The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-11
TO REDUCE PRICE
Ice Combine Weakened Yes
terday By Cutting.
OFFER WAS REFUSED
First Car Load Shipped in
Yesterday From Winfield.

The first hard drive delivered to the ice
combine was sent home yesterday when
one car load OF splendid manufactured ice
was shipped here from Winfield to ". r
Stout who is acting as agent Of the anti
combine. The ice came from Mr. J. P
Baden Although the season is backward
the ice was disposed OF within short
time. The combine made a radical con-
cession yesterday TO the large consum-
ers of ice. To the butchers, hotels and
saloons they offered a rate cheaper than
II can be shipped here, but the large
consumers are afraid 10 accept the COM
bine's terms. even though they offer to
make contract. Besides they thing it is
an injustice 10 charge private families %
per cent or 50 per cent more just because
they think they can do il. Another rea-
son, as one OF the principal anti-combine
men expressed 1t yesterday, is that al
though they maye make a contract TO the
large consumers until it is too late to build
or make contract 10 ship here, then they
may annul al contracts and raise the
price. The gentleman in question said
they did not propose to take any chances,
for although the combine had made con-
cessions that they were now unable to
meet, he was OF the opinion that when
they got their own plant that ice would
he so much cheaper that the difference
would amply compensate them for the few
months they would have to wait.
The figures offered by the combine yes
terday were: To large consumers, 20 cents
per hundred, and 10 private families 10
cents. This Is considerable Of an ad-
vance over the price Of last year. The
anti-combine are able to ship ice here
from Winfield. have it delivered. and yet
can sell it to the large consumers at .
cents and private families az the same
rate as the combine offer. that is 20 cents
per hundred. The feeling against the
combine is such that the men at the head
Of the anti-mOvement feel sure that no
one Will listen 10 their proposals. If this
determination IS adhered to il will I'M
doubtedly make ice cheaper here this sea-
son than ever before. for the simple reason
that when the ants get started they viii
materially reduce the price OF ice and the
combine VIII have TO meet their figures to
compete, with probability that they viii
them interest on the plants they now own
One OF the directors of an ice plant which
IS in the combine said yesterday that the
large advance IN price was altogether the
work. OF the officers. as the directors had
no knowledge OF IT, This statement was
repeated to several Of the antis yesterday
who, while not making any remarks, |
seemed 10 be in favor Of allowing large /
amount Of salt with the statement.
At any rate the ants do not propose TO I
cease energetic action. and it is the state /
ment Of those ahead Of the movement that .
Wichita viii have a new plant within six /
" days from the first of May. The Off .
GERS have received any number of letters +.
from out of town parties who desire 10 .
enter into partnership with the aRti-com- 1
blne. Several townsmen have made the .
proposal TO donate property between the /
tracks Of the Santa Fe and the Rock ISL /
and on which to build the new plant. All T.
they ask is that they be allowed 10 take .
ice In exchange. y Mr.. Hutchinson Of (
Ponca City wrote here a few days agO 4
saying that he would Ike to take stock in I
the new concern. There Is absolutely no (
question but what the new venture IS an (
assured fact.
The ants viii meet tomorrow night F.
when some interesting statistics will be I
given, together with some other interest
ing data More than likely the committee
who were appointed 10 investigate will .
be able 70 make their report. II IS con-
hdently expected that they viii be able
to give figures that will warrant the gem
tiement in making a contract for the new
plant Immediately.
Messrs. Stefen and Dawson went 70
Newton yesterday morning and they had .
not returned last evening. II was their
purpose TO learn just what the owners Of 4
the new plant would be able to do regard
ing lee for Wichita consumers. As
Messrs. Steffen and Dawson did not re-
turn last evening hopes are entertained
that they have succeeded better than had
been hoped for. Il IS understood on good
authority that both the Santa F'e and
Rock Island railroads have agreed 10
make the lowest rate possible If II is found
necessary 10 ship ice here. The ands Viii
meet tomorrow night in Peerless hall