The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-15

systematically and to refuse TO buy
commodities which are sold at prices
indicating inflated profits Hundreds
OF women are expected to- return to
the old custom of individual market
ing. In instances where merchants
are shown to sell necessities at abnor-
to seek substitutes. They may even
direct volunteer boycotts in order TO
force down certain prices.
Governor Allen today received
letter from one Topeka mother who
told Of her bargain day experiences
stances have been reported from other
towns
The Topeka woman attended a bar
gain sale and bought a dress for her
daughter. The dress had been marked
down to a dollar. A few days later
the woman returned to the store to
buy an additional dress. She found
the same dress for IS cents. Recently
the woman sought to buy her daugh-
tiers some school dresses. Dissatisfied
with ready made dress prices. she
sought the dress goods department.
There she found goods marked down
from 50 cents to 80 cents a yard. She
was just ready TO buy when she found
price tag which clerk had over
looked. The regular price tag showed
the goods were sold at 20 cents yard.
Net Profits Large.
Net profits ranging from to %
per cent were shown in a schedule
filed today with r. J. Hopkins. attor-
ney general. by H. S. Riddle. The
overhead costs was filed after Riddle
had been called to testify in a court
of inquiry regarding profits.
After allowing for all overhead ex-
pense-rent. light. fuel. taxes. trans
portation and clerk hire-Riddle re-
ha ha he
percentage net profits: Van Camp
beans. 10; No. l tomatoes. 11h;
canned pumpkin. ~: No. 2 peas. IT u;
No. tomatoes. 81; Eagle condensed
Wheat, %; Grape Nut. II; Post
Toasties. II; Gelatine. 16; No. !
Alaska salmon. IS: syrup. IS. Nos
tomatoes were shown by Riddle to be
bought at $50 a case He allowed Is
cents a case selling expense and re-
cents profit was a net return to the
merchant of ~ per cent, his report
stated.
This is the first direct return"
said the attorney general. and indi-
Gates that conditions are even worse
than at first painted. We expect to
give every case of this character the
widest publicity. Where agreements
and combinations are shown in viq1R-
ton of law. we will prosecute"
profits received by an individual on
his own motion, relief will be sought
thru the use OF publicity IT want the
consumers to know what these fellows
are getting" said Hopkins. If they
continue 10 buy at these prices, that
is their own business
Go After News Butchers.
Even the news butchers on Kansas
passenger trains are in line for trou-
torney generals office today told of
the sale of bananas on a NJ. X. & T.
passenger train at the rate of S1-20
a dozen. The complainant asked the
reason for such prices Il have the
nerve to get it," was the news butch
er's reply.
At Winfield commission men and
retailers are under fire. One letter re-
ceived by Hopkins today stated that
truck gardeners get 8 cents a pound
for 1omatoes sold at stores The con-
sumner is charged Is cents a pound
Several truck farmers aided in smash
ing the prices by selling tomatoes to
consumers at 4 cents Another Win
field case revealed abnormal profits in
peaches over the counter peaches
are declared 10 be sold in Winfield at
25 cents a pound or Sc a bushel. It is
bought from oklahoma growers at
from rs cents to IS cents a bushel.
One Winfield man shipped in a supply
of peaches which he sold from the car
at 81 a bushel and made fair profit.
From Emporia came a complaint
fran a meek. lowly and defenseless
renter. His landlord raised his rent
81 a month. The man complained
that the property was not worth the
new price. Il know it" said the land
lord. but that is what want for it.
And the renter paid.
Stock Food Profiteerlng.
Cottonseed cake is declared by
stockmen to have jumped from sea TO
sS6 a ton is spite of Governor Aliens
fight on the southern cotton growers.
The cake is sold by nonresident
agents and the state is unable to act.
Names of retailers charging abnor-
NAL prices viii be tabulated and
turned over to local committees
Members of consumers leagues will
then direct the fight 10 boat down
prices. Topeka retail prices IRE being
tabulated by Mrs. c. J. Exams and will
be reported to the governor in a few
DAYS