New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07
TO FIGHT THE ICE TRUST
RETAIL BUTCHERS IN THIS CITY AND
BROOKLYN WILL RETALIATE.
THEY PROPOSE EITHER TO MANUFA crURE THEIR
OWN ICE OR TO IMPORT TT
FROM RUFFAIO

FROM BUFFALO
The exactions which the Ice corporations propose
to make during the coming summer are likely in
one quarter. at least to forcible and organ
lied opposition For more than a week the butchers
OF this city and Brooklyn who are members OF the
NewYork State Retail Butchers Protective Associa-
ton have been formulating and considering schemes
to counteract the policy resolved upon by the ice
barons. At the present moment the retail butchers.
who take on average OF two tons of ice each
week. paying 20 cents per hundred pounds.
but they have been notified that after June they
will be required to pay 30 cents with likelihood
that from July to September the price will be in
creased to 40 cents 1t Is asserted that Of the
butchers who have held contracts with icemen can
obtain renewals. for the simple that the lat
ter are uncertain to what heights the prices may
soar as the summer advances. 1t is apparent that,
as the retail butchers of NewYork and Brooklyn
something like 10000 tons of ice in the course Of
week. the threatened advance In the tariff In
wolves serious menace to the meat dealers. and the
possibility arises that the butchers will be compelled
to raise the price of their meat.
AT meeting OF the State Butchers Association,
which has just been held in the Grocers Hall. West
Fffty-seventh-st the members thoroughly demon
strated their earnestness resist the demands OF
the Ice combine Two plans presented to the
meeting for consideration The first of these ad-
vocated the Transmission of ice from Buffalo direct
to this city at IA cents hundred pounds, while the
other proposition advised the association to raise
the capital necessary to put in operation the refrig-
Grating plant Of the old Consumers Ice Company.
No definite action will be taken. however either
proposal until the next meeting Of the association.
which is scheduled to take place in the same hall on
Monday. May 49, 1t Is possible that meeting may
be called for Monday next in order that the matter
may be discussed without delay.
The president of the association is Wiliara G.
Wagner, of No. 573 First-ave When seen by
Tribune reporter yesterday. he said THE ice trust
haep std - cify and ic
consequently no reason why We should submit to
the extravagant prices that will be demanded from
us. In Buffalo the butchers pay only IA cents
hundred pounds and the supply Is unlimited You
may remember that the companies In that city at
tempted TO form a combine last year but the local
butchers defeated the trust They found source
of supply at "A cents and this year they have made
contracts at the same price and IN this way have
effeetIally punished the companies In most OF
hundred, and II is quite feasible for the butchers
% s @ sna sr9Ehn s So they rs C
paying. The idea that has been put forward that
we shoaa b @ What our Of action @
decide upon cannot be predicted until after the
that we cam make our own ice at sbou
cents and by retailing ii at 10 cents there will be
an ample margin left for fair profit and working
l. Bloch, the brother and partner of Arthur Bloch,
ton. replying to an inquiry said: Il am In position
to know that the feeling Of the members OF the
action being taken against the Ice combina tior.
Either of the plans that have been laid before III.
members can be easily carried out The plant OF
the Consumers Ice Company az third st and
East River is for sale or lease. and 1t Is in every
respect complete and in excellent condition. Very
little preliminary outlay would be required TO
start II in operation. and " necessary its capacity
could be enlarged We wish 1t to be understood that
we have no desire TO enter into competition with
the ice companies in the public sale OF ice. and we
are not anxious to devote money To investments
OF this kind. but the conduct of the trus makes II
imperative that We should protect ourselves.
A Tribune reporter called upon several butchers
in Fulton and Washington markets yesterday.
and the consensus of opinion obtained was that
unless something were done in the way of fighting
the companies the prices Of ice would in the near
future be greatly increased. Each one Of the butch
ers seen expressed his determination TO resist
the advanced charges. and willingness, IL the
necessity to support the proposals to either
import ice from Buffalo or to manufacture SUFFICIENT
ice TO meet their own requirements