The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-29
Way Marked Out for Commits
sion Men by New Law.
They Must Furnish Evidence of
Good Character.
PAY A LICENSE FEE OF $40
And Open Their Books at All
Times for Inspection.
Deviation From Rules Brings
Fine of $40 to $500.

Administration of the new law reg
ulating the affairs of commission mer-
chants in Kansas has been begun by
]. c. Mohler, secretary of the state
board of agriculture, and the first of
the new licenses are now being mailed
from the state house The law really
becomes effective July 1, although its
administration began with the publ
cation of the new session laws.
By terms of the 1915 enactment, ev-
cry commission merchant in Kansas
must pay an annual license of $40.
For the practice of frauds, receptions,
failure to account and ombination in
price making, he is subject to a fine
of from $40 20 $500. Under the law,
a commission merchant is defined as
a person, form or corporation, eX-
change or association licensed to re-
ceive, sell or offer for sale in this state
any kind of farm produce. The laws
definition of farm produce includes all
agricultural, horticultural, vegetable
and fruit products of the soil, as well
as meats, poultry, eggs, dairy products,
nuts and honey.
sword for the men who engage in the
handling of farm products. 1t is
companion piece for the anti-diScr1m-
ination law enacted several years ago
to prevent unlawful discrimination
and making of combinations in the
sale of a commodity. The new law af-
fects the making of combinations in
the buying of grain, produce and
making of sales prices. Robert Stone.
speaker of the house of representa-
tives, is the author of the new law.
Must Furnish References.
Commission men are required un-
der the law to make application. for Ii
censes on or before June 1. They
must furnish to the secretary of the
board of agriculture satisfactory evil
dence as to their character, RESPONSE
bility and good faith.
The secretary of the state board of
agriculture is given power to inquire
as to the business transactions of each
person and firm operating under the
law. An indemnity bond to insure
honest accounting and faithful and
prompt payment of accounts is re-
Quired under the new enactment. But
that is not all. Licenses may be re-
voked on showings of unsatisfied judg-
ments, failure to account, false state
ments, combinations to control prices.
fraud, or deception.
In the new law is the ironclad re-
qu:rement:
He is required to make a record of
each shipment, the name and address
of the cOnSignor, the date of receipt, |
kind and quality of the produce, the
amount of the consignment sold, the
date of sale, price received, the name !
and address of the person to whom |
sold, and make final payment to the |
consignor within 4S hours after the /
sale. unless there has been a written
Records of persons and firms oper-
ating under the law must be kept open |
for inspection. The law also places /
the burden of proof upon the commits
sion firm in case of prosecutions and |
for any violation the firms license |
may be revoked and the guilty party |
fined in a sum of from $40 to $500. |
In many respects the new anti-dis- |
law is one of the most rig |
id enactments of the 1915 legislature. |