The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-08
A BIG DAY TODAY
Visiting Merchants Are Guests
at Several Events.
Auditorium Crowded at Concert
This Afternoon.
UNITE, SPEAKERS SAY.
State Retailers Hold ROusing
Meeting at Capitol.
Plan Strong Organization for
Mutual Protection.
UNITE, SPEAKERS SAY.


May Miller, reader, were on the bill.
BY noon about 900 registrations had
been recorded at the merchants week
headquarters, which isn't bad, consid-
ering the weather. The members of
the Jobbers' and Manufacturers asso-
citation are to be congratulated upon
the manner in which the visitors are
being entertained notwithstanding the
adverse conditions with which they
have had to contend. This morning
the merchants were freely expressing
their appreciation of the success of the
efforts of their hosts to entertain them.
of course the crowd was anything
but all smiles. No one would expect
it with the prospect of not being able
to see the bird, men, but still the
good nature prevailed.
Saw Topeka.
Hundreds of merchants and their
wives thoroughly enjoyed the Seeing
Topeka" trips this morning. Only one
instance spoiled the pleasure of some
of the guests. 1t was the running off
the track of a trailer at Clay and
Huntoon streets when the car bumped
up against the curb and nearly turned
over, thereby throwing the passengers
into a panic.
Until IL O'Clock Marshalrs band
played at the merchants week head
quarters, and later at g meeting of the
retail merchants which was held in
Representative hall.
The latter was held for the purpose
of taking steps towards the formation
of a state organization of retailers for
mutual benefit and protection. Reso-
lutions were adopted which assure
such an organization which will put
Kansas in line with Oklahoma. Mis-
ri. and other states in this respect.
DoIIey Was There.
One of the speakers was ]. n. Dol
heartily endorsed the movement He
said in part: II have tied up sugar and
prunes for more than 25 years. I
haven't done much of that sort of
thing the last few years, however. as
some how or other I've become mixed
up in politics.
Il think you are undertaking a
splendid proposition in organization of
a state association of retail merchants.
think that every merchant ought to
ton.
Kansas merchants are second to
none in the United States. There are
fewer failures in the state than in any
other state in the Union,
Kansas Ranks Second
do you know that Kansas rs second
in the United states as to per capita
of wealth. One state exceeds Kansas
and that is the old state of Massachu-
sets.
we are proud OF these Things. our
forefathers buiIded a splendid founda-
ton and have left it TO us to build a
superstructure towards the heavens
No commonwealth can rise higher than
its citizenship and your duty and my
duty Is to see to it that We do not go
backward in this state-that we go on
developing.
at is for your interests to organize
in Kansas. Our men and women can
do anything that the people of any
other civilized state on earth can do"
Lawson Is Heard.
C. c. Lawson of Sedalia, No, secre-
tary of the Missouri Retail Merchants
association gave some valuable advice
in respect to the workings of an or
ganization and he told of the benefits
which can be derived from such an or
ganiZation.
the meeting and B. L. Thompson was
selected as temporary chairman.
Adopted Resolutions.
Below are resolutions adopted at the
meeting:
whereas. The retail merchants of
Kansas have been deprived of strong.
centralized retailers state association
while they have seen nearly every other
state enjoying the benefits Of organiza-
ton: and
Whereas, There are many reasons for
forming in Kansas a state association
of retailers, that would be an amalga-
nation of local associations and that
would have for its purpose the best in
terests of the retail dealers; an asso-
citation that can speak for the retail
ers on matters of state and national
legislation affecting their interests;
and
Whereas. The subjects of equitable
legislation, mutual protection against
the dead beat the advertising CRATER,
the re.ail catalog house, and the par
cells post, are vital reasons for
strong. centralized state association of
merchants.
Resolved, That this body of retailers
from every part of Kansas believes
that the time Is at hand for us TO or
ganize in a way that will make per-
manent association; and
To this end We recommend the pro-
posed work of J. E. Foster, national
organizer, and his corps of assistants
who will at once begin the work of
forming local associations in various
towns and cities of the state; and we
ask the hearty cooperation of every
Kansas retail merchant in the working
plans of Mr.. Foster and his assistants.
We further recommend that this or
ganizfng work be pushed as ex-
peditiousIy as possible and that a dele
gate convention be held at some point
in central Kansas before the meeting of
the state legislature in January, 1911
Plans Cooperation.
To carry out the plans herein set
forth we recommend that a state
organization committee of II be ap-
pointed by the chairman of this meet
ing who himself will be one of the COM
rnittee within ten days. They shall CO.
operate with the state organizer, iii
recting and assisting him in carrying
on the preliminary work of forming
local associations.
1t is further directed that this COM
rnittee shall issue the official call for &
state meeting. first securing from the
local associations organized their choice
of a time and place of meeting.
Resolved, That it is the sense of
the retail merchants of Kansas that
the arrest and prosecution of grocers
ard other handlers of berries over the
state by the state board of health on