New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18
ICE MEN HANGING ON.
THEY SHOW NO SIGNS OF COMING
DOWN IN PRICE.
NO ASSURANCE THAT THE RATE WILL NOT BE
MISUNDERSTANDING FROM
NORWAY SUGGESTED.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM
NORWAY SUGGESTED.
The ice barons do not appear to have made any
oDen advance during the last week or two. but
they are holding on with bulldog tenacity to the
ground already gained
The Tribune told recently Of the dilemma in
which the Charities Commissioners were placed
by the exorbltant demands OF the ice monopolists
Last year the price paid was 81 20 ton; this year
the bids were: Montauk Ice Company, 81; KnicH-
erbocker Ice Company. 81 30; Hygienic Ice Com
pany Sc The Commissioners were In tight
place Ice they must have at any price, 10 pre-
serve their stores. and the Ice monopoiists knew
this will The Commissioners were forced to yield
and had to contract with the Montauk Company
ut the rate Of S. ton for 800 tons that being the
estimated years supply. Speaking OF this state
of effairs. Commissioner Henry said Friday
afternoon
I'VE had no choice In the matter. as we must
have Ice. otherwise we might lose more in
week than the whole difference would amount TO-
We require It almost entirely for preserving pur-
poses Yes; a cooling plant would be goou
thing but who could foresee such an advance as
this Is? I understand the companies have called
halt and will not demand any more from the
butchers than - cents a hundred
II wonder some one does not import Ice from
Norway. 1t can be got there four feet In thicK-
ness; a ship could be chartered by cable on the
other side and the cargo brought here in COM
parativey short time. 1t has been done before, as
I have myself seen few years ago"
F. Metzger is a butcher at No. "a Myrtle-ave
When asked about the prices Of ice he said:
at Is awful; they are charging us % cents
hundred pounds. l dealt with the Montauk Com
pany when it started, ten years ago. and
have beeen a constant customer ever since
thought would have some influence on that ac-
count, and went to the office. Nothing could
say had the least effect on the people there Then
I went to the works Of the Artificial Ice Company
in Douglas ST, and offered 20 cents hundred
pounds. but could not get It at that price Last
year could get the same Ice for II cents-yes
for 10 cents a hundred pounds.
II think the butchers ought to put Few
thousand dollars together and start an Ice rae
tory of their own; and think they Will lhat
would be the way to bring these fellows Gown
DO I make 'em weigh It? YOU bet do, and on
my own scales at that. People who nave their
ice weighed on the icemen's scales are likely 10
get left pretty badly but do not take that way
Of doing business. No; there was no guarantee
that the price would not be advanced 10 more
than % cents hundred pounds
The monopolists will find ii hard to MAINTAIN
the 1O-centsa day rate in the tenement districts
end in some places the icemen are supplying
families for 30 cents week the same as III
previous years. -.
II. however. as stated recently. the Ice trust
| can maintain its schedule OF 20 cents week 1t
will mean death in many poor families before the
summer wanes. 49, A.,
| The price to the saloonkeepers is still the
| same-30 cents a hundred pounds. ana they
| think themselves lucky II 1t stays there.
Pending the erection Of ice plants IT would not
| be a bad idea II these people would charter
| couple OF vessels and bring over some Ice There
| are plenty of idle ships. and freights were never
| 50 low Ships could be had almost for their run
| ring expenses The waste would be slight, almost
| iurpe, ccrtibie " the ice was properly packed
| II is said that the authorities at the state
| ASYLUM for the Insane, formerly st. Johnland
| prepared for the emergency and held over 900
| tons of last years crop.