The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-20
BIG ICE TRUST
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continued from Page One.)
Practically the only difference OF opin-
ion as TO the quantity OF ice on hand
and the necessity for charging almost ex-
tortionate rates for IL appears TO be con-
fined TO the people generally on one side
and TO the combine Ice dealers on the
other.
Some OF the ice men decline TO talk
while others discuss the question freely.
Il am heartily in favor" said Col. Rob-
ert II. !. Goddard OF investigation by the
board OF trade, representing. as II does.
the business interests of the city l know
that ice has been very high and cannot.
for my part, see what should make arti-
fetal ice so costly this year / hope the
investigation will be productive of the
best results 10 the people, for whom ice
has become necessity"
"This Ice matter should be investigated
now" said former Gov. Charles Dean
Kimball. II think we should know
whether we are paying more, than is
necessary for ice in this city"
Speaking for the ice dealers the mana
ger OF the Pocasset Ice Company is quot
ed as follows:
THE price OF ice. both wholesale and
retail, has been a great deal higher dur
Ing some OF the last 20 years than this
summer. but not before I'm my experience
has there been any fuss stirred up over IT,
I'VE all know that there was an ex-
ceedingly short crop this season, and
under the circumstances l think that the
the raise In price was not exorbitant Let
them make an investigation and IL they
find any one guilty OF the crime they are
trying to unearth, why let them suffer
the consequences.
"I know that the profit we are making
on this years output Is considerably
lower than that OF last year. We prac-
tically had no leftover supply this sum-
mer. and had TO go to New York state
for enough TO enable us 10 do our regular
amount Of summer business
Manager f. c. Sweet OF the Providence
Ice Company said he was too busy TO
talk
II do not believe the Providence Ice
Company is trying TO -ob anybody" said
Manager oscar Swanson OF the Provi-
dence Public market. OF course, do not
presume the company is losing money or
means TO lose money. I am not satisfied
with the price have 10 pay. but feel that
the best OF the situation will have to be
made"
George f. Wilmington, general mana
ger OF the Armour Packing Company.
said: The price of Ice is beyond all rea-
son found that could get ice cheaper
from an Independent firm In the city and
have purchased all my ice from them
| absolutely refused 10 pay the prices
asked by the big dealers"
That the Providence Ice Company is try
Ing TO drive him out OF business is the
unqualified statement OF j. N Negus OF
the Columbia Ice Company, an indepen-
dent concern. doing business In this city
II bought my supply OF ice OF the Provi-
dence Ice Company for three years up to
this spring" he says Last year I paid
Sl5 ton for ice. and this year they
charged So, consequently decided to pur-
chase ice elsewhere. and now get my sup
ply from Winchendon, Mass.
THE Providence Ice Company has heard
two OF my men away from me. one OF
them. Henry Harper. left my employ last
spring and the other Edward Lane left
last week. The latter man Is now going
over his old route and pedding 10 GUS
toners from the Providence Ice Com
pany's wagon. The company has under
bid me In both wholesale and retail trade.
THE Use that was harvested last win
should be sold at a reasonable price. since
the expense was not sufficient to war
rant the high prices charged. Consequent
ly, ! believe in selling fee at reasonable
prices"
Officials OF the Providence Ice Com
pany disclaim any knowledge OF the
transactions referred to by Mr. Negus.