The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-25


honesty of the retailers in general in
the past week is nothing more or less
than criminal. The average retail mer-
chant really does not make what the
union men would call a living wage
these days, and the attacks on the re-
taller is nothing more or less than
called alleged facts" Zone way of
avoiding hbeD do not deserve and
from so-caIled profiteers. A NEWS
PAPER WITHOUT ADVERTISING
will soon cease to exist.
The above is sent out broadcast to-
day by the Derby Grain company of
Topeka.
The Topeka State Journal never has
made vicious attack" on the integ-
rity or honesty of the retailers.
There has been a general investiga-
tion of food and living necessity prices
all over the United States. 1t was
started nationally in Washington. has
been taken up by each state and now
is under the supervision of the county
attorneys Nationally the probe in
cludes factories, wholesalers. jobbers.
brokers and all dealers. Within the
state of Kansas. for instance. it in
cludes wholesalers, jobbers and re-
tailers.
The retailers have not been "at-
tackled" unless they deserved it.
The news Of these investigations is
printed daily in Ths Topeka State
L. Copeland. treasurer of the Santa Fe
railway. before a meeting of the local
business men recently in which he
said that a newspaper did not have the
right TO print news Of profiteering.
even tho it is proven, this newspaper
continues and will continue to print
legitimate prof:teering news as given
out officially by state and local de-
partments on food and price investi-
cations.
Because the government and the
state have seen fit to conduct an in
vestigation and the newspapers have
seen fit to pint the process and the
results. the Derby Grain company as
certs that 1t is politics" and Grim
inal."
Such a ridiculous charge is almost
beyond comprehension. But it is the
same old cry. '"Politics' covers null
titude of sins.
The honest business man Is not
worrying about the profiteering inves-
tigation. If he cannot be found guilty
Of profiteering he knows that a probe
does not endanger his integrity or his
reputation along business lines.
AS a fitting climax the Derby Grain
company brings out that famous big
stick"-the club that is enormously
supposed to beat every newspaper into
submission. Read again what they
say:
'-Newspapers printing so-called
alleged facts-do not deserve and
should not have advertising derived
from sO-called profiteers. A newspaper
without advertising will soon cease to
exist"
So here we are-clubbed to silence
vertising!
II you notice hereafter that there
are no accounts of alleged profiteer-
ing in The State Journal, please dis
continue your subscription because
this paper has been beaten to silence
by the threats of the Derby Grain
company.
Incidentally. don't be concerned
about the future publication of prof.
teering news in The State Journal.
The columns are open to all matters
OF general concern. If the Derby
Grain company or the retailers have a
side they may state it thru The State
Journal. 1t is not necessary to use
the mail where a more secure boycott
on newspapers can be launched.
When The State Journal or any 9TH
er newspaper allows it's advertising to
dominate its policy in the collection
and distribution of news it ceases to
be newspaper deserving of the pa
tronage and trust Of the public To be
a newspaper it must print news-and