The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-28
ICE PROBERs
ARE GETTING
THE REPLIES

Manager Walsh of the Pocasset Ice Co.,
called al Secretary Webb's office this
morning and was closeted with the secre-
tary some time. talking over the ice SIT
uation.
The Pocasset Ice company has filed with
the board of trade investigating com
mittee detailed answers 10 the list OF
questions sent to the ice dealers, accom-
panied by long typewriter statement
explaining how much ice IL gets from
abroad and what II costs TO bring II here.
Former Gov. Charles Dean Kimball,
chairman OF the committee. was asked
this morning what he thought Of the
statement made TO the News-Democrat
by Mr.. Negus. the independent ice dealer.
who is selling ice at $3.50 per ton and
claims that the Providence Ice company
refused 10 sell him any at less than S6
per ton. after having sold him all he
wanted last year for from S1.l5 TO Sl.75
per ton.
81 have read Mr.. Negus' statements
with considerable interest, and shall read
them again. prefer to read them at
least once more before / would discuss
them.' said Mr.. Kimball
Asked II IL was customary for busi-
ness men 10 make contracts like that Mr..
Ice company. requiring him to buy all his
Ice for the year from that company and
not to sell below that company's card
price, Mr.. Kimball said:
We'll, / wouldn't say IL Is customary.
Some do II. particularly In cases where
they have specially article TO be sold.
II recall case concerning Baking pow
der, where the company protected the
man who made a contract requiring deal
ers not TO sell at less than price fixed
by himself
There is much that the committee has
yet to probe into" said the ex-governor.
we have made some progress, and have
informally Invited Ice men TO call on the
committee and give us any additional in
formation they may care to give.
There are so many elements entering
into the question Of cheaper Ice at the
present time that an offhand opinion
might not be fair to either side
The fact that there has been a merger
OF Ice companies In this city has been
strongly impressed upon Col. George H.
Webb. secretary Of the board of trade
and commissioner OF Industrial statistics,
during the present week
Discussing the work he has instituted
In an effort TO ascertain the true in
wardness OF the ice situation In this
city, Col Webb says.
1T has been very difficult to get a cor
rect list OF the ice companies OF the city
and state, and we find that some OF
the companies we sent 10 have been
merged into one large one.
There was one case In Providence
where we sent out three letters TO what
we supposed were Independent ice COM
panies. and we found they had been
merged into one concern.
As soon as we have a large majority
OF replies. they will be tabulated for pur-
poses of comparison with the figures
We have obtained from other states.
Since this investigation has been in
progress n number of people have stated
that whereas they were sure they were
not getting their proper quantity of ice
before. they are satisfied that they are
getting full weight now.
The Ice companies large and small
those supposed to be independent and
those I'm the so-called combine. are send
Ing I'm replies to the communications
that have been sent out from the board
Of trade and by the commissioner OF in
dustrial statistics
No formal answer has yet been re-
ceived from the Providence Ice COM
pany the principal concern In the state;
but assurance is said to have been given
that II will answer fully all the questions
asked. though so exhaustive are they
that 1t will probably take several days
II have received 22 replies out OF 60
communications sent out TO Rhode Is
land ice companies. including many Of
the more important concerns that supply
the people with ice' said Col Webb I'm
them the blanks for information are filled
out and the response has been very
prompt one"
The board of trade committee which is
investigating the subject did but little
at its meeting yesterday afternoon. but
will hold another session next Monday,
when a number of ice dealers will be ex-
amined orally.