The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-21
Local Dealers Tell Governor
They Are Running Behind.
Deliver Coal to Topeka Con-
sumers at a Loss.
mf NEWSPAPERS BLAMED
Peppmeyer Says Agitation Has
Ruined Summer Trade.
Monaghan Blames Gas for
Present Conditions.

Kansas coal dealers painted sad and
gloomy pictures to" ~ in the coal
probe in Governor Capper's office
Topeka, Atchison, and Kansas City
dealers declared they were either los
ing money or receiving meager returns
on their investments. Just one dealer
Prank McDermid. of Hutchinson
was optimistic. He combines his coal
industry with a grocery, hardware
and general merchandise business and
for time was certain he was earning
75 cents net on each ton sold.
Cost estimates produced by To-
peka dealers showed startling condl-
tions. H. L. Peppmeyer, one of the
largest local coal dealers, declared he
was losing . to IL cents a ton on local
wagon deliveries. He retails 10000
tons a year. Peppmyer told the
governor newspaper agitation hac
caused the buying public to lose its
reason and that hundreds of innocent
and trusting families would shiver
because of state action.
Peppmeyer pressed Governor Cap
per for a statement concerning the re-
turn which coal dealers should earn.
The governor. however. evaded such
a statement further than to state hat
he felt the coal men should have fair
profit.
I'VE ought to be entitled to know
Peppmeyer. IF we are expected to
work for nothing and board ourselves
the state ought to tell us So"
Pcppmcycrs Figures
Then Peppmeyer played few
cards face up.
we are selling Cherokee lump at
S6.T5." said Peppmeyer, when our
distribution of cost shows a total of
$6.S6 a ton. We get 1925 a ton for
coal that costs US $3.50 delivered to
the consumer" ..-.. .-t..-
Southeastern Kansas coal costs
dealers So so a ton, it was stated. Pepp-
meyer offered a statement of cost
follows: Freight $1.3S; labor 80
cents, team SO GEMS; shoes and re-
pairs for horses, 9 cents; rent, 2
cents; general office expense, 40
cents. auto upkeep cents; salary, "a
cents. Then Peppmeyer proceeded
to inGict the press for ag1tating the
public mind and causing an alarming
stu tioa.
From May l to August /, our ton
expense for handling coal was 1884"
said the dealer. I'VE sold just 754
tons during that period June 81
your paper announced. 'CoaI will be
cheaper From that date to July 20
we didn't receive an order.
''As a usual thing we sell 100 tons
a day during this season. Yesterday
we sold Just One-hal- ton of coal from
our yards and didn't receive an order
Because of the condition which has
been forced people will suffer this
winter. Money can't buy coal tbs
first day the wind comes out of this
north. Now. see if l am not right
=. J. Monaghan. another large loca
dealer. added to the indictment by
Peppmyer. He said he wa, receiv-
ing a profit of just 81 cents a ton or
coal handled here. On his schedule
he charged 20 cents Il ton for unload
ing, rs cents for drayage-the new
rate which he said would be almos
Immediately effective-3O cents fol
shrinkage, IS cents overhead, $13S
freight and $3.50 cost at mines.
Gas Situation Blamed.
Dealers have been under a seriou.
handicap here since 1906 because o.
the gas situation" said Monaghan
They didn't know how much coal t
buy and all of us have been compelled
to pocket heavy losses. Now the pub
lie is being educated not to buy and 6
grave situation will be confronted
when cold weather comes and no Goa
is available at any price"
J. f. Spohn. another local dealer
said Topeka coal men looked to Pepp
meyer to set the price. They followed
suit. One year. Spohn. said he fol
Continued ~ rage TwoI