The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-22
ICE INVESTIGATION ENDED.
NOT LIKELY THAT ANY INDICT.
MENTS WILL BE RETURNED.

ene Grand Juror Ont with q Statement
Declaring That the Trust II Crfini.
naliy Responsible, but 1t 10 Doubtful
II He Can Find Eleven Supporter.
The Grand Jury practically finished Ito
lee investigation yesterday after examine
ina several witnesses. II is possible that
M fury may present the result Of Ito !de-
alterations to Judge Rosalsky In General
SESSIONS to-day.
No decision had been arrived at yesterday
m the question Of Indictments. Although
some are strong in the belief that o criminal
conspiracy existed to put the price Of Toe
At a certain figure, twelve, or enough to
indict, do not agree with that opinion.
The witnesses examined yesterday were
Wesley NJ. Ober, president Of the American
lie Company; Richard Foster Of the SCOTT q
Foster Company, John N. Briggs, an indepen-
dent, and William M. Montgomery. who was
A member OF the Montgomery Ice Company,
now out Of business. Montgomery'e two
hrotbers, John and Fred, also in the Toe BUSH
nsss, and William d. Bruno, Jr., an indie
oendent dealer OF White Plains, were sub
nnnaed but were not called to testify.
After the Grand Jury had been dismissed
for the day Judge Rosalsky had a talk with
Foreman Bernard Karsch. 1t was thought
Ia some quarters that Judge Rosalsky bad
decide to say something to the Grand
Jury on the ice question that might be
considered in the nature OF q charge or
Instructions 1t Is known that Recorder
Golf mas had a conference with Judge
Rosalsky, presumably in relation TO the
Ice investigation. Those who were expect
ing a speech from Judge Rosalsky were
Before the Grand Jury met Edward T.
Hillyer, one Of tie members, had something
10 say about Joe. He remarked that he
oouldn t reveal what had gone on In the
Grand Jury room, but as a citizen he could
voice his sentiments. Ho said.
.The subject OF the high price Of loo Is
Of suoh tremendous vital interest to the
public that every high minded citizen
should seriously interest himself in the case.
What opened my eyes was that one day
shortly after my names ppearedin The news
napers as a member Of the Grand Jury the
elevator man in a building said to me:
For the love Of God, Mr.. Hillyer, I hope
that you as a memper OF the Grand Jury
will do all you can to keep down the price
Office
y questioned him and learned that ct
his house he wa compelled to pay a. muoh
O. 10 cents a hundred for Ice. He gets
about $l2. 80 a week. I could readily see
that an increase Of price from 30 to 10
cents was a hardship Of great moment.
Then, when I realize that there are hundreds
Of thousands OF men with families In the
city the gravity Of the situation dawned
on me.
Speaking as a citizen I say the report Of
Col. Webb OF hode Island about the cur
tailment Of the ice crop in Maine, where
they used to cut 1000 900 tons a year and
last year cut only 100000 tons, should be
1T seems to me that IL the trust Is re-
sponsible for the present shortage the Off
Gals should be held criminally responsible
for not getting a bigger crop in Maine.
That makes them responsible for The high
prices now.
The fact. that the price Of ice is high
and the people who have to pay 1t regard 1t
as extortion, and that al ice company
failed to cut sufficient supply establishes
In my mind a prima facie case Of an agree
msnt hostile to public health and a con-
spiraoy dangerous to the welfare OF the
people at large.
flow criminal that conspiracy may be
Is for a petit jury to decide after hearing
both sides in open court
George H. Webb, who made an investi-
CATION OF the Ice situation for the State Of
Rhode Island and was asked to appear
before the Grand Jury, has sent word to
Assistant District Attorney Smyth that he
cannot spare the time to come here. Mr..
Webb, however. sent his report, In which
b, Gays that the ice trust ~purposely failed
10 harvest the supply of Maine ice.
Should the Grand Jury fail to file indict-
mania apd hand I'm n nraaantmank. III Ia
understood that Judge Rosalsky is deter
mined not to receive 1t. That inay bring
about a clash between the Grand Jury and
Judge Rosalsky.