The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-07-08

A Little Light on
The Ice Question.

= 49, 49, &e&SsAS
Every consolidation of two or more
business enterprises has for its object
an increase in the profits of the con-
Germs amalgamated, either by lowering
the cost Of production Or by creating a
monopoly in the product manufactured
and taking advantage Of such monop-
oily to increase prices at the expense
of the consumer. AS general thing
both of these objects are the incen-
tive which dictate the advisability Of
5 incorporating several concerns under
one management, and the result Of
such consolidation invariably works
hardships upon the consumer.
Jacksonville, New Orleans and sew
eral other cities are at the present en-
gagged in investigating the question
OF ice, and while the matter is under
discussion little light on the cost of
ice manufacture will prove of more
than ordinary interest.
The New Orleans States few days
ago contained the following article in
reference to the cost of producing ice
that will prove an eye opener to those
who are not on the inside:
"Ice can be made and sold for 10
cents per hundred at the platform Of
the factories and to the consumers at
25 cents per hundred" said J. J. Rus
ell - ~ T.
Company, this afternoon. ''All state.
ments to the contrary are false.
my brother, w. H.. Russell, and l
have been in the ice bushes for the
past twenty-five years and know the
business very well. The statement
made by the Crescent Ice Company
that it cannot sell ice for Is cents per
hundred Is incorrect. 1t is a larger
concern than ours, yet we have been
selling ice all summer at the platform
for is cents per hundred to our GUS
toners. To chance customers the
price is 20 cents. We have three
wagons out and sell at the same price
to consumers, Is cents delivered, as
the retailers do.
The capacity of our factory is sixty
tons daily. We buy twenty-five tons
daily from the New Orleans Brewing
Company, and also get two carloads
from out of town. II the out-of-town
factories can furnish us with ice at
rate which allows us to sell it at IS
cents per hundred, then 1t is certain
that the Crescent can sell 1t for the
same. That company controls the
trade in Mobile, Savannah, Charleston
and other Southern cities.
ITO show that We are not making
any false statements in regard to the
price Of IL cents, which we establish.
ed last April, my books are open and
We will furnish the name of every Gus.
toner The Crescent Company is en-
deavoring to force the others out of
business here. For eighteen months
they were selling Ice at 10 cents per
hundred at the platform to get our
business. but failed to get it."
Here Is direct statement by
manufacturer of Ice that it can be
manufactured and sold at the platform
Of the ice plant for Is cents per 100
pounds to regular customers, sold to
others at 20 cents per 100 hundred
pounds and delivered to residences at
profit at rs cents per 100 pounds.
Not only that, but out of town factor
les can manufacture and sell ice to
the New Orleans plant at price
which allows them to retail 1t on the
platform at Is cents per 100 pounds.
and at profit.
Pensacolians are compelled to pay
70 cents per 100 pounds for ice Ice is
selling In Milton for 40 cents per 100
pounds and the supply, or large por-
tion Of 1t, comes from the ice plants
Of Pensacola. which, although they
charge the Pensacola consumer 40
cents per hundred pounds. are glad to
compete for Milton business which in
wolves selling their product at the
same price and standing the cost Of
transportation and, of course, COM
mission or salary to the men who dol
the actual selling.
IL ice can be manufactured in Pen
sacola and sold at Milton for 40 cents
per 100 pounds it would seem that it
could be sold for considerably less
than that figure in this city and still
allow a fair margin of profit to the ice
companies.
III this is not discrimination against
Pensacola and II the local Ice compan-
les are not operating in restraint OF
trade by having created monopoly |
by means of which they are enabled
to carry on business in this manner,
Pensacolians would be glad to be ad,
vised to the contrary. !