The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-07-18
THE ICE TRUST
AND PUBLIC
RIGHTS
{. ". Marsh Makes Some Good
Suggestions Regarding the
Conditions in Pensacola.

Editor Pensacola Journal:
While the question of the Ice Trust
in Pensacola is being so widely dis
cussed among our citizens, few sug-
gestions as to the rights of the public
in the matter of the prevailing price
of ice may be of use in crystalizing
public sentiment and action which
may be taken thereon
The failure Of the prosecution
against the Trust in Jacksonville IS
probably due either to the lack of evil
dence or the failure of the jury to
perform it's duty; but this result
should not deter our citizens from in
sisting on modification of the pres
ent prices. The punishment by fine
of some of the drivers for short de-
livery Is well enough, and will, hope
check growing evil in the ice trade,
but the practice of giving short weight
is in Itself too contemplate to attr;-
butte as a fixed policy to any associa-
ton of men Of the business integrity
of our Ice Barons, and l think few
people believe that they are directly
responsible for the systematic robbery
perpetrated by the drivers. However,
it Is the conditions brought about by
the combination of those magnates in
to the Consumers Ice and Fuel Com
pany" that is the father of these
abuses. Lack of competition would
make any one rather arrogant in their
business attitude towards the CON-
munity, and the community should
sound warning to these gentlemen
as it Is possessed of the right to legal
remedies which would completely eX-
tinguish this trust, and compel the ice
plants to compete on lawful basis in
the ice business.
l suppose the ordinary citizen does
not object to the existence of COM
binat!on among the ice plants here
for the purpose of saving unnecessary
expense in the maintenance of de-
livery system for each plant; in the
Iover-production Of ice; and in ruinous
competition. We would like to see
our ice manufacturers prosperous in
their business provided they give us
fair treatment In the manner of deliv-
cry and price; but the people have
realized for years that there was no
competition in the trade here as to
prices; that there was an understand
ing among the several plants; but
until the organization Of the Con
sumers Ice & Fuel Company" there
was no tangible evidence of a COM
binat,on. ! am merely guessing at
the nature of the organization of the
Consumers Ice & Fuel Company" as
there was no public announcement of
its designs; it's object of association
or method of doing business; / take
officers that it was organized as dis
tributing agency for the products man.
ufactured by the three plants; that
each plant has contracted to sell its
output to this company, and not to
engage in the distribution of the ice
manufactured by it. If / have stated
the situation truly, this would be an
illegal combination, or conspiracy in
restraint Of trade, as defined by de-
cisions of the Supreme Courts of the
United States of Illinois. Louisiana,
California, Michigan, Texas and other
states. The members of the company
can be prosecuted under an existing
statute of the state of Florida or ap-
propriate civil proceedings could be
brought to dissolve the Consumers
Ice & Fuel Company" and to enjoin
its members from further engaging in
this combination 1t will, therefore,
only require the united efforts of our
citizens to bring about better prices
and a better system of delivery.
l think the gentlemen constituting
this combination realize their situa-
ton, and will be willing to listen to
reason if they are impressed with the
fact that the people are in earnest in
their effort to get better prices and de-
livery. would suggest public meet
ing of all interested parties to take
place soon in which this matter may
be discussed, rather than to resort to
litigation, which Is likely to prove un-
satisfactory.
Respectfully,
F. w. MARSH.