The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-20
THE ICE SUPPLY.

No Reason to Fear an lee Famine
Causes or the Apparent Stint In Sup
ply-Thc Companies Making Money.
During the past three or four weeks which have
marked the continuance of the warm season Of tie
summer OF 1872 there have been grave fears OF
scarcity OF the supply Of ice, and many persons
have feared q recurrence OF the famous and in
famous 'ce faminen OF 1870 Inquiries made
yesterday at the Offices of the Knckerbocker
Ice Company show that the present apparent
scarcity OF ice in this city H in fact not attributa
BILE In any degree to the deficiency Of the ice har-
vest OF last winter but rather to the difficulty OF
getting the Ice properly handled this summer so as to
bring 1t TO the consumers doors. The first and most
Immediate cause OF the apparent stint was heavy
fog In the river that prevented the tow OF barges
due here early In the week from arriving here until
twenty -four hours after time. The second reason
assigned was that hands have been difficult
TO obtain since the 4th OF July. Men who are
usually procurable at current wages for handling
have been seduced by the larger and more easily
earned harvest wages, so that 1t has been almost
impossible to find men willing to go up to the ice
'depots or to keep them there after being sent.
During and since the
SEASON OF scANT SUPPLY
before alluded to, the regular hands have been
forced to work twenty out OF twentyfOur hours for
several consecutive days, and arc now almost COM
pleteiy used up The third reason was said to be
the impossbiity to keep any supply hand In this
detention has been almost used up in consequence
Of the intense heat. The experience OF pre-
vious years had led them to expect very fiuc-
tuating demand, The greatest demand never
exceeding the average of this year, and many days
FALLING far short OF 1t. The longcontinued heated
term has completely reversed this calculation.
From the day that the trade became brisk the only
change noticed has been one Of increase, and In
utmost and never given them an opportunity TO
increase their stock on hand as TO anticipate the
market Hence it may be expected that as long as
the heated term continues the supply Will ne Scant,
though nevera famine.
Much complaint has been heard among house.
holders concerning the increased charge by the ice
ten pounds per day. Few families require more
was furnished by the companies up to three weeks
since at a weekly payment Of flty cents In New
per week to FAMILIES Shortly alter the advent Moi Of
the present intensely warm weather, however, the
lce companies In Brooklyn increased their rates
from fifty cents to seventy cents per week
for families for the. ten pounds per diem
supply, and then there arose feeling OF
that the Ice trade was comparative monopoly.
and that the two leading ice companies were, in
fact, but one corporation, varying only in a
change in tho names of a few OF the directors. In
brief It was concluded that the Washington and
Knickerbocker Ice Companies, presumably two
great rival corporations, were, in fact one great
concern. Two years ago, when the great 'ice
famine" prevailed, loud remonstrances were
AND 70 ew ny
but in the winter all their good resolves were for
gotten, and the .monopies' still continue. In
fact, it Is alleged that the consumers Ice compa
MES" have been merged into the Old money making
corporations. AT present, however no actual Ice
famine need be apprenended the only trouble ia be-
panies the chance to make a corner" on Ice, and
they do IT, AS most other money-maSing con-
Germs would do If so favorable an opportunity pre-
scented ITSELF