The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-05
SAYS, DON'T QUIT
Secretary Mason BOIsters Up
Topeka Grocers' Association.
1t Is on the Verge Of DissOIu-
tIOn.
ALL PULL TOGETHER.
Urges Topeka Grocery Hen to
Stand by Organization.
Members Vote to Stay by the
Ship.
LII PULL TOGETHER.

Fred Mason, national secretary Of the
Retail Grocers' association, addressed
about 40 representatives from the To-
pelxa Retail Grocers' association last
night in the Commercial club rooms.
Mr.. Mason spoke along the lines of
Organization"
Mr.. Mason organized the Retail Gro
GERS association here three years ago
and contributed materially to a better
ing of conditions in a local way for the
grocery trade in this city. The local
organization has had something of a
vicarious career since that date and it
has been question of late whether the
organization would lapse a natural
death or be revived into new activity.
With an endeaVor to bring about the
latter Mr.. Mason was brought to To-
peka to offer some suggestions which
might have bracing effect upon the or
gantzatiOn. He started out by stating
that cooperation and organization are
the two main instruments in the sue
cess of the retail merchant Education
from the standpoint of educating. the
customer into a strict credit method,
cooperation as between grocer and
grocer.
of trade" said Mr. Mason, than the
grocer. You may smile but it still new
ertheless the truth. He has educated
you into thinking that 10 cents for a
shine is not too much to pay and you
sheer is a, better educator than the gro
Ger. You have been educated into pay
ing his price and you don't run from
one hOrseshCer to another to Sc If you
can't secure cheaper price. Not ev-
cry one can start into the trade OF
horseshOer. You have to first serve an
apprenticeship. The same way with a
doctor or a lawyer. In either case you
have to become educated for your pro-
fession and you can't begin your prac-
tice until you have first been admitted
to the bar or secured a license. You
can't rent an empty room and without
any further preparation put out your
single as lawyer or doctor.
"You don't kick either at the fee
which the doctor or lawyer exacts, you
don't go to some other doctor or law
yer in the hope of securing, the same
talent and ability for a cheaper price
But what's to hinder me from starting
up into the grocery business without a
previous bit of knowledge of the bust
ness? Nothing whatever. 1t will run
along a course until my money becomes
exhausted, you know the end But
have hurt the other mans business, i
have cut rate and educated the Gus
toner in securing goods below living
prices
f.When the pioneer came to Kansas
he was without property or personal
possessions Of value. He didn't secure his
credit from the banker in order to
carry him through until he could re-
alize upon his crops. Nor did the rail-
road come to him with money to pay
for his seed for his first planting The
former told him when he came to him
for credit that he would be glad to aid
him when the land had become i'm
proved and the cRedit be secured by a
mortgage. The latter was willing to
ship his crops at a reasonable freight
rate and would be glad to extend his
lines when the conditions would war
rant it. The man to extend credit ev-
cry time was the merchant The Te-
tail merchant educated the pioneer into
the idea that he stood ready
to back him and that too with
out security or interest And that sort
of education has been kept up ever
since. What we need is to educate the
people that we have a pay day and
that accounts must be met on that day
When that is done the trouble viii
solve itself. It is probably not your
fault that such a state of credit ex-
lists. it has become in a way birth
right which has been handed down to
you, but you can help start the begin
ming of new things"
Ar. Mason took a rap incidentally at