Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-23
IN DEFENSE OF
THE ICE DEALERS
Statement as to Origin of Local
Investigation.
FROM A SOCIAL GATHERING
Jobbers Called Together in Interest Of
Harmony.
ICE FAMINE Is AGAIN AT HAND
Wagons Sent Out Only Half Filled
Abundant Supply ON Vessels
Bound for This City.
Jobbers Called Together in Interest Of
Harmony.
rCE FAMINE Is AGAIN AT HAND


A hitherto unwrittan story, 80 far as the
public is concerned. respecting the local Ice
situation was detailed today to a reporter
for The Star by business man who is fa-
miliar with the existing conditions While
for personal reasons. he said. he would pre-
fer not to have his name quoted. he was
well prepared to substantiate all Of his
statements and contentious. Speaking Of
the investigation recently conducted by the
United States attorneys office which re-
suited in indictments being returned In the
District Supreme Court against Ice dealers
he declared that the basis Of the whole in
curry was to be found in q little social
gathering last April at the Office of one OF
the wholesale dealers. 1t was not formal
meeting In any sense, he asserted. and was
called without the slightest reference to the
price OF ice. According to his statements a
number Of the jobbers. responding to an
invitation of some of the officers of a
wholesale company made with view OF
bringing about better understanding and
of increasing harmonious relations. assem-
bled In the office Of the company one even
Ing, engaged In conversation and enjoyed
refreshments.
Cutting of Prices Discussed.
Naturally the retail dealers fell to talk
Ing about their business. Some Of them
complained that some were cutting the
market and thereby interfering with other
mems customers. After this subject had
become one OF general discussion some one
remarked that the season was likely to be
a severe one. and that from the indications
there would be more trouble In securing leo
than in selling 1t. and that there was no oc-
casion for the dealers to cut into each
others line of custom. ALI present seemed
to accord heartily with the idea, and while.
1t was stated. there was nothing approach
ing a formal agreement respecting a GER
tain price to be asked for ice II was under
stood that the objectionable underwriting
would be discontinued. At this meeting. 1t
was stated. q route agent of the American
Ice Company was present. but not as an
official representative of the company.
According to the story, within short
time after the gathering one Of the retail
dealers, who had been selling Ice at IS
cents. informed one of his customers that
the price had advanced to 10 cents. In ex-
PLANTATION the dealer Is said to have stated
that the increase had been directed at a
Mated was reported to the office of the
district attorney and the investigation fol-
lowed.
This, In brief. was declared by the busl-
ness man in question to pe the sole
foundation for the charges which had re-
suited In the indictments. He declared that
come Of the accused persons had never
been in the company of the others until
the day they appeared in court for ar
raignment.
Appeal Made to Facts.
mo one at all familiar with the facts"
he declared. could seriously suppose that
any conspiracy actually existed among
the wholesale dealers for the purpose Of
main tanning or advancing the price of Ice.
II any agreement in this connection ever
existed 1t was with view of keeping
the prices down and OF providing as far
as possible for an adequate supply Of the
product during the present summer. II
the public knew the true inwardness Of
the struggle of wholesale dealers to sup
ply people with sufficient ice at reason
able figures a general sentiment OF COM
mendation would arise in favor of the
companies many of whom are now being
severely criticised"
ut is singular" he remarked, that a
great hue and cry has been raised in refer
ence to the price OF Ice when. notwithstand-
ing the extreme difficulties OF supplying the
market with the commodity at any figure.
the consumers of this city class are
paying no more for Ice this year than they
have been for the past ten years. 1t Is
true that Ice is now costing a little more
than usual to some who might be cfassed as
consumers and who are buying in larger
quantities than the average citizen, but for
the great mass Of people. those who are
supplied for household and family con-
sumption. the cost Is not now above what
1t has been in recent seasons.
Interests of the Public.
"In substantiation of the assertion that
the wholesale dealers, particularly the
American Ice Company. have been and are
earnestly endeavoring to conserve the In
terests of the public as well as their own
interests in the matter, I may call atten-
tor. to the daily happenings at the Ice de-
pots in this city. 1t Is fact that can be
easily verified that all who come to the
warehouses to purchase ice are regularly
urged to load their vehicles as light as
possible and are advised to impress upon
their customers the necessity of the utmost
economy in the of Ice. They are asked
to inform consumers that in order to tide
over the stress period 1t is absolutely es-
sential that families should get along with
tho use of as little ice possible.
These measures hardly compatible
with the theory that the ice dealers are In
league for the oppression OF unfortunate
consumers. The companies are not trying to
make fortunes out Of the necessity of the
public. They are conducting their affairs so
as to cut as close to the line as possible.
Naturally they do not want to lose money,
but they are perfectly willing to share with
the consumers the burden incident to the
seasons stringeney.
IF people in general would take the
trouble to acauatnt themselves with the
facts they would be surprised at the sacri-
Aces which have been made by wholesale
dealers In the effort to supply the demand
at the lowest possible figures. 1t might oc-
caaon some amazement to learn that about
~ per ton for natural ice is now being paid
and that only 81 for the same quantity Is
being received from the jobbers But the
conclusion from these figures Is not that ice
Is being actually sold at a loss. They are to
be taken in connection with the cost price
of manufactured ice which was in storage
at the beginning Of the season and that
which has been produced SINCE
On Marrow Margin.
The American Ice Company. he continued,
is now selling Ice to the 1obbers at 20 cents,
which enables the latter to supply con-
samers at 40 cents per hundred pounds
This he said. Is operating on the lowest
possible margin. both for the wholesale and
retail dealers. Tho wholesale price, he
pointed out. IL only 8 cents more than 1t
was last year. while the retail figures have
been kept to 20 cents. The first advance
to the Jobbers. 1t was stated, came about
the LIST OF June. when the price went up
~ cents. The second advance went into
effect today.
It was stated that not day passes that
offers Of from 81 to 81 per ton more than
liz being asked for the leo are received AT