The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-23
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1906.
A SCHEME FOR RELIEF.

Although the people Oh tIONlueHSe HdNS oS-
eved for some time they being mulcted in
excessive charges for ice and although they have
believed also combination among ice dealers
exists here for the purpose OF fixing and maintain
ing prices and sitting competition, action TO de-
termine the exact situation was not taken until a
few days ago, when the executive council OF the
Board OF Trade authorized the appointment Of
committee to make thorough investigation Tor
the purpose of ascertaining whether the prevail
ing price OF ice is exorbitant and if so whether
combination OF dealers is responsible for it.
Such an investigation, while it may not bring
about a reduction in price to a more reasonable
level will unquestonaby result in much good 1t
will at least show whether the price now charged is
really warranted or whether it has been established
arbitrarily for the purpose OF squeezing every pos
sble penny out of consumers, who in this state
appear to have no defence against or relief from
extortion
If it is found, as very large part OF the COM
munty is confident it will be, that greed is respon-
sble for present high charges, the publicity given
such discovery will tend TO mitigate the imposi-
ton. II will not be as effective as the Ohio method
OF dealing with ice monopolists, which is TO jail
them but it will at least expose the men whose
rapacity has led them to unrghteously mulct the
public, to the contempt and scorn OF their fellow
citizens.
Other cities suffering like Providence from
what the people believe to be the extortionate de-
mands of the ice trust, are not only moving or
criminal prosecution of the alleged extortioners, but
are preparing to place themselves beyond the reach
of their extortions in the future.
Plans that appear entirely practical nearing
completion in two New York municipalities
Mount Vernon and Yonkers The mayor of Mount
fDr efa,,t ,ttel-
ment OF cooperative ice-making plant of sufi-
cient capacity to supply the demands of the ,om-
munity The cost is estimated at $4,000 and the
price OF shares is fixed at $Io the purpose being to
have them as widely distributed as possible. There
appears to be no doubt that the full amount will be
quickly subscribed and that before many months
have passed the city will be furnishing its own ice
supply.
The Yonkers method is somewhat different,
but is seemingly equally practical 1t does not in
yolve the establishment of an ice-making plant,
but the utilization of what is already municipal
property and working of it with labor that has little
other occupation during the winter months
In brief the scheme is to harvest the ice on the
city reservoirs, the crop to be devoted first to the
needs OF the public buildings, police and fire sta
tons and school houses. When these needs have
been met the remainder of the crop will be sold to
the public at slight advance on the cost OF pro-
duction.
There is something novel as well as attractive
in the proposal to harvest ice the city reservoirs
for the average reservoir is much cleaner than the
average pond lake, and the product is reer from
bacteria than that which comes from waters in
which vegetable growths abound and into which
the drainage from farms and villages frequently
percolates.
Isn't this an example that Providence might
follow with profit The establishment of an ice
making plant would afford very little relief, but the
harvesting of the ice crop of the citys reservoirs
would go far toward supplying the needs OF the
community
From the Hope, Sockanosset and Fruit Hill
reservoirs thousands OF tons of ice of fine quality
can be harvested during all exceptionally mild
winters, and this supply, while it would probably
not be sufficient to meet the entire local demand,
would nevertheless be sufficient to create compet-
ton that would make such boosting OF prices as
has occurred here recently impossible in the III
The scheme certainly is worthy the ,e.ious
consideration OF the city council. II carried it
would be almost certain to render the practice of
extortion by local ice dealers impossible her .ait r.