The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-17
At Noon County Stops Distribu-
ton of Premiums Here.
Hundreds of Women With
Books Disappointed Today.
RETAIL ASSN MAKES REQUEST
Suggests That S. & II. Company
Abandon Their Crosby ParlOr.
Paxton & Paxton Decide To
Stop Their Stamp System.

Redemption of premium stamps
halted suddenly in Topeka today upon
orders from Robert D. Carver, county
attornez- Hundreds of Topeka wom-
en-. armed with premium books. saved
Tor months, maybe for years, swarmed
in Crosby Brothers store during the
Gay o receive articles for their stamps.
The Sperry & Hutchinson green
trading stamp people maintain an Of
flee on the third floor of Crosby Bro
theirs store and there the stamp books
have been redeemed in the past.
Redemption progressed merrily dur
ing the early morning hours. Sudden
" at noon, the county attorney in
formed l.. F. Wilson, Topeka repre-
sentative of the Sperry& Hutchin-
son company that business would have
to cease.
In a few minutes a sign was placed
on the counter to the effect that re-
demption of trading stamps had
ceased, temporarily. at least. Ques-
tions 10y the hundreds were in order
l. mainder of the, day.
Cne man who had his eye fastened
on chair asked if he couldn't place
a tag on it with his name attached to
insure the ultimate realization of his
stamp savings Another woman was
go.ns out OF the city and didn't know
what she could do without travelling
bas she had dreamed of whisking
thru the pullman cars during the trip.
Such instances occurred all during the
afternoon.
Retailers Demand Il Fine.
Garver's order to the Sperry &
Hutchinson people followed a meet
ing OF the Retail Merchants associa-
tion at which a communication to
Carver was prepared and signed 3y
T. rru. Noiland, the president Carver
Vas then called before the merchants
an. the communication placed in his
haius. A copy of it follows:
We ucSire, in the first place, TO express
S.,,.s.a tory service. following the decis-
ION OF the supreme court i'll the trading
stamp ta~e.
com. any aud local merchants, that they
br tvfIuittcd to redeem stamps heretofore
delivered. and that we approve of such
com Sc. permit us to say we have at all
times been emphatic in our protests
against the unwarranted defiance of the
law Hnd the courts by the stamp com
s4aouSulted In regard to such violations
we tlo not feel that it is up to us to aid
in Eru} idiug means of escape from the
in tiCl>illc ana humiiatng position in
VII h these people find themselves
h"ther or not the redemption OF
S'r,n ~ within Itself is crime. there il
." IN stake from the conclusion that it is
tlr' iHaI step in tn" consummation OF
the crime Tbs no one should be called
upon 10 pulli0te or 'oudone.
Their suggestions.
Without commNtng our association tc
Observance Of the law. we suggest:
FIltST.-That L. f. Wilson. the repre-
sentative of the Sperry x Hutchinson
company, Immediately pay the $500 fine
Imposed by Judge Dana. and affirmed by
the supreme court, together with all cost
paid under protest. with a stipulation
that its payment shall not deprive the
company of its right to have the decision
reviewed by the supreme court of the
United StnteS.
sECoND.-If a petition for a re-hearine
is filed and overruled by the supreme
court of the state. the stamp companie,
shall abandon their premium parlors il
Topeka and elsewhere. and immediately
remove all of their goods furniture ant
equirmeut from the state
TIIIHD.-That the stamp companies ant
local merchants who have been using tn,
stamps. place in your bands their writ
ten pledge that from this time on they
will not directly or indirectly violate tn,
law. or he parties to any scheme or device
to evade it, either in letter or spirit.
After compliance with these conditions
II will he our pleasure to confer with you
n You so desire. upon other features o
the controversy. In the meantime tn
evidence of past offenses will be pre-
served Tor such iutUre use as the cir
cumStanceS may warrant
Protect All Holding Books.
From those interested in the re
demption of the stamps. it was stated
that those holding premium book
would be protected. If it SHOULD
prove impossible to redeem them il
this state. the stamps are redeemab bI
in any state in the United States wher,
the Sperry K Hutchinson people main
tain offices. it was announced.
Paxton & Paxton have been usinj
the surety coupons. They have volun
teered to quit the use of the coupon
and. ceased giving them out Fridat
noon. William Green & Son hav
notified Carver that they have dis
continued the use of trading stamps
ELECT WOMAN HEAD