The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-11
Concern Tried To Tell Retailer
What To Charge.
That Is Sworn Testimony Given
to r. j. Hopkins.
FACES A JAIL SENTENCE?
Head of Business Will Have To
Serve if Convicted.
Tea Company Manager One of
States Chief Witnesses.

Late this afternoon the attorney
generals office directed the issuance
OF state complaints against the Bea-
trice Creamery company of Topeka
and arrest of c. H. Haskell, manager.
on charges of violation of the state
anti-monopoly law. Four counts are
listed in the complaint which was sent
to the Shawnee county district court
Complaints were issued today fol-
lowing an inquisition Saturday when
witnesses told r. ]. Hopkins attorney
general, and Maurice McNeili, an as
sistant, that the big Topeka creamery
company stifled competition in butter
thru dictation of profits by retailers.
G. H. Haskell. manager OF the cream
cry company. is to be personally pros
ecuted by the state. Under the anti
monopoly law a minimum penalty of
thirty days in Jail and 800 fine is pro-
vided. The maximum is six months
Jail sentence and $1,000 fine. The
law is not optional as to fine or i'm
prisonment. but provides for both.
Testimony OF State.
The case against the creamery com
pany and its manager will be based on
the story of George B. Mckenzie of
the Grand Union Tea company. Nc
kenzie is said to nave told the attor-.
ney general that he sold Meadow Gold
butter at margin of 2 cents on all
days except Saturday when he made
a profit of l cent a pound. Several
meat markets are said to have also
sold for cent prifits except on Satur-
days when they often sold for cost
Testimony gathered by the attorney
general is said TO show Rabe Broth
~
advised that they must increase their
profits to cents a pound. IL is stated
that they complied with the order of
the company
Mckenzie told the attorney general
that a driver for the company told
him he must sell for cents profit
Retailers in resident districts COM
planned Of the close selling profit. IL
was stated. But Mckenzie continued
to sell at the old figures.
Then Mckenzie was suddenly unable
to secure butter. He placed several
orders. But no butter came. Then
he called Haskell on the telephone
only to he advised that there was a
butter shortage.
Made Personal Call.
Later Mckenzie called on Haskell
personally. II was then, he said, that
the creamery head told him the CONF
pany felt it should firse supply retail
ers who were making a 3 cent profit.
He is reported to have told Mckenzie
that he should get a higher price. That
was the first week in July. Since
that interview Mckenzie told the at
torney general he had sold for a 3 cent
margin and had secured all the butter
his trade required.
The complaint today is the first
move by the state in the high cost OF
living campaign. It is also the first
prosecution in the present drive under
the antimonopoly act. The complaint
charges the company with illegally in
creasing prices. fixing prices to re-
strict competition. fixing prices to
consumers thru retailers. fixing mar
gins and profits and operations in re-
straint of trade and to restrict and
prevent competition thru the forming
of monopoly. One complaint is di-
rected against the creamery company.
while Haskell will be prosecuted per-
sonally.