New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-08
ICE TRUST WEAKENS.
DIRECTORS CONSIDER A REDUCTION
OF PRICE.
NOW SELLING AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT
RATES. ACCORDING TO LOCAL
PRESSURE.

It was reported yesterday that the Ice Trust
had made another concession to public opinion
by reducing the price of ice from 80 cents a hum
dred TO 40 cents but the announcement seems to
be at least premature. Robert A. Scott, treas
urer of the American Ice Company, declared
positively TO Tribune reporter yesterday after
noon that no change had been made, but, on the
other hand, there is some reason to believe that
q general reduction is being contemplated by the
directors. This policy is being urged upon them
by 4he leaders of Tammany Hall. who fear the
alienation OF the vote Of the masses If hot
weather comes with ice at 60 cents after it has
been proved beyond denial that Mayor Van
Wyck and John F. Carroll large holders Of
Ice Trust stock
OF one thing there be no doubt-the trust
is weakening under the load Of public obloQuy
which it is carrying. and a reduction of price
may come any day. At present the American
Ice Company stands in the ridiculous position Of
merchant selling his goods at three or four
prices Sixty cents is the prevailing rate or ask
ing price. This has been cut in many instances
TO 40 cents when it was desirable to undersell an
independent dealer on certain routes. and then
there is the 80 cent reserved for the poor of
the East Side. Probably dozen wagons were
dispensing the charity" ice at time, but
since the attention Of the newspapers has been
drawn away from them and taken up with legal
proceedings against the trust. East Siders say
these wagons are exceedingly hard to find. Such
a course is so undignifed as to bring only ridi-
cale upon the trust in the eyes of all self-re-
specting business
Controller Coer said yesterday that his deter
rnination not to forestall the legal proceedings
by summarily resembling the Ice Trust pier con-
alter his plan TO hold up the trusts bills for ice
supplied to the city until their validity had been
passed upos by some Judge. The Ice Trust law
yerS were busy yesterday preparing for their
battles Tomorrow.
Judge Chester, sitting in Albany. on that day
viii hear argument on the motion to punish Z.
". Morse, president Of the American Ice Com
pany. for contempt Of court in falling to produce
the company's books before Referee Nussbaum.
Then he will hear argument on the motion TO
make permanent the alternative writs of prohi-
bition granted by Justice Herrick- These writs
are the ones which have kept the books of the
company secret and prevented the examination
Of its officers. Next will come argument on the
order which for the time put an end to the pro-
ceedings before Referee Nussbaum. The exam
tnation Of Mayor Van Wyck, John F. Carroll, the
Dock Commissioners and c. w. Morse is to begin
on the same day In Brooklyn, at 10 o'clock. be
fore Justice Gaynor. II is said that one Of the
lawyers for the defence will probably serve
notice of appeal from Justice Gaynor's de-
cision that the respondents must stand examina-
ton and the proceedings be stayed
There were rumors abroad last night that the
Ice Trust directors had been making overtures to
q certain newspaper to let up" on them, but no
confirmation of this could be obtained. The
Journal" not satisfied with the advice given by
ex-Judge Dillon to Controller Golfer on the
strength Of which Mr. Coler decided not to abro-
gate the trusts pier leases, asked General Ben
jamin F. Tracy for his opinion the subject.
and General Tracy. after looking into the sub
Ject thoroughly, reported that ample ground
existed for the Controller to break UP the trusts
contracts with the Dock Department.
There was A persistent rumor in Brooklyn
yesterday TO the effect that action would
he taken to-day by the attorneys for Mayor
Van Wyck and the other city officials who hold
stock in the Ice Trust, which would effectually
block the investigation that was to be made by
Supreme Court Justice Gaynor Saturday.
1t was said that stay would be obtained from
some Of the justices in Manhattan
Charles J. Patterson, one of the counsel,
fused to say anything when he last
night but he had the air of a man who had a
trump card yet to play.
An effort was made last night to DeIan-
cey Nicoll. 1t was said at his home, No. 123
East Thirty-eighth-st., that he not In. No
information to his whereabouts could be OBJ
tanned.