The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-30
Wholesalers Send Notes OF
Warming to Retailers.
L. r. Paxton Points Out Rea-
sons for Higher Prices Here.
PRINTING MATERIAL SKY HIGH
American Paper Mills Only Fill
2 Per Cent Foreign Orders.
Dressing Tables Without Mir
rOrs, Says J. c. Emahizer.

Ultimate increase in practically ali
lines to consumers was predicted this
morning by T. r. Paxton of Paxton &
Paxton. Mr.. Paxton considers his
firm very fortunate in anticipating the
present conditions and preparing for
them to a great extent.
Every day. said Mr.. Paxton, I'VE
receive cards from WHOLESALERS with
drawing prices and notifying US that
we must pay whatever price is
charged on the day of shipment. This
| is not only true in the dry goods line
| but in hardware and other lines. Take
! overalls for example. There il one
line we sell for dollar a pair that is
costing us at this time s14 a dozen"
| Differ at PeIletier's.
| Apparently a diversity of opinion
| exists regarding market conditions be-
tween A P. McKown, manager of Pei
| letters and F. NJ. Pelletier himself.
In an interview this morning Mr.. Pei
letter declared that not an article in
! the store had increased in price and,
| in fact there probably would be no in
crease.
It look on the present alleged con-
ditiens attempts of jobbers to un-
was in Excelsior Springs the other day
and a jobber told me that he had done
the biggest business in years this
spring Country stores are loading
themselves down and next year the
| iobbers will find themselves without
MANY orders Then will be the time
when 1 will come in and get goods at
nv prices. No, sir, there will be no
| increase. True, we get cards from
wholesalers notifying us of the condi-
/ ton of the market but we are doing
the buying, they're not Nor has our
| buying beer exceptionally heavy"
! On the other hand, A. P. McKown
admitted today that despite his firms
! anticipatory action of present cond1-
| tions in purchasing large quantities of
merchandise even now it had been
found necessary to demand higher
prices for some goods Corsets and
dyestuffs are among the goods that
Pelletier's have found they could not
sell at old prices, Mr.. McKown stated
Protect Against Loss.
However" said Mr.. McKown, I'VE
do not wish it understood that a gen
eral increase is in force at this time.
We anticipated the present conditions
of the markets and as many other
merchants have done purchased
anywhere from SO to 100 per
stead of a small per cent as in past
years No matter how we try to avoid
hoisting prices to consumers some
thing must be done eventually to pro-
tect us against loss. We may sell
competitive lines at a loss for time
but this cannot continue"
From PeIetier's Ad.
Mr.. Pelletier announced in a signifi-
cant advertisement in the State Jour
nal yesterday, quoting from news
item in this paper a few days since,
about the scarcity of linens and pend
ir,or odx
while their store had plenty of linens.
and at the old prices this was to be
said:
However there's no use denying
the fact that linens are scarce and
that prices are advancing. We're go
ing to sell what we have at the old
prices-and then what costs US more
will cost you more. Wise indeed are
those who buy liberal quantities now"
Clothing situation Serious.
P w. vanderhoff of the Palace
Clothing company stated that an i'm
mediate rise on some goods would be
next to inevitable. However, anticipa-
tory buying far as possible may
keep prices down to normal during
the summer season and perhaps dur
ing the fall but an ultimate increase
cannot be averted, Mr.. Nanderhoff
believes.
More Paper Trouble.
That American paper mills are sup
plying only 3 per cent of the tonnage
desired by Europe, was a statement
made today noon by S. J. Hodgins of
the Central Topeka Paper company in
talk before employing printers at
Pelletier's tea ROOM Mr.. Hodgins re-
turned Saturday from a meeting of
western paper jobbers, where the Sc
, rious paper situation was discussed
from every angle.
This means" said Mr.. Hodgins,
that in order to supply their home
trade, American paper manufactur-
ers are turning down SO per cent of
their foreign tonnage. Large consum-
ers of print paper realized the serious
condition existing. the possibility of
still further increases in prices and
have ordered enough printing done to
last them for a year or more. After
the printers supply this demand, it is
probable the tenseneSs of the local
situation may be relieved to some ex-
: tent but it will not indicate a de-
crease in price of paper, because the
, manufacturers will find it necessary to
: fill the European orders.
Mr.. Hodgins read a card received
by all Jobbers from various mills
! which they are laboring. 1t reads:
Until further notice, orders will be
acce pied only with the conditions that
, they are to be filled at our prices pre-
, vailing at the time they are ready for
; shipment Orders accepted subject to
conditions beyond our control and our
. ability to obtain raw material"
Beginning april l, all employing