The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-03-08
Consumers Ice Company.

A meeting was held at the Court
House on Tuesday night for the purI ose
of organizing Consumers Ice Com
pany for Palatka. The idea was born OF
the present high price of ice, or at least
the impression that has somehow gotten
into the heads OF the people that the
price is at too great an altitude for ordi-
nary folks to reach. Some IS people
were present and temporary organiza-
ton was effected by the election of ]
B. Finn, presidents; H. D. Atkinson,
secretary; Henry Merwip, treasurer, and
these with G. C. Smith, W. N. Coffee,
c. w. Buddington and +. W. Gerber as
additional directors.
II is the purpose of the company TO
put up plant with 15,tonice machine,
good second hand machine of that ca.
pacity having been offered at bargain
price. The company wants 10 sell a
share OF stock each TO 100 or more con-
sumers in this city, aud as soon as this
is done the plant will be ordered On
Wednesday morning Al shares had al
ready been taken, and those interested
were feeling secure as 10 the ultimate
success of the undertaking. The COM
its purpose is 10 furnish ice at a price
that wi | allow of its entrance regularly
into the homes of people of modest
means.
During the past year the people of this
city have enjoyed the low prices which
follow ruinouS competition in the ice
trade. A new company was organized
more than year ago, and its beginning
was marked by reduction, which was
met by the old company, The people got
all the benefits; the ice companies made
no money; rather they lost ii. This con-
dition continued until the first OF the
present month, when louie c. Canova
and John w. Simmons, an experienced
ice manufacturer, bought and merged
the two companies. II was only last
week that the new firm made its public
announcement.
When seen yesterday Mr.. Simmons
was already aware Of the proposed con.
SumerS' organization. He told the News
that its success meant undoubtedly a
continuation OF the condition of I'M
profitable competition. "Our business
is in a sense a monopoly today" said
he, "but is one that has no purpose OF
showing its teeth, or establishing prices
that would make ce-taking a luxury that
only the well-to-do could enjoy. As a
matter of fact our prices will remain ex.
actly the same as during the competition
between the two old companies These
prices are the same as those enjoyed BY
the people of ST. Augustine, plant in
which am also interested. As a mat
Ter OF fact, these prices are even less
Than those now charged in the city OIL
Chicago and many cities in New York
state. We are selling ice in large blocks
at IS cents per hundred; in chunks OF
100, 80 and rs pounds, at the rate of 40
C entS per 100; and ice cut 10 weigh II IL
pounds, and guaranteed 10 weigh 10
pounds, at 5 cents per piece. We can
do business at those prices if we can
secure. sufficient customers. These
prices are exactly the same as during
The past competition, and when our
coupon books arrive we can and will
make still further reduction"
The News only object in this state.
ment of the ice situation is 10 show the
viewpoint of each of the possible fu
lure competitors for the privilege of
cooling the viands of the people of this
CITY,