The Anaconda standard., 1899-08-12
MISSOULA NEWS.
ALLEGES CONSPIRACY.
Mr.. Siegel's Defence in the Ice ouaran
tine Case.

Mr.. SiegePs Defence in the Ice Ouaran-
tine Case.
Missoula. Aug 1.-THE arguments in
the ice quarantine case or the city or
Missoula against Otto Siegel were heard
this morning in the police court by
Judge Landers. The city was repre-
sented by City Attorney Hughes and
J. NJ. Evans and S. &. Murray appeared
for the defendant. The arguments were
extended and some of them eloquent.
The case is one in which Mr.. Siegel is
charged with selling ice that is impure
in violation of the city ordinances 1t
will be remembered that Mr.. Siegel was
arrested last week for the continued
selling of ice after the health officer
had placed it in quarantine, according
to the contention of the city authorl-
ties. The defendant claims that no
quarantine was ever established upon
his ice and that, moreover, it has never
been proved that his ice is not strictly
pure.
The evidence that was adduced at the
hearing of the case yesterday was at
variance on this point. Two physicians
testified that it was their opinion that
the ice was not fit for use, while two
other physicians testified that in their
opinion the ice is all right and safe for
use anywhere. The attorney for the de-
fendant asked the complaining MEM
called their attention to the alleged i'm
pure condition of the ice. They replied
that the complaint had come from the
health officer. Health officer Burger
was then asked who had complained to
him of the condition of the ice. He
enumerated three or four men and it
was shown afterward that each of the
complainants is himself in the ice bust
ness and that he had complained of
the sale of the ice that Mr.. Siegel is dis
tributing to the health officer with the
request that this sale be stopped. 1t
was shown that nobody has made COM
plant except those who are rivals in
business of Mr.. Siegel and this point
has acted in favor of the defendant, as
far as public opinion is concerned.
In the arguments this morning Mr..
Evans scored severely these complain
ing dealers and set up the claim that
the case is simply a conspiracy to drive
Mr.. Siegel out of business for their own
| advantage. Mr.. Evans argument was
a strong one and his arraignment of
the health authorities was fierce. The
further contention of the defense was
that Mr.. Siegel had violated no pro-
vision of the city ordinances as there
had been no quarantine placed upon his
| ice. 1t was shown in the arguments
that the procedure for the establish
| ment of a quarantine had not been fol-
/ lowed ana Cnat, IL III was desired u
| quarantine the ice, there is a definite
method of procedure to be followed,
| The defense contended further that it
| has, never been proved that the ice
is impure and that it. has never been
| proved that any of the alleged impure
| ice has been sold for consumption in
| the city.
Judge Landers took the matter under
advisement till Saturday afternoon,
| when he will render his decision.
This morning the city attorney pre-
| pared another complaint which differs
| from the former one in that it accuses
| Mr.. Siegel of selling impure ice. Nc
| reference is made to a quarantine. Mr.
Siegel was arrested again under this
| complaint, which looks as if the city
| attorney realizes that he has made g
| mistake in the matter.
There is much local interest in this
| case and it is being freely discussed
| There are rumors of a conspiracy thai
| is farther reaching than mere combi
! nation of icemen and If the attorneys
for Mr.. Siege1 establish the facts to bt
as they are stated on the street there
will be one or two very busy men il
town for a day or two.
Mr. Siegel was arraigned this after
| noon on the second complaint which
has been made against him of selling
| impure ice. He entered plea of no
guilty and will have his hearing mex