The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-09
KANSAS GRAIN MEN
Secretary e. j. smiIey's Address an
Interesting Feature.

Kansas city, June 9.-The seventh
annual convention of the Kansas
Grain Dealers association closed last
evening with the election of officers.
Luther Cortelyou was elected presi7
dent for the fourth time by acclama-
ton. He accepted the position with
a short speech. These other officers
were elected by a unanimous vote:
Vice president H. Work, Ellsworth,
Kas.: secretary, E. J. Smiley, Topeka.
The following directors were elected;
Perry N. Allin, Coffeyville; E. N.
Bailey. Baileyville; o. I. Rogers,
Secretary f. J. smiley's annual ad-
dress. referring to relations OF the
miIlers and grain dealers, said;
1--WE take the position that the
legitimate country elevator is pubnc
necessity and is here to stay. We IN
sist that the elevator owned and oper-
ated by a grain dealer is as much
public necessity as the grocery, dry
goods store or any other leglumate
business. It is true that spirit OF
antagonism has been engenderd in
different parts of the state between
the miller and the grain dealer, when
in many instances has resulted IN Sc
riOus loss to the miller ana the ere
IN some sections feeling has been
worked up to such a pitch that these
opposing factions have waged war
against one another with the result
that both the miller and the elevator
owner have been losers.
II am of the opinion that in a few
instances the miller can prove TINS
charge but think they are exceptions
and as they will notify me as their
secretary, giving the names of such
concerns that make a practice of this,
we certainly think we are entitled to
notify the members OF the m1llerS
clubs of this state, and we are further
of the opinion that it would only be
a short time until these elevator own
ers would realize that they were the
losers by reSOrting to such dishonest
tactics We insist that the interests of
the millers and the elevator men are
so interviewer and 1nterdependent
that any injury or loss sustained by
either one of these interests is shared
to a greater or less extent, by both
We insist, gentlemen. that this is 4
question of vital importance to the
grain trade and one that should re-
ceive careful attention, and l have
confidence enough in the integrity and
the ability of the members of our as
ISOLATION to bring about a closer rela-
ton between the grain dealer and the
miller that will result in practical
benefit to BOTH
Mr.. Smiley said that the member
ship was now 272s representing 1852
stations. He congratulated the asso-
citation on the few complaints as to
terminal weights. He also told of the
incomplete terminal facilities in East
St. Louis, there beng practically no
effort there to prevent shortages.
Mr.. Smiley complained of the pub
! licity given to crop reports before the
report reaches the members. He ad-
vocated that the members do all in
their power to give insurance to the
mutual companies in preference to
| the old line companies, which have
steadily advanced rates.
L. s. Epperson, representing the
! elevator underwriters exchange, was
called upon and explained that under
/ all plans of fire insurance the insured
must pay the losses; the premium
money is the fund out of which the
| losses are paid.
1--WE have retained and added to
the mutual plans points of economy.
When you cease to be a policy holder
/ in a mutual plan you leave your
money there Under our plan you do
not. The general opinion is that the
rates on elevators are in excess O.
what they ought to be-
I George A. Wells, secretary of the
Iowa Grainmen's association, chair
man of the advisory committee of the
National Grain Dealers asso ton,
spoke Interestingly on SHORTAGES"
The grain dealers will all go to st.
Louis this morning on a worlds fair
| trip as a finale of their convention.
For their use the Wabash will run
a solid special train, leaving here at
9 a. m, and reaching there at 4
| O'Clock, landing them at the world s
| fair gates. A Wabash special agent
he could do handling the ticket sales.
About 800 grain men, their wives and
daughters, will go.