The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-01
L. ~. penWell
Undertaken and EmbolmcP
511 Quincy St.
Both Phones 1872
STANDS BY HIS GUNS.
w. C. Austin Makes a Pointed Reply
to Geo. w. Crane.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
In last Saturdays State journal
Geo. w. Crane of Topeka makes a
talk against me for state printer. Mr..
Crane is owner of one of the largest
book concerns in Kansas. 1t is not
strange that man who cleans up
thousands of dollars every year from
the manufacture of county blank
books should fight to preserve his
enormous profits. I can not reason
ably expect the enthusiastic support
of any member of the Blank Book
trust. Although the proposition of
having the state printing plant make
the county blank books has been be-
fore the people for the past two years,
and for several months has been
brought prominently to the attention
of the people of Kansas, yet Mr.. Crane
waited until only three days before the
primary to make his attack, so there
would be the least possible opportun-
ity for reply. This is a brand of po-
litical trickery frequently resorted to
by corporations and their agents to de-
cefve the voters.
Did you ever know a member of
trust who did not deny the existence
of the trust? Is it strange that Mr..
Crane denies that there is such thing
in Kansas as a Blank Book trust? The
Harvester trust, the Beef trust, the Oil
trust, the Steel trust, all denied their
the Book trust should do the same?
Is 1t surprising that they should en-
deavor to heap abuse and ridicule
upon anyone who stands for the peo-
pies interests when it endangerS their
enormous profits?
If the legislature or the people of
Kansas want any information about
the cost of manufacture of blank
books, Mr.. Crane would have them
consult a representative of the Book
frIISf IF thew want knnW yUhafhnr
a uniform system of county records is
desirable, ask the Book trust. If they
want to know how much the counties
of Kansas pay for blank books. ask
the Book trust.
Mr.. Crane contradicts many of my
statements on the blank book question.
He says the counties of Kansas do not
spend 100000 a year for blank books.
nor half that amount. I have reports
from the county clerks of IA counties.
which spend in one year over $4,000
for blank books. At this ratio, the
los counties of the state spend $10S,-
600 in one year for blank books.
Which shall we believe, the county
Clerks or Mr.. Crane?
Mr. Crane says there will not be a
saving of $4,000 by having the county
blank books made at the state printing
plant. Here are some comparisons:
Book trusts price for
Standard deed records quire,
(640 paGes) $1,000
Standard mortgage record, quire 22.O0
Commissioners journal, quire.. 1900
Chattel mortgage record, 8 quire. .24.00
1 have written statement from the
present state printer, in which he says
these books can be made in quantities
at the state printing plant for 1895
each. He also says that the assessment
rolls, which are uniform and for which
the book trust charges $3.50 per set,
can be made at the state printing plant
for 81 per set. Many of the record
books can be made at much greater
saving. The state printers figures are
based on the same kind of work done
at the state printing plant every day.
Which will we believe, the state print
err who is now operating the plant for
the people of Kansas. or Mr.. Crane.
part of whose immense profit depends
upon p1eventing the state printing
plant from making the county blank
books. With uniform county records
the average saving on county blank
books would exceed so per cent or over
$50, 900 per year.
I have made special study of tho
cost of blank books, and I am willing
to leave It with the voters of Kansas
whether they will accept my statement
or the statements Of the man who is
personally interested in the defeat OF
this proposition regardless of the saw
irg thai it would make to the taxpay-
ers of the state.
Very respectfully,