Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-11-07
IOWA ICE PRICES
WERE CUT DOWN
FOOD ADMINISTRATION ACTIVE.
TIES UNDER DIRECTION OF
W. T. HARPER HAD THAT
RESULT.

Adjustment of conditions with re-
spect TO the ice supply and price of ice
were made in many communities by
the milk and ice division of the United
States food administration for Iowa
during the season, and the foundation
was laid for complete control of the
situation In every county in the state
next year.
w. 4. Harper Of Ottumwa is chief
of the ice division and has spent the
summer adjusting disputes as TO con-
dtions and prices. The outcome has
been net reduction in prices and
much improved conditions for con-
sumers of the product.
Early in the year the United States
food administration announced deter
mination to prevent protiteerng In
ice, the spoliation of food and depriva-
ton of children on account of high
prices of ice making the preservation
of milk difhcult in the households, es-
pecially of the poor. Mr.. Harper has
administered the situation in Iowa
along that line. Following are some
of the adjustments made through his
activity and reported by him to United
States Food Administrators j. Il.
Deems:
BuxtOn-Price Of IS cents could not
be reduced without going below cost.
Fontanelle-Price reduced from 75
ito 60 cents.
Greenfeld-~price So cents, but adj
vance was asked. Producer at Corning
was influenced by food administration
to reduce price to the iceman at
Greenfield and price was kept at 80.
Orient-Price was ordered reduced
from IS to 60 cents.
lOomfield-Advance asked from SO
cents to househOlders, 40 to business
houses and 80 to butchers. New rates
fixed at so cents to hOuseholders Ono
change. SO cents to business houses,
As to business houses taking over 200
pounds and So cents in wholesale
quantities.
Jefferson-Complaint was made Of
ice prices and report from ice COM
pany disclosed that its ice was cost
ing II $4.70 ton, whereas other arti-
fetal companies were making it at
50 to $3.50.
Estherville-Ice plant went out Of
business without notice. Basis for Sc
curing supply furnished to Food Ad-
ministratOr Groves.
Missouri Valley-Complaint as to
quality of ice disclosed that undstilled
water was used. Producer claimed not
to be able to get fuel oil. Ice division
Of food administration secured him
eight carloads, for which he never
called and no further complaint heard.
Fairfield-One complaint was ad-
justed by Food Administrator McKe.
mey.
Iowa City-All natural ice supply
washed out in early spring by floods
Adjustment of this difficulty was fol-
lowed by complaint as to charges for
delivery to extreme limits of consum-
ing districts. Food Administrator Car
son was asked to have ice companies
make figures on cost of delivery TO in
side, medium and outside territory
with view to striking an average.
CharitOn-Price reduced from GO
:ents with coupons and So cents cash
to householders, to so cents, August
IS.
KnOxvile-Ice famine threatened
during he hot weather and the ice d.
vision located supplies at Davenport,
Des Moines and elsewhere which prom
ised to protect food supplies but en-
tailed an extra charge on consumers.
No complaint has been heard.
MOulton-The Artificial Ice company
of Centerville sold ice ut Centerville
ut So cents to householders and
shipped ice to Moulton and sold it for
SO cents. The natural ice dealer at
MOulton reduced his price to 40 cents
and drove the Centerville company out
of the field. He then began charging
It's customers GO cents, maintaining
his own at 40. A 80 cent price for all
was insisted on by the Ice division If
the food administration and no COM
plant has been filed.
DeAter-Irlce reduced from ~ 10 W
cents to hOuseholdcrs.
Humesfon-Threate ice famine
averted by employing information fur
nished by the ice division.
Clinton Difficulties about rules
thrashed out in public hearings Prices
were 30 cents TO householders. 80 and
40 cents TO merchants and $3.50 a ton
to butchers. But the rules provided
that ice companies should put ice in
boxes If 80 pounds were taken but on
the sidewalk If % only were faken,
while they would not sell for cash
from wagons.
Chcrokee-Prices advanced in 1917
to 80 cents to hOusehOlders, 80 cents
to grocers. etc. In 1918 ice dealers
proposed TO advance the price 10 GO
and 40. County Food Administrator
French recommended n compromise at
IS and 30 cents. The ice division
agreed to this but notified dealers IL it
was not accepted 30 cent price for
householders would go In. II was ac-
cepted.