The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-12
THE ICE QUESTION.

There is an attempt in progress to
stir up ill-feeling over the ordinance
in relation to impure ice. An exag-
gerated report has been published con-
corning this. 1t is proper that the
public should understand the facts in
the case.
The committee to whom the city
council referred the matter, agreed
unanimously to report in favor of the
ordinance. That decision was reached
after hearing all that it's opponents
had to say on the subject. The objec-
ton TO the ordinance comes chiefly
from butchers and others who use
large quantities of ice entirely for re-
frigerating purposes. They think that
the cheap ice-which it is admitted is
unfit for drinking purposes-is all
sufficient for that which it is used for,
and that the extra expense to which
they will be put for the pure article is
altogether needless.
The purpose of the ordinance is IN
doubtedly good. It is to prevent the
sale and use of impure ice to the detri-
ment Of the public health. Scientific
yond reasonable dispute, that the dis
ease germs which Turk in impure water
are not destroyed by freezing. 1t is
the very highest temperature, not the
| lowest that deprives them of their
deadly force. Ice. then, taken from
stagnant ponds or from any impure
source, is just as fruitful of harm as
when in its fluid form. 1t is well
! known that typhoid fever and similar
diseases are traced, nearly always. to
the use of unwholesome water, which
may be limpid and pleasant to sight
and taste.
Impure ice, it is evident, ought not
TO be used for drinking purposes But
will its use in a refrigerator do any
damage? Meats when placed in such
receptacles are warmer than the ice
closet above or around them, and the
warmth arising causes a current
which brings to them the colder
air until it passes into the sub.
stance of the meats, and by thai
they are preserved. It is by that means
and by such leakages as come from the
melting ice that germs are liberated
and conveyed into the stored meats or
other edibles,
But suppose that is fanciful, as some
people would claim-for there are folks
who cannot appreciate anything that
seems intangible-there is another
reason why impure ice should not be
sold for any purpose. If that is per.
mited, how is the sale of impure ice
to be prevented for other uses in which
it would be injurious to health? Lei
the bars down and a whole troop Of
evils may come in. The ordinance is
designed for a worthy purpose, and WE
believe will receive general public sup
port.
But it is asserted that the ordinance
ice trust. It seems as though nothing
can be done in the way of a public
measure but some unworthy motive
is attributed to its promoters. There i:
no particular firm or company that will
receive exclusive benefits from the or
, dinance. It Will only operate to thu
detriment of the vendors of impure
ice, Wnlcn ouSnt not 10 De sou LOT an.
purpose that is likely to affect al
article for human consumption.
The alarm about raising the prize
is an exaggeration. No doubt the cos
of pure ice will be somewhat highe
: than the figure charged for the i'm
pure article. But there will be com
petition for the former, increased b.
the disuse of the latter, and that will
' regulate the price. In any event tn
: life and health of the people are be
, yond price, and the committee justl.
: considered the public welfare as para
t mount to the interests of a few in
(; diyiduals, whose business is to then
E the chief consideration. Pure ice is
: after all, the cheaper ice.