The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-02
LIST TOO HIGH, CLAIM
Topekan Writes Sarcastic Letter to w.
H. Kemper, Price Chairman.


In a highly sarcastic letter to w H
Kemper, chairman of the county fair
price committee, r. d. Slower. 307
Quinton boulevard, suggests that KEN
per, w. o. Anderson, A. L, Oliger and
some other persons "of that stripe
organize quartette and sing, There's
one born every minute"
Slower takes a stand different from
that of previous letter writer's" and
assails the prices fixed by the commit
tee not as inflicting a great hardship
on the grocer but SO "ludicrously
/ high as to be an actual boom, so he
says, to the merchants. He cites vari-
Gus articles to support his contention.
I note you state that the retail
merchants do not make the prices and
are not responsible for their being
so high" said Slower in his letter.
THAT statement is so anime that it
needs no comment" Then he goes ON
| to tell of an Inconsistency in the
prices charged for potatoes by two
Topeka grocers."
Stover's letter follows:
Mr.. w. H. Kemper, Topeka, Kan
Dear Sir: Just a few lines anent the
wasn't really tragicaI to so many OF us.
it would be highly ludierous, and I would
be led to suggest that you submit it to the
manager of the Orpheum circuit and feel
sure it would be scream and produce
much laughter. especially among the
grocerymeR and butchers who might chance
to be present.
Eggs. which we have long since accus-
toned ourselves to do without, are substan-
TALLY decreased, but are still about 5G1o too
high. The other commodities, insofar as [
can determine are 4 trifle higher than mos
of the stores are charging at the present
time and will, of course. result in another
increase, as it's certainty they (the gro
cersl will not sell for less than your fair p
prices, even tho you state they are all fair
and square and not inclined to profiteer.
1 note the paper states that those present
10
money in their pockets.
For instance: Pickwick coffee so cents
per pound have used it all winter and
have not paid that much for it vet, but
assume it will be that price next time |
buy any. Chuck steak IS cents, and in
the adjoining column of the paper it was
advertised at 124. and 16 cents. Beans IL
cents; they have been advertised for less
than that all winter. Shredded wheat
biscuits 10 cents, little higher than cur
rent prices, and SO on and so forth thru
out the list. Meadow Gold butter 70 cents.
Fair enough; especially for Mr. Haskell
L note you state that the retail mer-
chants do not make the prices and are not
statement is SO asinine that it needs no
comment. However, 1 priced potatoes at
Senne Brothers, on West Third street last
week w ana they were 20 cents a peck for
on Kansas avenue, was selling northern
potatoes at $40 per bushel, good quality
1t would all be a joke if it wasn't SO
serious matter. however, / was nor dis
appointed when l read your fair co list as
We had had already taste of it when the
wood committee announced their fair 4 p
prices Few weeks ago. and had no reason
to expect anything different at this time !.
In conclusion. i would suggest that you
and Anderson and Oliger and others of
mat stripe organize quartette aud sing
Iheres One Born Every Minute"
Z. D. SToyER.