New-York tribune., 1906-07-25
MAYER MEETS OLER.
attorney General to Investigate
Ice Trusts Operations.


tween Wesley NJ. OIer. president Oe- the American
Ice Company, and Julius NJ. Mayer. Attorney Gen
eral. at the latter's Office it announced that
the Attorney General would Immediately begin
a thorough investigation OF the company's affairs
TO ascertain whether or not il has been guilty OF
violation Of the Donnelly Antitrust law.
Mr.. Mayer came to New York yesterday from
Wapit, his Adirondack camp, and at once sent
word to Mr. Oler that he ready to discuss with
him letter written by the president of the Ice
Trust reiterating Attorney General an offer
Of cooperation recently made to District Attorney
Jerome.
Mr. Oler's letter read as follows:
9 @ tEs By the 5 you
against the American Ice company
On July 2 addressed letter to Hon. William
sad '''''e' Ds''''0' -,'''.''''' :" "lll'" We
TO give you full exposition Of the condition Of the
ice trade as & far as the American Ice Company is
beginning legal proceedings to procure such in
This tender on our part is also made to you.
By Wesley NJ. Oler President.
At the conference which followed Mr. Mayer ac-
cepted the offer Of the American Ice Company.
Mr. Oler assured the Attorney General that his
concern is in no way conducting an illegal business.
and that II has not been guilty Of conspiracy in
straint Of trade.
Attorney General Mayer said that he could take
no steps toward an injunction against the ice
pany nor would he bring any proceedings until his
| investigation has proved that the company has
| been engaged in restraining trade.
The Attorney General has intention to bring
criminal proceedings. as he holds that it is the
duty Of the District Attorney TO begin any such
| action However should Mr.. Mayer IN his investi-
cation obtain information which will show that
the American Ice Company is crminally liable he
will turn over such evidence to the District At
tOrney.
The Board OF Aldermen held a special meeting
] ~ coaH
District Attorney Jerome's letter. in which he de-
clined to proceed against the Ice Trust until he had
sufficient evidence. which he said ought TO be OBJ
! tanned by the Attorney General was read. He said
that he had authority TO compel the company TO
\ produce iIs books.
Alderman Peters insisted that the District At
torney could bring John Doe proceedings. The
| District Attorney is shirkinS HIS duty said the
| alderman.
A resolution was passed referring the matter to
the Committee Laws and Legislation. which will
/ refer the matter Attorney General Mayer. Al
derman Peters again attacked the District At
| torney.
In Kings County" said the alderman. I'VE have
/ a District Attorney who will do something against
| the Ice Trust. The opening of the books OF the
| American Ice Company will show monopoly. In
| District Attorney Clark we have a man who will
taEe action and is not like the man who goes about
the country lecturing other people about their dU-
/ ties while negiecting his Own"
The executive committee of the Cheaper Ice
: Committee met yesterday AT NO 81 FaFk ROW anu
submitted its report of investigation OF the ice
situation. he committee reports that there is an
/ evident compact te keep up the price of ice and
that they viii submit their evidence to the District
/ Attorney.
paragraph In the report says:
We have ascertained from authentic sources that
far from there being an ice scdTcy a5 ne trust
an excuse 10 curry public sentiment
peter p Smith Assistant District Attorney of
Kings County has invited Alexander Halliday. an
Zoe dealer Of Bath Beach, to tell the District At
sorney's office what he KNOWS OF the compination
IottnJ Z, ia alleged the ice dealers In the south
HHroo5iyn and Bath Beach sections have entered
intn ~ raise the price OF ice