Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-28
ICE COMPANIES WAR.
believed THAT WARMER WEA-
THEIR WILL SOLVE SITUATION.
OPINIONS FRON BOTH SIDES.
The Mutual People say They Have
pcen Understood In All Dircctiohs-
This Is strenuousiy Denied Ny '"e
Opposition.
Opposition.

The situation between the ice com
panies remains unchanged. Both sides
appear to be equally determined ana
from present indications it would seem
that the cut will remain in force ioi
some considerable time TO gladden. the
heart OF the housekeeper and cheer the
wilted souls through the approaching
dog-days Appearances are not uhiie-
quently deceptive, however. ana gem
tleman who Is prominently Identified win
ono of the companies said to a Dispatch
reporter yesterday that the sensation -
merely an advertisement, for the sales
Of ice during this cool spell are really
very little compared with the usual sum-
mer trade. once let old So sho" nm
self in real earnest, said he, and the
prices on ice viii 80 up with the mer-
curry.
FORCED TO MAKE THE CUT.
Mr. A. d. Landerkin, of the Mutual
Ice Delivery Company said yesterday
that they had not been the ones TO bf.hs
about the present situation. IRE Mu
final he said. had been compelled 10 GU
prices for their own protection. nv
consumers company had undersolu
them I'm every direction he aul'u,
making cuts of - "a cent below the"
prices i'm order to get trade. y noIap's
instance Of this sort OF thing Is AT '"'
custom house. where ABOUT t"eh'S
five tons OF ice are used IN the coui'
~ the wear. The Mutual has been sup
plying the ice at p cents per huhuIcu'
but the Consumers cut to - II GEMS
1--WE are making no contracts, coht,'-
ned Mr.. Landerkin, nor we hoi tH-7
sort of thing will not last Velt iOils'
as the present prices do NOT co nv
cost Of the naked ice. The dissatisIac-
ton EXPRESSED at our delivery System l.'''
wear viii never be heard OF again. ou
will remember the unprecedentedly not
smell I'm April or course, II was uii-
expected by ourselves, as wen as Dy
every one else. and all our draushl-
horses were out at pasture. Noi'Se
ouentIv. our supply system was not as
satisfactory as it was later III the sea-
son. or as it is this year.
POSITION or THE CONSUMERS.
4 stakeholder of the Consumers Ice
COMPANY. who was present at the meet
ing OF the corporation held Wednesday
last. said: eve deny having made any
cut I'm ice. Both cuts were made by the
Mutual company. we believe, with the
purpose of driving us out of the business
with the object Of regainlng for them
selves the monopoly OF the ice busl-
ness that they had the year before last
The cut has not injured our business
because the great inconvenience OF lack
Of competition is fresh in the minds OF
the people. Our company had It's origin
I'm the arbitrary system Of delivery used
by the Mutual combine. They, having
control of the Richmond trade. could nix
the prices at whatever figure they chose,
and deliver ice to their customers at any
hour that suited their convenience. SeNe-
raj large consumers OF ice In this city
being aggrieved by such an arbitrary
system. formed for their own protection
and that Of their friends the rival COM
pany. which has forced the combine TO
consult the convenience Of the consul
mer, rather than their own. The Mu-
tual Will not injure us by their cut, for
the people want to see both companies
i'm the field They know that ii is the
only way that they can get reasonable
and proper prices"