The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-26
CONTINUED on Page Two.)
WILL IGNORE Law
Kansas Shoe Dealers ON That
Pure Shoe Statute.
It Is Ridiculous Measure and
Does No Real Good.

Members of the Kansas Shoe Re-
tailers, association will ignore the
'.pure Shoe law which will become
effective April I, on the grounds that
it is both unconstitutional and unjust.
No official action has as yet been
taken, but the general sentiment
among the men today is that this is
the proper course to adopt.
Resolutions are being drafted today
which will undoubtedly give precisely
the stand of the association in rela-
ton to the law. These resolutions,
however. according to those who are
framing them, will not be made pubic
at least for the time being. There is
fear on the part Of many Of the deal
ers that a certain element over the
state among consumers Will insist
that the law is all right and that the
shoe dealers are trying to pull some-
thing over on them.
Working for Customers.
One shoe dealer said today: 1--WE
are working for the good OF our GUS
toners as well as ourselves. We ex-
pect to make a profit whether or not
the shoes we handle are made entire
ly of leather. We believe that the
people will not be benefited by the
law. When you stamp a shoe as not
being entirely made of pure leather
you cast q reflection on that shoe,
even if the shoe is satisfactory.
Shoes are sold by reliable dealers on
their merits, and those that are i'm
perfect are replaced"
James II. Stone Of Boston, editor of
'sThe Shoe Retailer" who was one of
the main speakers late Wednesday,
urged the shoe men to ignore the law.
He maintained that the law is uncon-
stitutional. Similar measures, he said,
were introduced in twenty-five states
and defeated in twenty-three of them.
Er1r-
constitutional by the district court, but
because the decision was rendered be-
fore the law went into effect 1t is not
certain that it will hold.
Attorney Ayres on the Law.
w. A. Ayres of Wichita, attorney for
the association, had the following to
say in respect to the law: zone pro-
vision that should have been incor-
porated in the law is that it should be
unlawful within this state for any per-
son. persons or corporation to use in
manufacturing any boot or shoe, coun-
ter, heel, insOle, OutsOle, middlesole OF
slipsole. made in whole or in part from
leather, without clearly, legibly and in
the English alanguage printing upon the
canvas lining the grade and character
OF such leather SO used in the manu-
facture Of such boot or shoe.
My understanding is that there are
not many materials that can be put
In shoe that are an improvement on
good leather. but when you take into
consideration the variety of leather
and comparatively speaking, how lit
tie is good, and the further fact that
not everyone is able to buy shoes
made Of good leather, it presents q
different situation or condition.
81 have learned from reading re-
ports that there is an unlimited range
Of leather, being all grades and kinds;
leather made from the hide of an ami
NAL which has been allowed to remain
unskinned until the carcass is almos,
decomposed: yet a shoe made from
such leather comes clearly within the
provisions Of the law, and the manu-
facturer or seller is not compelled tc
do any stamping or make any explain
alton whatever as to the grade OF
leather contained in said boot OF
Shoe
C. w. s. Campbell of Chicago. Sec
retary of the National Wholesaler
association. and Tom Hall of st. Louis
with the Hamilton Brown Shoe com
pany were among those who discussed
the law.
Wilson ON Inter-InsuF1ncc.
| The first address this afternoon was
ON "Inter-Insurance." and was deliv.
cred by R A. Wilson. manager Mer-