The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-12
North Side NeUs

A survey of business conditions on
the North side for the last month
shows that up to the present time the
war has not affected the volume OF
business to a noticeable degree Trade
compares favorably with that of pre-
yious years. But merchants agree
unanimously that while the buying ~
almost as brisk as ever, the profits
are nOticeably less.
This is true in foodstuffs, in drugs,
in dry goods, and is particularly true
it is said, in the sale of tobacco. one
prominent grocer asserted that the
retailer does not dare to advance the
price of eatables in the same proper
ton as the wholesale price mas ad-
yanced He has advanced his price
but not sufficiently to compensate Tor
the additional cost to him.
In drugs this is even more marked
ly the case. The materials in a pre-
scription often have tripled and quad
rubbed in value. But if the druggist
attempted to make a proportional ao-
vance. people would not buy prescrip-
lions. In the case of tobacco, cigars
that formerly brought $34 thousand
wholesale, often are selling Tor $5S
wholesale now. Dealers break even
on cigars today; they make very httle
on them.
The classes whose salary limits are
comparatively low, are making their
old clothes last longer than they once
did The demand for staples when
one would suppose essential. has IN
MANY classes of goods fallen off, and
in other classes, embracing certain
comparative luxuries, business is fine
apparently remarked mer.
chant, "if someone wants a. piece Oh
muslin and pair OF SILK STOCKINGS,
and can afford to buy only the one or
the other, the purchaser will get the
stockings.
The banking business in North To-
peka is and for several years has been
in an extremely flourishing state. The
increased prosperity of the kaw val
lev farmers is largely responsible for
that. The price of money has not
gone up but on the contrary is lower.
The higher prices go, the more money
it takes to buy commodities, ana the
cheaper money is, the bankers ex-
plain.
Rut profits are undoubtedly narrow
err than before. AS a prominent busi-
ness man said, ct have all the business
1 can handle in my establishment But
1 am only trading dollars. The
profits are mighty slim. L can't ad.
vance prices to meet increased cost OF
materials, and higher overhead eX-
penSe-"
Merchants are convinced that the
war prices will teach economy and
an elimination of waste in American
families. American people do not buy
with Judgment, they believe. and have
a lot to learn about getting the best
results from the money they spend
Social and Personal
Mrs. w E. Cowdry has returned
from Dodge City where she spent
two weeks vacation.
A NJ. Petro went to Kansas City to-
day for a business visit of several days
The Ideal Embroidery club meets
this afternoon with Mrs. David
Gabriel at her home, I'LL North Kan
sas avenue.
Phil Billiard will leave Friday for
San Diego, Calf, where he will be-
come an instructor at the army avia-
ton school. His areoplane is being re-
paired and may be shipped to the
coast later.
Mrs. Victor Peterson of Kilmcr was
in Topeka today
William Boast is spending the week
in Elmont.
Joe Takemire of Elmont was in
town this morning on business.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. p Elmore will
motor to Winchester Friday.
A NJ Petro, the Druggist-Adv.
The J. D. Pratt and Fred Morns
families, while motoring thru western
Kansas on their way to Colorado, had
a streak of bad luck with their cars
Two miles from a small town the
Morns car went dead. The Morns fam
lly changed to the Pratt car and
were driven to town. Then Mr. Pratt
end Mr.. Morns returned in Pratt's car
to haul in the machine that had STALL
ed. Before they had gone far the
car also died sudden death. The
upshot of the matter was that both
cars had to be towed to town
Miss Jessie Miller and a company
of five entertainers from Topeka will
give an evenings entertainment at
Bethel chapel near Elmont next Sat
urday evening. Refreshments will be
served after the entertainment.