The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-15
Attorney Carver Admonishes
Merchants Against Violations.
Every Trade Coupon Given Out
Is an Offense, He Says.
MANY COMPLAINTS ARE MADE.
Evidence Being Collected for
Prosecutions, Carver Declares.
James TrOutman, Father OF
New Law, Makes Statement.

War on Topeka merchants using
trading stamps in alleged violation OF
the law was declared today by Robert (
d. Carver, county attorney. following
visit of a dozen of the most proini-
nent merchants of the city who in
sisted upon prosecution of the mer-
chants using the stamps Carver inn
medlately wrote a personal letter to
every merchant in Shawnee county re-
ported to be using the stamps
Il have today been interviewed by
a delegation of Topeka retail mer-
chants, writes Carver, ''in regard to
claimed violations of the Grading
stamp act, which was declared con-
Stltuuonal and upheld by the supreme
court on November TO- These men
INFORM me that this law is being OPEN
ly violated at this time.
Under a pending restraining order
no criminal prosecution will be in
stltuted by me now. However, every
violation of this law, is a criminal act
subject to punishment by a minimum
line of $500 and it will be my duty TO
prosecute all such violations called 10
my attention after the restraining or
der is revoked, as it soon will be.
Evidence Being Collected.
Evidence is being collected at this
time and the names of persons receiv-
ing stamps is taken. / am informed
these names will be handed to me with
firms delivering stamps upon the ex-
piration of this restraining order gt
will of course be my duty. without any
discretion in the matter whatever, to
give the complaints asked.
I'm view of the severe penalties and
many violations claimed / have con-
sidered 1T only fair to notify you at
this time of the action contemplated
so that you may protect yourselves
against this if you so desire.
da1i of ezfa cd
law was published May s. 1917, is a
| separate and distinct violation of the
law and as many names given me as
witnesses will doubtless include those
of many prominent women in this
city. friends of yours and mine pros
ecutions will be matter highly dis
tasteful to me and which I trust can
be avoided by your refraining frnFn
giving out stamps in violation of this
law and the announced decision of our
supreme court, until that decision Is
changed
Troutman in Statement.
Senator Troutman who put the anti
trading stamp measure thru the
| Legislature, in a prepared statement
| today makes even clearer the danger
prolonged violation of the law VIII
cause the Topeka merchants. He
says:
THE decision is the most exhaust
| i've in argument and comprehensive in
| scope Oh any ever Ten1ere0 DY a state
court Every one of the eight de-
fenses relied upon by the Sperry &
| Hutchinson people was considered ex-
haustively, and every one decided
| against the stamp company by the
unanimous opinion of the supreme
court.
Status of Injunction.
THE defy of the stamp company.
and the local merchants, is in very
| bad taste and reaches the verge of in
science. 1t is claimed that the in
| junction against enforcing the law Is
still in effect. If that is true, ii can
not protect the stamp company, or the
local merchants. from prosecution for
I offenses now or heretofore committed
Every delivery of stamps made
since the 26 day of May is
separate crime, punishable by a
injunction is in force. as the
stamp company contends, IL can
/ only delay criminal prosecutions, but
| cannot wipe out the offenses which
which have been committed since the
26 day of last May.
| THE petition for a re-hearfng in a
case like this is mere fOrna1ity,
and doubtless will be promptly denied
! by the court.
1t has been a matter of surprise
to me, ever since the law took effect
that prominent merchants. who have
been good, law-abiding citizens. ar
rogate to themselves the power to Sc
iect the particular law which they
will obey violate. Since the law
has been affirmed by the Unanimous
| decision of the supreme court, the de-
fiance of the stamp company, and the
I merchants handling the stamps. II
matter of amazement The stamp.
graft. with all of it's iniquitous feat
ures, will be put out Of business In
Kansas. by this law. as interpnSted by
| the supreme court"