The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-10
WILL BE To Blame
Refusal of Auto Stations To
Close May Bring Order.
Few Topeka Dealers Only Ones
Who Keep Open.
REST OF STATE IS IN Line
Supply Concerns Urged To Use
Influence in Request.
War Economy Board Has Full
Power To Act.

Garages and supply stations which
have steadily refused to comply with
the closing request of the war econ
omy board will be forced to take the
blame for any drastic action which
the war economies board may see fit
to take in regard to the automobile
industry, according to a statement
this morning by W. H. lines, in his
capacity as president of the Kansas
Auto Dealers association.
lines said that in every town in the
state except Topeka the auto and
supply dealers have unanimously
fallen in line with the request of the
war economies board and are closing
their businesses promptly at 6 o'clock
on week days and all day on Sundays
and holidays.
The Kansas Auto Dealers associa
ton is very much put OUT over tie
refusal Of two Topeka concerns TO
comply with the request, and lines
says that the other dealers of the
state feel that the two "holdouts' will
be instrumental in causing the issd
ance of an order which will be eX-
tremely drastic in its effect on the
automobile. industry.
Would Stop Supply Lines.
Letters received by the president of
the State Auto Dealers association in
the last few days bring to light the
efforts of the war service board of
the National Auto Dealers association
to cause the stoppage of the supply
lines of the dealers who have refused
to comply with the request.
These letters often contain en-
! closures of copies of letters sent to
firms who have been reported as
| supplying dealers who have refused
| compliance with the war economy re-
| quest One of these enclosures, let
! ter to L. A. Kinds of the Sinclair Re-
filming company of Topeka, 'solicits
your immediate and active support" in
influencing Mr.. Daniels to close his
establishment (15OO North Tyler
street) in conformity with the balance
of the business houses in Topeka"
| War Board Has Power.
The letter refers Kinds to the wal
economy board in Washington if he
has any doubts in his mind as to the
| authority of the war economy board
to act. This reference follows:
| IF you have any doubt in youl
mind as to the authenticity of the wal
recommendations you have but to wire
the war economy board, Washington
D. c.. and ascertain for yourself
whether or not we are working in uni
son with government desires. There
is no absolute order thus far and, IL
fact the war economy board has nevel
as yet issued an absolute order.
May Issue Drastic Order.
TT is for this reason and this reason
alone, that the industry today is al
lowed the consideration that they are
and it would certainly be a serious
drawback should it become necessar,
for the economy board to issue dras
tic orders because the automobile ant
allied industry fail to comply with tn,
government suggestions"
Right in line with the attitude o
the Kansas Auto Dealers associat ton
\ lines today issued an appeal to al
J loyal automobile owners and driver
!; to see that their tanks are filled 70
evenings and Sundays and holiday
: before closing hours. and that tn
| auto owners themselves do every
thing in their power to aid the gov
!, eminent in its efforts to conserve gas
} oline and manpower by asking tina
| garages and supply stations close