want hi:
name used, said he had received an Offer
and did not doubt that II was made in tho
| interest of the United Company.
Samuel d. Pierson, another large dealer
said he had been in communication wltf
the secretary of the Chicago organization
retailers before the appearances of th'
United Company was made more positive
Mr. Pierson said he had talked with SOM
of the local dealers about organizing ano ~
believed that an organization would result
He said there was no doubt OF the enor
of the United Company 10 eventually con
gressions in New York. Chicago and else
S I'm Chicago" said Mr.. Pierson." the re
: tailers are organized effectively. They ar
I standing pat while a warfare Is going o.
: between the United Company and the dc
partment stores. The Chicago retailers
!. | who are members of the organization. hav
, | thrown out trust goods and have invite
: ali independent factories TO enter the Chl
n cago field. They are also pushing good
nnaue NJ P,srson said ne had heard OF IN
:. offer of $500 a month TO Harry A. Wake
and also that local oealer nad onete
sll 900 for the New Claypool prNheee an
II Harry a. Walker said he had had no one
l. NJ S90D a month for his cigar business. n
+ did not attempt TO explain the repor'
n about It.
= THE CIGAR TRUST.
n The United Stores Cigar Company is
N New Jersey corporation. with 100000 cal
D. ital According to the New York Evenin
y post. IL began operations by securing is'
sues lated retail stores where there was e,
m pectation of great proft. Its first steps d
n not awaken alarm amongst retailers uni
n IL suddenly began TO acquire numero'
Te other stores and 10 adopt tactics which q
d ,rdividual dealer was unable 10 defes
a. The retailers of the East. where oper
- tions have been more aggressive, say IL
- but a new piece of machinery for the
This trust is composed of four comp
nies namely. the American Tobacco Cor
pany, capital s70.oo.oco. which eontrS
nd cigars and cigarettes; the Continental Cor
O. many: capital SloGooo.ooo. plug. me cut a.
n smoking tobaccos: the American Gig
Company. capital sl0oo.oe domes
cigars; the Havana Tobacco Compst
Havana cignrs: the United stores Gig
Company. S3Oo.oo0. retail trade The cal
cb tai OF these is controlled by the conso
he dated Tobacco Company. OF which James
ne D,,ke is president The Consoiidateu
aSS tno~n as the tobacco trust" IL contf'
- 4 tho Havana trade. ~ l