The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-29
.KEOKUk IS READY
If STRIKE COMES
Jobbins Houses, Meat Packers and
Fuel Men Say That They Be-
lieve City viii Not Lack
Supplies.
USE AUTOS AND BOATS

Territory Would DO Localized, But the
Jobbers Would be Able to Take
Care Of Considerable
Territory.
Keokuk is going to be prepared In
case a railroad strike comes, so far
as groceries, meat and fuel are con-
cerned at least. This was learned
this morning, by inquiries at various
wholesale houses In the city in the
different lines. While all of the local
people questioned take the view that
the strike may never come, or that
If 1t does it will not last long, there
is still the fact that the city must
prepare for eventualities. With boat
lines and q territory within reach of
auto trucks producing fresh fruits,
vegetables and garden truck of all
sorts, Keoknk is in pretty good shape
in case Of short tie-up. OF course
long strike is not being considered
by anyone in the city.
The local grocery houses are even
prepared to send their travelling men
out next Monday on boats and by
automobile truck 'if the strike
comes" One of the wholesalers said
this morning that he hardly thought
the strike would materialize. ''But
we always have the lesson of the
European war" he said. I'VE thought
it could never happen. but it did, SO
we are preparing"
Carry Heavier Stocks.
The wholesale grocery houses of
stocks than usual at this time Of year,
In the staple lines at least. There
are some commodities that 1t is Am
possible to get because of the ad
vance in prices. it is said. but for the
necessities OF 'ije all of the whole
salers are shape to stan,l long
period of idleness in freight lines.
None Of the local wholesalers are
carrying as heavy stock of flour as
usual because of the advance in price
in this commodity. Little danger of
a famine in this. however, exists
locally.
In case Of rail tie-up there would
be a localization of the market, the
wholesale grocery men believe. That
is the territory for a distance of
something like Is to 100 miles would
be served by Keokuk. Ottumwa would
have It's circle; Burlington would
have its territory. Chicago could not
send its men so far away as to enter
this territory, hence the local jobbing
houses would be. the ones to serve a
territory which perhaps heretofore
has been invaded by Chicago and
other dealers.
Use Auto Trucks.
Practically every big jobbing
house has or can secure auto trucks
another jobber said this morning.
With these, and the boats we can
cover quite a distance, and make
quite a local territory. With the
bridge across the Mississippi and
over the Des Moines, we can get into
Illinois and Missouri territory that
we have been in the habit of serv-
ing. We will be able to get out
through our Iowa territory easily.
too. can not see how anything but
an unusually prolonged strike will
hurt us in any way"
Two OF the jobbers practically ad-
mitted that the grocery men had an.
ticipated possible tie-up and were
prepared to meet any normal de-
mands. They said that they were
going to be in shape to take care
OF this very important part Of affairs
in case trouble comes.
Asked about the possibilities for
the fresh produce, local grocer said
that as long as there were autos
people could go out into the country
Immediately around Keokuk and pur-
chase enough green vegetables, pota-
toes, melons and fruits to last
week And could go again when this
was consumed, he added.
Can Get Meat.
The meat question is another one
which need bring little concern 10
Keokuk, it is felt. Fresh meat might
be the only thing affected. The local
butchers would have the edge on the
packing houses in this case, and many
of the local butchers do their own
killing, anyway. Smoked meat is
being brought in in extra quantities,
just in case of trouble, 1t was stated
at one Of the local packing house
Offices today.
Fresh meat will be our only prob
lem" this packer said 1--WE are lay
ing in plenty of smoked meats so that
we will not have any worry on this
score. We will have plenty Of this
sort on hand in case of trouble. If
the strike comes and we are tied up
on our freight shipments, we still can
60 out into the country and purchase
animals and have them slaughtered"
No Fuel Famine.
1t is not expected. either. that there
will be any trouble in getting fuel.
Coal is not put in for the most part
before the tenth of September. one of
the local coal men said People don't
want more than one load by that time
as a general rule, he said. After the
middle of Septern Der comes the busy