The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-22

question at a special meeting last even
ing. and although no radical talk was in
dulged In and II was admitted by most OF
those who spoke that there was very
little likelihood that anything could be
done 10 cure the present situation. yet 10
the minds OF most OF the gentlemen who
made addresses IL seemed that there was
q way by which a recurrence OF the pres
ent conditions could be prevented.
There were about 20 members In the
room when the meeting was called 10 or
der by Acting President Lelan J. Tuck
and the petition asking for the meeting
was read by the secretary, James l.
jerks.
Mr. jerks then addressed the meeting
calling attention 10 the situation which
faced the people OF Pawtucket. and stated
that i'm his opinion there was no neces-
sity for this associa tion 10 pass resolu-
tions and appoint a committee 10 investi-
gate the cause OF the trouble. He thought
there were enough Investigations OF this
character going on al the present time,
and IL was not In the province OF this or
ganization TO look into this matter To any
great extent.
1t was a recognized fact that the price
of ice had been advanced TO a point which
makes that commodity almost prohibitive
10 very great number OF people OF this
city and rather than spend the time I'm
finding the cause he believed that II
would he more practical to find some
way TO overcome the trouble. He thought
perhaps this could not be done for this
year out he did believe there was some
way that could be devised whereby the
people Of the city would not be caught
in the hands OF the fee companies another
year and he thought IL was matter
which could well be considered bby this
association.
He stated that the Pawtucket Ice Co.
was paying the city Of Pawtucket 500 per
year FOR the right TO cut zee on one or
the reservoirs which belonged To the wa
ter department and besides this there
were two other reservoirs from which a
good supply of ice could be obtained al
most any year. He thought that II might
be a good thing IL an application was
made TO the legislature for the right TO be
granted TO Pawtucket TO cut and sell
TO its citizens. He declared that the city
had the right to sell water and ice was
only frozen water.
A second proposition which he put forth
was that certain number OF the people
form company for the Wanufacture OF
artificial ice He had been told that arti-
ficial ice could be had for very little
over 81 per ton and IL this was so IL
could be retaied for a fair profit almost
any season He declared that while the
ice dealers stated that the present high
ticed that when prices go up on almost
any Of the necessaries OF life II was diff
cult matter TO get them back again TO
their original plane.
President Tuck said that in his opinion
there ought 10 be set in motion some
plan which would prevent a recurrence of
the present condition. He spoke OF what
he had learned by making some inquiries
among the dealers In the city and he
ad n n a rs
soon as the Pawtucket Ice Co. raised It's
price the raise was followed by the other
companies although the driver OF one
team had told him the company he was
working for had on hand plenty of ice
that had not cost any more than IL had
done in other years and that the addi-
tional price asked represented just so
much additional profit TO the dealer.
One or two other gentlemen spoke OF
the necessity for a control Of the ponds
IN the neighborhood OF the city by a com
pany that would sell ice TO the people at
q reasonable price and then there was a
discussion regarding the cost OF artificial
fee.
At the suggestion OF President Tuck Il
was voted that a committee OF three be
appointed 10 ascertain the matter of ex
pense for the manufacture OF artificial
Zee and 10 report on any other feature OF
the subject which will have a tendency
20 relieve the citizens of Pawtucket from
the extortionate demands OF the ice deal
ers In the future.
President Tuck stated that he had
been Informed by the manager OF the
Pawtucket Ice company that they expect
ed to lose a large percentage OF their GUS
toners by this raise in rates and that IL
was really their purpose 10 put the price
20 a point where Il was practically pro-
hiotive because II was only by so doing
that they could keep on hand a sufficient
supply so that they could still remain I'm
the business OF selling ice.
II was stated by the president that he
would make the announcement OF the
men who would compose the committee
later because he would like TO give the
matter careful consideration before act
Ing. The meeting then adjourned.
RECEPTION TO MAYOR.
Plans are under way by the members
OF Pawtucket lodge OF. Elks 20 give
Mayor Higgins a grand reception on the
occasion OF his return 10 this city next
month. The mayor is one OF the char.
ter members OF the lodge and was It's
first exalted ruler lie II now In Califor-
MIA. where he has been for the past six
weeks and he is not expected home TIN
the middle or latter part Of September
The plan Is 20 give complimentary ban
quet 10 him and 10 send invitations to
PROMINENT FINS luIbukifnut iie state 10
attend.
The officers Of the Pawtucket lodge
have been made a special committee TO
arrange the details Of this AFFAIR.
HOSPITAL INSPECTION.
Previous 10 the opening OF the new
hospital building which II now occupied
BY the Twin City hospital II was planned
90 have an official inspection Of the In
stitution- -and-that- -some-eXening- should
be set apart when the members OF the
city government should be invited TO at
tend. supt. Heimer had an interesting
plan for this inspection outlined but be-
cause Of the delay which was experienced
in getting the building ready for occu-
pancy this was abandoned and when the
various rooms were ready the hospital
force moved IN and the work Of the In
stitution was started