Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-24
THE ICE MAGNATES
Appear Before Magistrate Ze'-
Ter Of New York,
Who Announces That There viii Be
No Trihing in the Case.
Taking Of Evidence Commences, As to Status
Of American Ice Co.

hearing on the charges against ChaS
W. Morse and his associates in the
American Ice Co. which was postpon-
ed, Monday afternoon. with Walter
Howard. the complainant, on the stand
was resumed in the jefferson Market
police court. day.
Robert \. Scott. the secretary of the
company. who was ordered to produce
the minute books Of the complny in
court today. was present, as was
Charles w Morse. the president. John
y. Schoonmaker. vice president Chas
A. Winch. superintendent, and Edwin
Campbell a clerk. who figured as one
of the incOEporators.
Delaney Nicoll and John n Lind
say appeared for Morse. and VIM T.
Rand. Jr.. as attorney FIR the Amcri-
can Ice co. r. +. Einstcin and CIar-
cnce j. Shearn appeared for the com
planants. The examination was re-
Sumed in the private examining room
which was crowded.
In reply to a question of the court
Mr.. NicolI named those present and
was asked why those Of the defendant
officers and directors were not in court
in answer to the summons issued. Mr.
Nicoll said that all who had been
served with summonscs We're in court
and Mr. Rand explained that three or
his clients. who were directors. had
not Vet been served
Magistrate Zcller stated that the de-
PENDANTS were in reality prisoners. and
We're merely ny courtesy at large in
Mr.. NicolrS custody. The lawyer said
he realized that and that others were
absent by agreement, as it was not
thought their presence " luld be neces-
sary.
Magistrate Zellor said: Il propose to
have this case conducted i'll Il regular
manner. 1t should not be different in
this than in any other case ana if
these defendants are not all in court at
| the next hearing ] Will issue warrants
for their Immediate arrest"
Mr.. Nicoll explained that this would
not be necessary rs the absent De-
PENDANTS We're within gall.
Walter A. Howard Of the New York
Journal, was the first witness called.
i4e was examined by Nh Nicou and
asked if he wished tn amend in any
way his affidavit that the offense com
mitted and complained Of was commit
ted in the year 1894 Mr NicelI con
tended that the time and place set
forth in the complaint were too inGef-
mite, thus making the complaint null
and void. Mr. Howard said he did not
wish to amend the complaint. as the
company was violating the laws dur
ing that time in this city and had con-
tinuously violated them since. and WIS
doing 50 now. He contended that the
company violated the law by forming
commission that restricted trade in
certain commodity, and thereby en-
abled them to demand higher price
Mr.. Shearn asked Howard where he
got his Information as to the number
of city docks controlled by the ice
company. He stated he got it from the
dock board through a representative
of the New York Journal. A list Of
these piers was offered in evidence.
but Mr.. Nicoul objected. Mr.. Nicoll
asserted that the American Ice co.
leased no docks or docking privileges
from the city The Consolidated and
knickerbocker Ice Cos. he said. leased
five docks and these five were CONTROL
ed by the American Ice Go. All others
occupied We're either owned outright
by the company or leased from private
individuals The list was finally ad-
mitted.
Secretary Scott said he had been secre-
tary of the American Ice Go. since July.
1879. ana that prior to that he HAD been
treasurer of the Knickerbocker Ice co.
Of Maine. and still held that position. AS
well as being secretary of the same com
I,l I III.
the Knickcrbocker Ice co. tic said It's
present office is in Augusta. Me. and it
has no office in this city. He said that
meetings Of the directors Of the company
had been held in this city during the
past IS months.
Mr.. Scott said he was not an officer DC
the Consolidated and did not know who
its officers were. He admitted that Clar-
ence "A. Height Of Portland, Me, was the
secretary and that John X. Bennett WAS
it streasurer. Its office was in Portland
he said. and the company had branch
offices al 133 East I'd street. this city.
Mr.. Scott was then questioned as to the
directors of the knickerbocker Ice Go. of
Maine. He said he knew part of them,
and named John r. Bennett. J. ". Scott.
Edwin Campbell and T.. j. Reilly. He
added that there We're II directors.
Mr.. Scott said the books Of the Con-
solid1ted Go. were not in New York, but
in the office in Portland. He told Mr..
Shearn that the last meeting Of the di-
rectors of the Knickerb0cker Co. had
been held in New York about six weeks
ago. About two months ago 4 meeting
was held in Augusta which he attended.
but he could not recall who was present
at that time. nor who the president Of
the company was.
How many directors Of the Knicker-
booker Ice Co are employees of the Amer
lean ice coz" asked Mr. Shearn.
Three or four" Scott replied.
He then named F. ]. Reilly as a clerk.
C. j. Gautlett as assistant cashier Gilbert
Benedict as clerk and John r. Bennett
as cashier.
been served with a subpoena to bring the
stock list Of the American Ice Go. into
court and he said he had ana that it was
in another room in the building.
"Will YOU produce it, asked Mr..
Shearn, and the witness rose to comply
when the magistrate suggested an .ad
iournment. Mr.. Shearn asked to have
the stock list brought into court but Mr..
NicolI objected. He added. however. that
the stock list would be produced at an
other hearing and the court adjourned
until Friday afternoon.