The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-20
IT is A BIC GOUGE
Cement Combinations Work
HOldup on Kansas Counties.
That Is Charge Made Today by
". c. Markham.
PUT on MIDDLEMAN'S TAX
Middlemen Never See Material
1t Is Asserted.
Extra Charge Amounts to as
Much as $500 a Mile.

The state highway commission is
out after the cement combinations
and agreements. Kansas counties are
being forced to pay tribute to the CO.
ment interests for riIddlemen's profits
when the middlemen never see the
building material. This tribute was
estimated by w. c. Markham. secre-
tary Of the commission at $500 to
$500 a mile in a discussion of the
road building situation.
In spite of the fact that counties
building concrete roads are buying
direct from the manufacturers. they
are forced to pay ten cents a sack
extra for all material This middle
mans profit is supposed to go to the
local retailer who never sees the ce-
ment except as he might ride over
the finish road.
Another trouble Just now is the flat
basis freight charge. AS a result of
this charge counties which buy from
local cement companies are charged
a freight rate even though the cement
is never loaded on a railroad car.
Figure Long Hauls.
In wyandotte county Markham de-
clared the charge is added for cement
brought from the Bonner Springs
plant in the county. The Bonner
Springs plant is declared to have fig
ured freight charges from lola in its
estimate OF expense.
These conditions are imposing a
heavy burden on the counties of the
state" Markham declared, and in
the matters OF middleme1s profits
alone cost the counties from $500
TO 81 500 extra for each mile of con-
crete road built. This profit amounts
to ten cents q sack or forty cents a
barrel Yet the local dealer has moth
ing 10 do with the sale or delivery OF
the cement
Freight charges are also added
Il, -,
right at home. The cement men JUS
tify this action by a statment that II
equalizes the cost. In Wyandotte
county cement from the Bonner
Springs plant is sold with the lola
freight rate added"
These alleged practices OF gougfne
the public are to be laid before Judge
s. NJ. Hawkes.. assistant attorney gen.
eral who is investigating charges thai
the cement makers are In a combina-
tion in restraint Of trade. Antitrust
inquisitions We're held in Topeka this
week. The hearings will be continued
next week.
Call for Assistance.
Judge Hawkes. to-day called upon
C'-ancellor Strong of the state univer-
60 and President Jardine of tbs
g. Agricultural college for a corps
% -ar'neers 10 assist the state in the
-tigat'on of cement making, cost
reduction, selling methods and
IS. A number of accountants and
-ors are also to be used in check
~ the books and records of com
- dc'n~ business in this state, i
'H- asserted.
''.aence brought out by Judge
T-~v-'-es ut the herring this week II
81 n have disclosed that Kansas
H''-rnuri and parts of Iowa. Illinoi!
and Nebraska are divided into threC
f-cd territories with a single towT
cc-t-ollinr the price for the entire
district. A map illustrating the divi
sion of territory IL said to have beer
produced nv Henry McCrew. presiden
OF the Bonner Portland Cement com
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y-.t.S~I sHAt q It'd az n~r+s IN ndv~nrt
81 49, Vo'a n~i~A Nd NV thH Ron
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v-e1 p tfa a-i~ TO- rr'@n e'rip~ IN
r.o++o' ~---In--~d N@s-- ~'---Il~- ~ ~
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su--~~ h~~. - oso-;o-