National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-07-24
ICE.
Troubles Of the Compauies-How Supply
Has Been Kept on Hand.

ITCCDles OF the COupdu1es-ucW d ouYPiy
Has Been Kept on Hand.
When the citizens were enjoying the past
broken winter and congratulating themselves
on its mildRess, some, more thoughtful than
others, suggested that its effects would proba-
bly, he felt the following summer should that
be ordinarily warm and the heat contiRae for
any length of time. The collectors of ice on
the northern waters at that time also thought
it wise to announce to the public that, hot
withetandinS the mild winser and the uncer-
taipty of securing any ice during that season,
there was an abundance already housed to sup
ply any demand that might be made upon it,
40 matter how heavy, AT the same time hope
had not vslished that they would secure, ere
the spring opened, the usual amount Of ice
that was stored annually. The wholesale men
and collectors had experienced similar weather
before aud were not alarmed as to the result.
The cold snaps came and the Eastern rivers
were coated with their transparent, glossy
surface. 1t continued to thicken and harden,
but before it reached that state of consistency
regarded as requisite for cutting, moderation
would set in, the air become warm and in a
short time the ice fields be transformed into
lakes and running streams. This state of
months, and when March had nearly passed
and the forlorn hope of gathering the regular
winters ice was abandoned, then inquiries
multiplied as to
THE CONDITION OF THE MARKET
and what would be the elect of this failure on
the summer supply. 1t was found upon in
yestigation that little ice had been gathered
| in the last year except for home consumption
| in the State of Maine, and even that cut on
| the Penobscot and Kennebec rivers was not of
| the irmness and thickness for which the ice
| coming from this locality has secured so wide
a reputation and taken the call in the market.
The worriment in the public mind at that time
was, however, satisfied with the announcement
that notwithstanding the smallness of the
quantity housed, still there was enough and
more than enough ready to put on the market,
and supply all orders come from what source
and no matter how frequently given; that
in housing the winter ice of 1874 there had
been such an immense surplus stored, andYas
It'll on hand, that if they had failed to secure
pound in the winter of 1875 there would be
more than aufficiency to meet the demands
of the localities to which this ice is transported
and used. These statements had the effect OF
pac1ying even the most incredulOus, and it
was regarded as 4 matter of congratulation
that there would he an abundance of this lux
promises came to proving failure In the past
week prob ibiy few of the residents of this CON-
munity are aware. What has been the trouble
experienced by the companies in preserving
their shoIt stock, and issuing in quantities
TO MELT THE WANTS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS,
and, at the same time, allow no waste, few
but the officers and employees of these cor
pOratiOns possess any adequate knowledge.
Fer more than three weeks every consecutive
day he has m he
tics, and some days DOrdercd on the century,
which in one or two instances it went beyond.
During that time many persons were pros
trated by the heat and met their death; others
were Frustrated on bed of sickness, while
the aged and infrm and helpless babes have
also fallen before its powerful oppression.
There seemed no relief from the swelterng
weather, and day alter day the list of victims
continued TO lenS hen, until the result be-
came horrifying, and the cry was when will
this heated term eXpend its strength and a
more acceptable temperature come upon the
city In the last three days there has been a
most beneficial change and the nights are so
cool and pleasant as to invite early and
lengthy SAUNDERS, for which weary and eX-
hausted man returns thanks to the bestower
of all good. While this hot weather hung
over the city the demand for ice increased
every hour, and although the COMPANIES had
stock on hand, still with their large force of
men they failed to keep up with the call made
upon them, and, as a consequence, men and
teams were going night and day, and both
were oyerworked. Then, too, this heavy
draught soon became apparent at the houses.
Down, down settled the immense cakes of
transparent GOODNESS, until not one was left in
the large buildings,
Schooners ladened with this now precious
freight were on the way to this port, but back.
ward winds impeded their progress, and it be-
came evident that unless some other means of
nht -
be suffering for this great luxury Plans were
devised and then destroyed. But the threat
ening drought in the market finally made a
hasty action imperative. The railroad was
utilized, and day after day from Baltimore
and Philadelphia were several car loads of ice
transported to this city ior the different COM
panies through an arrangement perfected with
the corporations of those places.
The Great Falls Company,
at the time of the Inauguration of the heated
term, anticipated that it would be of lengthy
duration, and epdeavored to carry out their
promise TO the public that their stock should
not become exhausted during the summer
months. With this view they transmitted
orders Eat to have shipped double the usual
quantity aud in such manner that The vessels
should arrive here at regular intervals. By
this means they hoped to meet the wants of
their customers, and rot Ial with their ice at
a time when it was so much needed. But
even these precautions failed to work out the
desired end. The vessels laden with their
stock met reverse winds, and their passage
was checked. While they were battling the
waves, struggling tc reach their destined har-
Dor, the stock here was fast becoming e.
hausted, and the prospect for ice grew darker.
That it must be procured there was no deny
ing, but how was the question. This interrog-
atoIy was quickly and satisfactorily settled.
An officer of TIE company proceeded 70 rhia-
delptia and there succeeded in ch%rtering the
steamer Berks, of the Reading Steam Collier
Works of that city, and she was Immediately
started for Boston, Mass. She made good
time, and last Wednesday left there with COO
tons of ice for the Great Falls Company of this
city. This is the first instance, on this river
of steamer being engaged for service of this
kind. But 80 pressing was the demand and
great the emergency that the company were
willing 10 use any propelling power that would
get the ice to the District.
Saturday she was expected, and the stock
was exceedingly short on that day, but they
managed to work through, still the boat did
not appear. There was anxious looks in
many countenances as they continued to fail
in sighting her Saturday night, but early yes.
terday morning they were banished she
came up the Potomac al, made fast to the
Sixth-street wharf, loaded with her precious
cargo. The enterprise of the company in
striving to serve the public and succeeding on
such important occasions as this cannot be
too highly commented upon. 1t not only shows
that home corporations are worthy of support,
but that they appreciate more deeply the
wants of their felloW-ciIizens, and will make
every effort to deserve their respect and pa
trouage. There is now between this city and
Fortress Monroe, Va, some fifteen vessels
loaded with ice, aud which will arrive here
during the present week.
The Kennebec Company,
in supplying its trade, have also been put to