The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-19
ICEMEN ALL In A
IACIT AGREEMENT
DRIVERS AND EMPLOYERS DI
VIDED UP THE BUSINESS.
Explanation Of the Trouble Which
E. d. Davis Had with One Company
Arrangement Made Three Years Ago
Still in Force-How It Has Worked
and It's Present Status.

If the long-standing- agreement be-
tween the ice wagon drivers and their
employers is in conflict with the state
law, it will be investigated by the Hen
nepin county grand jury.
=. d. Davis, a teller in the Hennepin
County Savings bank, is the man who
has precipitated the present situation.
He wished an earlier delivery than was
made in his neighborhood by the City
Ice company, which had been supplying
him for year. So he sent stop or
der TO that company and sought to
place his patronage with the Boston, the
Cedar Lake and several other companies.
In each case, he says, his order was de-
clned and he returned to the City COM
pany's office, where he asked c.. o.
Lampe, secretary, for note to the Bos-
ton company indicating the formers
willingness for the customer to transfer
his patronage. Upon refusal, Mr..
man, struck Mr.. Lampe in the face and
the two mixed it up till the office force
interfered. The patron was not salts
fed with test Of physical strength,
however, and purposes to carry the case
into the courts under the antitrust law.
b. T. Capen. manager Of the Boston
Ice company. denies that there is any
combination in restraint of trade, but
says that had he accepted Mr.. Davis
patronage, the City company's drivers
would Immediately have sought to make
1nroads among the Boston s customers
Had the City company no longer desired
the customer or been unable to supply
him at the desired hour, Mr.. Capen
says there would have been no trouble.
The Arrangement.
| Despite the denials of several of the
ICE co4mn!pany's managers, however,
tne1r attitude IN this case appears to
be based upon an arrangement between
the drivers and the employers made three
years ago. The former wanted in
creased wages and the latter wished to
stop cash sales Of ice from the wagon
and to keep frmer hold on their pa
irons. AS result, the drivers agreed
to enforce strictly a new plan for stop
time patrons who wished extra ice OF
others who wished chunk occasional.
ly were obliged to buy coupon books
or go without coolness. In addition, the
drivers were suspected of promising tc
see that each company's patronag e
was preserved intact and that new pat
ronage was to be divided according to q
Territorial superintendent. ~
Just how far this agreement went
mas been a well--guarded secret, but il
IS fact that the drivers secured the
higher wages, and that ever since ther
they, have been keen to enforce the cou
pon-book plan and slow to take Gus
TONER'S from another company. By thus
throwing large share of responsibility
upon the drivers, at least so far as con
tact with patrons is concerned, the man
ayers are in a rather strong position
IN case they are maintaining any com
blnation Of doubtful legality.
i What Managers Say.
! When The general terms of this ar
rangement are understood, statement:
made by some of the managers ar.
somewhat significant. Mr. Lampe i
quoted as saying that Mr.. Davis fail
ure to get ice from the Boston COMPANY
made by the icewagon drivers them
selves. The Icewagon Drivers an,
Helpers union has the city divided u
into sections, and there are very stric
rules preventing one driver from cut
: ting into another's trade. The ice com
panies are completely at the mercy O.
, the union, especially at this season O
,, there is likely to be strike, and yo1
can see what a serious matter it woul
, be to cut off the ice supply of the entir
city, .. ...... .-.- 2:
i Mr.. Capen said that, in his opinion
: the situation cannot be remedlea u
legal inquiry, but citizens of MinneaL
oils will have to continue getting thei
commenced to deliver to them in May
He is further quoted as follows: I"
don't blame Mr. Davis a bit If
Y had found myself in his place 1 woul
: have felt like doing exactly as he die
+ I can understand that consumers do nc
e like the way. things are running. Blu
l 10 al