The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-09-01
UP TO CONSUMERS
GROCERS WARN AGAINST EN-
TRENELY HEAVY BUYING IN
CASE OF A STRIKE.

Whether certain lines of groceries
in Madison would be early depleted,
in case the impending railway strike
should be of more than a few days
duration, would depend almost Who'll
ly on consumers, in the opinion of
most local grocers. Dealers in pro-
visions said tod : that being unable
to gauge the length of the threaten
ed tie-up, and as there is a POSSIBLE
ity that the railway mems differ
ences will yet be settled without in
stituting an embargo, it is impossible
to anticipate the extent to which
stocks should be fortified to properly
cope with the situation.
On one point the grocers are pref
ty generally agreed. The dealers be-
lieve that if the consumers of the
city become frightened, and buy ex-
tensively for future use, great holes,
which could not readily be filled up,
would be apparent i'm the stocks of
food stuffs before the middle of next
week. Dealers generally do not see
any immediate cause for alarm, and
they advise against erratic purchas-
ing in case the strike goes into eff
feet. or most necessary table neces-
stiles there is practically a never
ending supply, they point out.
AT least one grocer has already
declined TO sell sugar i'm extremely
large lots until after the result of
the strike order is known.
H. j. Munro. grocer, said today
tH,V hs~ eAar, s~ rx.nnIsoI fD~ 4vL,
weeks seige, and that if the worst
comes, he will haul groceries by
motor truck from nearby jobbing
centers.
ID. McKinnon, of ID. Mckinnon q
company, explained that he had on
nand a large supply of sugar. but
that a strike of than a weeks
duration would find canned goods
and other lines in his grocery de-
partment running low. Mr.. McKin-
non did not think there is danger Of
genuine hunger on account of de-
pleted grocery stocks.
AT the John A. Johnson store it
was said that owing to the doubt eX-
listing as TO whether there would be
a strike. no effort had been made to
assemble an unusually large supply
of edibles. 1t is not thought that
shortage would make its appearance
there under about ten days.
1t was the opinion Of w, b. Soule
that if customers do not become eX-
cited and endeavor to lay in supplies
for a month or so i'm advance, he
would be able TO supply all staples
for about two weeks. Mr.. Soule
pointed out that it would be useless
to attempt to lay in a large supply
of fresh fruit, which would, with the
best of care, spoil within a few days.
Shipments of groceries, which he
believes would keep his store stocked
for a couple of weeks. are expected
today and tomorrow by Earle Kelley.
Mr.. Kelley said that he had on hand
a fairly large supply of most staples.
James Slack said that under ordi-
nary conditions he believed most
lines handled by him would hold out
for about two weeks. Mr.. Slack told
that much might depend on the
light in which his customers viewed
the strike.
Shipments of canned goods and
other groceries. which should KEEP
his stock from running low in the
early stages Of a strike, were received
today by Frank Willard.
At the store of A. j. Murray &
company il was said that the length
of time groceries in greatest demand
would hold out there would be prob
lematieal.
Butchers give assurance that the
community will be amply supplied
with fresh and cured meats regard
less Of the length of the strike.
Not only have the meat dealers
laid in good sized stocks, but they
are prepared TO bring meat from
packing houses in motors. or. if nee
essary, butcher live stock. of which
there is an abundance here.