The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-26
TRADING STAMP BUSINESS is GO.
ING RIGHT AHEAD IN THE
STATES.
Big Merchants Have Discontinued
Their Use But Small Dealers
Are Still Supplying Them.

| Trading stamp companies through
out the state are reported as doing a
fourisning business, Notwithstanding
the act of the last legislature, passed
for the express purpose Of prohibit
ing traffic along this line of business
The law aimed at the determination
of the trading stamp business provides
that any person or corporation giving
a trading stamp on sale of goods is
guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable
| to fine of not less than $40, nor more
than $500, or Imprisonment in a coun-
ty Jail for not less than six months, or
by both such fine and imprisonment
says report from Spokane.
In plain violation of the provisions
of this law, trading stamp companies
are reselling the prohibited tickets and
retail concerns in the cities or towns
Of this state, Spokane included, are
giving the stamps as premiums on
sales of merchandise.
1t is stated today that the largest
concerns in Spokane which formerly
gave out trading stamps have discon-
ued their use since the passage of the
law referred to, but may small dealers
particularly in the grocery line, are
giving stamps to their customers the
same as they did before the passage of
the law.
The reason for this fragrant disre-
gard of statute law is the belief in
the minds of the advocates of the trad
ing stamp that the law is unconstitu-
tional and will be so declared by the
courts.
H. B. Skinner manager of the West
ern Trading association of this city,
stated the case in substance as fol-
lows: There is no doubt that the
antitrading stamp law is unconstitu-
tional. 1t is framed after the Colorado
law which was recently declared I'M
constitutional by the highest court in
that state. A similar law has been
passed upon in 4S4 adjudicated cases,
and in every one of them the trading
stamp people have been successful.
Our business is perfectly legiti-
the courts, will be conducted through
out this state and the whole country,
Notwithstanding the opposition of mer-
camille associations.
1--WE have endeavored to have an
adjudication on the law in this state
by means of an injunction against it's
enforcement. The injunction was re-
fused on jurisdictional grounds, but
We are informed that there is no doubt
in the minds of the judges as to the
unconstitutionality of the law.
THE business will undoubtedly go
on; and if any association opposed to
the stamp business, deems it wise to
attempt prosecution under the Wash
The constitutional defect will be plead
ed and we can thus secure an adjudi-
cation. We are confident that the de-.
cision on a test case will be be in our
favor and hence we shall welcome any
movement toward testing the law
| The law in this state prohibiting
trading stamps was passed through
the influence of the various grocers'
associations in the state. 1t has been
stated that these associations propose
to have the law enforced to the letter.
| E. N. Cory, secretary of the Spokane
Grocers association, stated today:
Our association has not yet deter
mined as to what steps shall be taken
to enforce the anti trading stamp law,
but I believe some line of procedure
will be directed against those who vio-
late it's provisions.
There is a crying demand that the
trading stamp evil should be wiped out.
1t is one of the worst CRAFTS in the
country. Think of a business which
takes from the retailer per cent of
mis- gross receipts! There are few
small retailers who can stand this
drain upon their limited profits.
Il sometimes think that the trad
ing stamp concerns have as shrewd
men as are engaged in any line of
business in this country. They sue
coed in getting their stamps used by
influential dealers and then show
other dealers that as long as leading
retailers use the stamps all merchants
must use them. In this way they get
them distributed generally by all deal
ers.
mo retailer can stand a tax of 4
per cent upon his gross sales without
advancing the price Of his goods. The