New-York tribune., 1900-05-22
ICE SECRETARY "MELTED. "
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE FROM
MAGISTRATE ZELLERS COURT.
HIS EVAPORATION" MAYBE SAVED HIM
FROM COMMITMENT FOR CON-
TEMPT-SAYS HE'LL PRO
DUCE BOOKS To-
MORROW.
MORROW.

TEMPT-SAGS HE'LL Pro
pUcE BOOKS To-
Robert A. Scott. secretary Of the American Ice
Company 'evaporated" from the Jefferson Market
Police Court yesterday afternoon at 4:f5 O'Clock
quicker than a ive-cent cake Of ice will melt un-
der a hot August sun If he hadn't melted
away vanished. ''vamoosed, skipped. busted
disappeared. he might have spent last night in
jail under a charge OF contempt of court
Secretary Scott subpenaed to appear before
Magistrate Zeller yesterday afternoon at O'CLOCK
in Jefferson Market with the minute books of the
American Ice Company which was compelled 10
answer a complaint in which conspiracy against
the people charged. Mr.. Scott who Is ABOUT
thirty-three years old and medium sized, mas curly
hair, a pleasant face and. as before intimated.
marvellous way of disappearing at critical MIN
ute. De Lancey Nicoll representing c w Morse
president of the ice company, had spent an houi
cross-examining Walter Howard. the technica
complainant in the action against the trust ana
Magistrate ZeIler was just the point of adjourn
ing the hearing.
r F. Einstein of counsel for the plaintiff, asked
that Secretary Scott be called
Is Mr. Scott here?" asked the Magistrate
Mr. Scott looking little scared. showed his way
through the crowd and stood before the desk in
side room OF the court. where the examination TOOK
place Then lot of queer things happened
Mr. Nicon looked at his associate, John ID. Lind
say and Mr. Lindsay looked at William H Rand
jr Of DAILY Hoyt & Mason. attorneys for the ice
company.
Have you got the books of the company with
your asked Mr.. Einstein.
Hell have them here Wednesday,. suddenly
broke in Mr. Nicon. with the pleasantest smile
imaginable.
Certainly he'll have them here" said MI Rand
'If he hasn't the books here this instant" said
Mr.. E.nstein. Il shall move that he be comnlt'eo
for contempt =
''oh, he'll have every book here that the Court
is entitled to see" said Mr.. Nicoll as Mr.. Scott
began TO grow white and back away from the desk
THE DISAPPEARANCE ACT.
Bring the books with you without fall on
Wednesday, said Magistrate Zeler who leaned
forward 10 hear what court attendant had TO say
about four prisoners I'm the main courtroom
Then came the disappearance act. The Magis-
trate didn't it. Mr.. Einstein didn't see it. MI
Shearn, Mr.. Einstein's associate didn't see it, ana,
as a matter of fact mighty few people saw it but
Mr. Rand and Mr. Lindsay. for Mr.. Nicoll kept on
assuring the Court that Mr.. Scott would be on
hand all right Wednesday with all the books
Mr. Einstein peered across the bench toward the
spot where Mr.. Scott had been. and his lower jaw
dropped
where's Scott?' he demanded angrily. What's
become Of that man Scott. with the books of the
trust? Has he sneaked out? He's in contempt Tor
disobeying the summons?'
There was no answer. Every one looked for Mr..
Scott In his place stood Mr.. Rand with face
almost square and cold as a cake Of ice
why Your Honor, you dismissed him." said
Mr. Rand. without smile.
Il did nothing of the kind said the Magistrate
with a show of anger. II did not dismiss him or
tell him 10 leave the 1 told him TO bring the
books on "Wednesday Where's Mr. Scott?"
A attendant, after a hurried search, re-
ported that Scott could not be found.
Mr.. Nicolls face was as happy looking as one
OF Raphaels cherubs.
Mr. Scott will be here on Wednesday, with all
the books required by law" said he once more
IN afflH
asked MI Einstein, much crestfalien. but disposed
to make the best of bad situation
CertainIy-certainly-on Wednesday" said Mr.
Nicoll.
fully the fact that he had been neatly outgen-
eralled. When he got out on the sidewalk he said;
That spiriting away of Scott was done intention
having the books with him There's no telling
what they'll do with those BOOKS IN Two WIloie & qaEs
MORSE SENT FOR.
President Morse Vice-President John D. Schoon-
maker Secretary Scott, Superintendent Edwin
Winch and Edwin Campbell director. had been
summoned be present before Magistrate zeler
in the action dissolve the corporation on the
ground that it is monopoly in a necessity of life
William r. Hearst, of The New-York Journal
instgated the suit, the complainant being Walter
+. Howard. a reporter on the paper Messrs
hand when the hearing was called YESTERDAY AFTER
noon at O'clock MagiSrated zer 6iaf def'e9 s fhas
wei have issued a warrant for their arrest" said
hold them? Where Would they be- then?'
MIR. Morse did not arrive until the hearing had
been adjourned TO a side room, and was not called
to the stand.
will hold these defendants for the Grand Jury"
After the hearing had been adjourned to the side
room, Mr.. Shearn offered in eviGence the charter
CO pos PsPrs i Of fRe Ss Ice
pany, and the annual statement OF the American
Ice Company made in 1888 TO the Secretary OF State
MI Nicol objected to the ana val statement on
the ground that it indefinite and really the
OF "one Bennett" who, he explained, was an ex-
Mr. sheaTn offered in evidence the articles Of in;
with the Secretary OF State in Maine in November,
1899 and copy Of the articles of incorporation of
shows the American Ice Company to contro;
the Knickerbocker Ice Company. having 5000
Tire first witness was William A. Mcclure. secre-
duced book TO show that the American Ice Com
of its stock the application being signed by Robert
Mr.. Howard. who fled the complaint. then testi-
fed. Mr.. Nicol made an effort to minimize the
witnesss knowledge OF the case and all J. his gues,
several questions that appeared to him 10 lie
very wei~the price OF ice was now 60 cents a
hundred pounds whereas il had been only 50 in
He said he had worked on the case for one week
before preparing the story for his paper and filing
Mr. Nicoll asked Mr. Howard If he would be sur
ice Company never sold any ice in this city The
witness said he would be very much surprised.
Knickerbocker ice companies have never been in
active ti cong competition would it surprise you?"
How many docks occupied by independent
u don't know how many"
well the number IS twenty-three- That is
twice as many as the American Ice Company occu
III How many independent companies there?'