New-York tribune., 1895-07-19
LOW PRICES FOR ICE.
CAUSED BY THE HEAVY SUPPLY FROM
THE HUDSON.
OUTSIDE DEALERS FORCE THE OLD COMPANIES
TO CUT RArEs-wHAT OFFICIALS OF
ICE COMPANIES SAY.


ICE COMPANIES SAY.
IT'S an III wind that blows nobody any good
and the old proverb has direct bearing on the
price OF ice in this city. The ice companies are
selling ice here at rates cheaper than those that
have prevailed for six or years. and con-
sumers pronting by the low prices Moreover
there to be likelihood of any immediate
change. Although the officers of the ice COM
panies coulo not be persuaded TO talk freely OF
tho particulars OF the situation. Tribune reporter
yesterday learned something OF the causes "h'ch
have produced prevailing low prices.
At the Offices of the Knickerbocker Ice COM
pany in Caral-st.. President Robert Macla! was
not in. but another officer OF the company saiu'
The condition OF the ice business here has been
treated in the newspapers already. and maven
much to add 10 what has already been said OF the
present situation Rates are lower than they were
las, year simply because last seasons Ice harvest
enabled the companies to store great qua"''!
OF irst-class ice. some OF which was put on 'he
market low prices. the result being general
drop In rates. l find it difficult 10 give you clear
statement of Just what the reduction has been, or
even the average reduction on the general scale OF
prices Prices are affected by the matters OF de-
livery, amounts purchased and other FEATURES OF
sales For instance. there Is one price Tor Ice oe-
livered at the bridge which Is trade word mean
ing the platform at the depot where the Zee
carving vessels are docked The price OF Ice de-
uyered Is necessarily higher Then the large no.
tells saloons butchers. restaurants and other con-
sumers using ice at ton rates can buy II cheaper
than consumers to whom il is peddled by the
pound. When there is a cut in prices. the snali
consumer doe; not profit as much as might be sup
posed When the amount OF the cheapening per
ton is divide among LOT OF people each OF whom
buys only a few cents worth. the drop does not
make a very loud sound to them Our Ice ias'
year was harvested from the Hudson River. Maine
ice being used only when the Hudson crop IS IN
sinicient. ! do not care 10 say how mucn we mar
vested or how much We have stored now. Arti-
hcial ice Is 70, great factor in this market al
though there are number OF plants for making 1t
here.
THE reduction in price this year was pTec.p'ta'eu
by men who had ice-houses on the Hudson. VINO
thought they opportunity TO make fortune
and entered the market with their stocks Inc
Kn,ckerbocker Ice Company is not likely 10 enter
combination which would bind it TO an alliance
with a number Of weaker concerns.
An officer and siockholder in both tho Ridgewood
Tee company and the National Ice Company. hav-
ing Offices In the building No. IS Broadway. said:
There is no doubt that prices are low now
though that is a condition OF things improved by the
fact that low prices stimulate trade The reduction
began this spring when a lot OF outside ice-harves-
ters from the Hudson River opened depots here Tor
the sale Of their stock They began to cut rates.
and the Knickerbocker Ice Company not only dla
not combine with them to maintain better prices
but soon began to meet the reduced prices itself.
We also have been compelled 10 lower our rates
The ice market is in depressed condition but
know Of combination likely to be formed 10
control prices.
The Ridgewood and the National Ice companies
both of which deliver ice in wagons, may form a
business alliance But the two companies now
have the same president ana number of stock
holders in common. the combination is not strange
and will be made so that they lessen their ex-
penses by combining their interests.
THE capacity of the Hudson River ice-houses
averages about s.500OO0 tons. and as the consump.
tion is about 100000 tons $4,000 tons may be said
10 represent the surplus OF the season..