New-York tribune., 1909-11-06
ICE COMPANY TRIAL
CRUSHED OPPOSITION
Used Independent Companies
To Fight RiralS.

The value OF independent companies. con-
trolied by a corporation and used 10 crush
competitors. was brought out by witnesses
VINO testified yesterday before Justice
wheeler IN the trial OF the American Ice
company charged with violating the anti
monopoly law. Witnesses testified that the
zee wagons OF the Independent companies
we're followed IN order that the names of
customers might be learned. The canvass
'fS or presumably Independent COMPANIES
"h'ch were controlled by the corporation
Were then sent around and quoted prices
On Ice from nothing AT all up" as one
witness said. in order to underseli the com
petitors
II was brought out that the American Ice
Company owned the presumably indepen-
"ent companies operating under the names
oi John w. Shear and the Citizens Hygeia
Ice Company. letter was read from
wesley NJ Oler. president of The American n
Ice Company. addressed 10 the resident
manager in Baltimore. in which the value
OF independent companies as weapons
against competitors is noted:
Our experience in New York" wrote Mr.
Oler. has been so satisfactory th't we
hope soon to have one Of these companies
n each city II is a tremendous lever to
fight a competitor without injuring your
own trade"
Edward c. Clifford. who at one time was
depot agent Of the Consolidated Ice Com
pany at West s7th street and the Hud-
sen River. testified as to the methods
he employed 10 obtain customers in his
territory. He said that there were about
a dozen Independent ice dealers in this
district In IsJ1. and that the American
Ice Company controlled 90 per cent Of
the retail trade. The Independents were
obliged to obtain their ice from distant
points because OF the lack OF Independent
Ice bridges on this part Of the West Side
He said that several of these companies
were bought out by the American Ice Com
pauy.
Among these was John W. Shear. who
had a one-wagon business. The witness
said that this business was increased to FIVE
or six wagons. The added wagons were
labelled with the name OF the Independent
and the business continued under the guise
Of an Independent He testified that the
price from the American Ice wagons to the
family trade was 60 cents a hundred. while
the ice sold from the Shear wagons was 40
cents a hundred. He said that the agents
on the Shear wagons were instructed 10 get
the ice trade of the district at any cost, and
that they were told to cut the price Of ice
as low as was necessary to get this trade
The Shear business was succeeded by the
Citizens Hygeia Ice Company. and can
vassers were turned loose to drum up trade
for this presumably Independent company.
In this case American Ice Company wagons
were transformed into Citizens Hygeia
wagons
Alonzo y. Rosa. who was in the employ
Of the Citizens Hygeia Ice Company when
It was being operated supposedly as an
independent company. testified that he was
a solicitor and made prices 10 secure Gus
toners from the regular Independents. In
order to do this. he said. he sold ice TO the
family trade as low as 20 and 25 cents a
hundred pounds when the American Ice
Company was charging 50 cents a hundred
pounds.
II developed during the trial that the
prosecution had been unable to get certain
books desired, the corporation asserting
that they could not be found. Before ad-
journment an agreement was entered into
by which three accountants Of the prosecu-
ton will be given access to the company =
books at its Offices. and an opportunity 10
examine them will he afforded The trial
will reopen on Monday In the County Court
House.