Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-14
THE ICB QUESTION
AGAIN DISCUSSED At A MEETING OF SALOON
KEEPERS YESTERDAY.
The Situation COmplicalsi-Ics at Six Dollars
TOn-Ths New Plant PrOjsct-4n Ofar
by Local Capitalists.

The saloon keepers are undetermined
as TO what course they will take, or
what means they will employ, to remedy
the alleged evil of high prices for ice
during the coming summer. AT meet
ing held last week 1t was determined,
in the event that the Wheeling Ice and
Storage Company would make no con-
cessions, to build and operate new and
rival plant, and a committee was ap-
pointed to solicit stock. 1t was deemed
wise, however. to exhaust all other
means before taking this important
step, and TO this end further con-
ferences were held with Secretary Con-
ner.
or the result OF these conferences, a
member OF the Committee for the sa-
loon keepers said last night to a REGIS
TER reporter: "He made proposition
to US to sell S25, 900 of stock in mis- com
pany, and to enter into written agree
ment to furnish ice to saloonists for I'VE
years. at q cost not to exceed % cents
per 100 pounds. That was afterward
withdrawn. Then we held conference
on Wednes day evening, and the Com
mittee left in good humor; under the
impression that ice would be furnished
at last years prices. Next morning we
were notified by Mr.. Conner that all
propositions made by him were with
drawn"
1t is understood that ice will be fur
nished TO the dealers at 81 per ton, and
the saloonists have been given to under
stand that they must make the best
terms possible with the dealers. The
dealers are expected TO furnish ice
at 30 cents hundred, which is an ad'
vance of but cents over last year, and
will enable them TO make profit OF 1C
cents a hundred. The salooniSts have
taken all things into consideration, and
many OF them have reached the eonclu'
sien that an advance Of cents hun.
dred should be accepted, especially In
view Of the fact that g new plant could
not be placed in operation before the
middle of July.
The situation is further complicated
by the offers Of certain local capitalists,
to equip and operate plant, provided
satisfactory arrangements can be made
with the saloon-keepers, by which they
will agree TO give their patronage to
such q company. In order to insure
this patronage, it has bee suggested
that stock be sold TO the large con-
sumers of ice.
Meanwhile. the question Of building
an Ice plant by the saloon-keepers re-
mains In statu quo. The price OF &c
cents per hundred during the summer,
is generally satisfactory, but most ol
the saloon-keepsrs cling tenaciously &c
the project TO construct plant. On
the expediency Of building this year
there is a division Of opinion, but on
the question OF the saloon-keepers ulti
metey owning their own ice plant
there is an unanimity Of sentiment. Fol
this reason no agreement will be entered
into with the present company, which
contempates an abandonment Of thC
proposed rival plant.
A representative Of the Arctic Ice
Machine Company, OF Cleveland, ha;
been in the city for some days, and has
made proposition for the equipment
OF an ice factory, with the latest i'm
proved machinery, which is generally
regarded as very reasonable. He state:
that his Company has the ice machines
ready to ship when ordered, and could
have them placed in position, and ready
for operation within 60 days. A repre-
sentative OF the Frick COMPANY is also
in the city.
The saloon keepers association met
Yesterday afternoon in Mclaughlin
Hall, and discussed the situation, but
no action Of mportance was taken.