The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-31
TRUST LAID BARE.
More Evidence of Tyrannical
Methods Brought Out.
Topeka Dealers Tell Their Ex-
perience Today.
MIR. GRIGGS. ON STAND.
Tells How Attempt Was Made
to Regulate" Him.
LeaVenWOrth Man Who Lost the
Trust Agency.


at II o'clock today. Further testi-
mony will be taken by the state later
on stated Attorney General Jackson
who is jubilant over the character OF
the testimony thus far secured. 1--WE
nave got some very strong testimony
said Mr.. Jackson. The remark was
accompanied with an expansive smile
FIVE different Topeka implement deal
ers were examined this morning in
Guiding the majority of the prominent
| dealers, J. A. Lukens. ]. H. = FOUGHT
Z. W. Griggs, c. H. Phelps and +. S
! Warner.
THESE men were examined previous
| ~ by Attorney General Jackson in the
| Shawnee district court. An attempt
was made by the state to have the
| evidence of record of that hearing be-
come part of the proceedings of the
present hearing but Earl Evans, ap-
| pearing for the International Har-
vester company refused with the ex-
ception of the testimony of c. H.
Phelps.
In the main the testimony was
Identical with that of year ago the
only exception being that of P. H.
Griggs who stated that a Mr.. Griffith,
''blockman" for this territory, had
| called on Griggs and told him that
the company would put in effect a uni
form price on all machines to the
dealers for this territory. That the
selling price and buying price would
all be the same in this particular
territory. "He said there must be
no cutting" concluded Griggs. Both
FOUGHT and Griggs testimony aided to
strengthen the states side. The wit
nesses who will testify for the Inter
national Harvester company will be
suhpoenaed later.
Numerous objections were raised by
Evans but in each instance Henry
Ganse. the special master overruIed the
objection. ct don't see that it makes
any difference to object" complained
Evans good naturally.
The most important testimony was Of
fered by P. w. Griggs who told of the
exclusive contract feature OF the Inter
national Harvester company The I'M
plement Dealers association. according
to Griggs. interviewed and secured per-
NIT from the International Harvester
company, allowing the sale of independ-
ent machines already in stock.
Griggs stated that he had sold the
Buckeye, Walter A. Wood, Osborne
Champion and Acme machines.
In 1903 the Osborne company made
new contract but later rerated or
changed it.
Griggs stated that he was advised by
E L. Reese that the company had ia
ken over the Osborne machine but that
they would like to continue the agency
with Griggs.
..They agreed we could handle any
thing we wanted to-" said Griggs.
Later I was informed over the phone
bv Mr. Reese that the contract would
be held up if we did not discontinue the
sale of the Wood machine. I told him
we wouldn't. Then he came up later
with a gentleman from Chicago. They
came up together and the matter was
adjusted so we could handle the Osborne
in 1905 and also sell the Wood machines
we had on hand. We were to sell out
what we had on hand, about machines.
Griggs stated that he complained of
the action of the trust in threatening
to take away the Osborne agency ge-
cause he would not give up the sale of
the Woods machines to the secretary
of the Implement Dealers association
That the latter took the matter up with
the company and that as a result the
agreement and understanding arrived
at in the above took place.
With reference to the Champion ma
chine he stated that he was refused a
contract for 1906 unless he would throw
out Walter E. Wood or other machines.
He refused to sign an exclusive con-
tract. He stated that an increase was
made in the cost of the Champion ma
chimes to the dealers but that the in
dependent machines were sold a little
what was the cause of the increase?''
ssIt was understood that everybody
would have to help pay for the freight
from Chicago. We had been buying
machines at Kansas City +. o. b.
els that a fact?" ..-...
YES sir" answered Griggs.
Griggs mentioned casually that he had
attended a meeting of the implement
dealers in Kansas City. in January
1903, at which Cyrus H. Mccormick, |
Tr had made an address. Attorney |
General Jackson Immediately became |
Interested. 81 have been trying to find |
A man who knew something about the |
speech" said he. Griggs, however,
stated he cid not remember the speech |
but knew that it touched the matter of
prices.
'aWen. what was the substance of the
II didn't think there was much SUBJ
stance to them" remarked Griggs amid |
laughter
Mr.. FOUGHT on the Stand.
J. H. FOUGHT of North Topeka, an
implement dealer in business, he stat
ne stated that he had handled the
Standard and Minnie machines. He
had relinquished the agency of the
Minnie machine in 1903.
rs there any reason for giving up
he agency?" was asked of FOUGHT
oy Attorney General Jackson.
Yes, sir. I was informed that the
Harvester company had
purchased an interest in the company
1y an agent
"You gave up the Minnie machine
hen because you did not want to
handle the International Harvester
company machinery"
Yes, sir. gave it up then.
never handled the International Har-
7ester company machines" was the
answer.
Later FOUGHT stated that one of the
main reason for his not continuing
he Salo 0f fho Minnie YnarhfneS wa9A