The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-13
MR. ED VAIL is HERE.

Is the state Of Kansas to be compelI-
ed to buy its $1,000 silver service for the
namesake battleship from a trust?
The claim is made by some Of the
jewelers. in various parts of the state
that combine has been formed by the
manufacturers of siIyerware, and that
the manufacturers will furnish designs
and estimates to only a very limited
number Of firms. thus controlling alb
solutely the price and character of the
service to be furnished to Kansas.
One OF the prominent jewelers. in the
southern part Of the state sent to three
Kansas City jobbers with whom he does
business. and asked for designs and esti-
mates on the service Each firm sent
him the same reply-namely, they had
already arranged with one firm in his
vicinity to furnish designs, and could
not accept any further orders.
1t is useless for the ordinary merchant
to try to do business direct with the
manufacturers. They will not pay any
attention to him. There are only four or
five firms in the country which are
equipped to handle such work as the
creation Of 4 silver service for a bat
tleship, and these firms seem to be
planning to have their own way about
A few weeks ago, Governor Hoch
caused to be issued a sort of a procla-
nation asking all the jewelers. in KAN
sas to send in their bids and designs on
a silver service. It now seems that the
jewelers. VIII be unable to comply with
this request because they can't get any
designs and estimates from the manu-
facturers.
Ed Vail of Wichita. who went east
about two weeks ago with a letter from
Governor Hoch introducing him to the
stlversmiths Of New York as sort of
semt-oficia1 representative of the state.
returned from his trip today loaded
down with estimates from the eastern
markets. He is said to have secured
designs from all of the leading firms
in the country He said to a State
Journal reporter this morning:
don't care to say much about
what I secured in the way of designs,
because I expect to submit a bid on
this work. and do not want to show
my hand to my competitors. All the
little jewelers. in the state are figuring
on getting this job. I saw letters from
a number Of them to the big New
York manufacturers. Some of them
claimed to be leading jewelers. of the
state, carrying a $4,000 stock, when
as a matter of fact they haven't got
$500 worth of stuff in their stores. But
when get ready to submit my draw
ings. think that the people viii be
pleased. am not trying to make any
money on this deal, but would Ike
the honor of furnishing the service.
VI ME III the east spent IU GAYS
In New York and two days in Wash
ington. I talked to Admiral Nancy.
Admiral Chester, and Admiral Cough
Ian; also to Captains Cove, Sharp,
Nicholson and Knight. of the North
Atlantic squadron. A number of these
men were classmates of mine at An
ma polls, and I was able to ascertain
just what the naval men themselves
think about the silver service PROPOSE
ton saw all kinds and styles of
silver services.
There is one thing I want to call
to the attention of the city Of Topeka
there is a nice little vessel back there,
which I visited while in the east,
which is named the Topeka, and the
naval records show that the city OF To
peka has never presented to this boat
a single token of its appreciation.
think there is hardly another case like
this on the records of the department,
The member of the officers staff and
crew of the Topeka comment upon
this apparent neglect, and it looks to
me as though 1t was about UP to To-
peka to show that it appreciates the
honor of having warship named
after If.
Tt is probably not generally known
that Mr.. Vail was educated for the
navy at Annapolis. but that was go
years ago. when it didn't amount to
much to be a naval officer. So Mr.
Vail did not stay in the navy.