New-York tribune., 1918-02-03
Conference Tomorrow to
Decide How Much Will
Be Cut From Rivers
Bill To Be Pushed
Senator Wagner Urges Quick
Passage Of Measure Giving
Governor Control

Senator Robert F. Wagner, minority
leader of the Senate; Ex-Governor
Benjamin B. Odell and the representa-
tives of the large ice companies will
hold conference tomorrow forenoon
to attempt to reach an understanding
as to how much natural ice will be
harvested along the Hudson and Mo
hawk rivers within the next thirty
days.
The artificial ice makers, it is under
stood, have been informed by the Fed
eral authorities that they will not be
allowed next summer to make ice by
the use Of ammonia, as they have been
doing. 1t also is understood that the
larger manufacturers have accepted the
decision as final and are prepared al
harvesting Of an adequate supply of
ice.
State Must Make Good
"What the large dealers are unable
to supply the state itself must under
take to, supply" said Senator Wagner
last night. II had talk to-day with
NO'E4uOI OQcIt anu OIlo OF TWO OIL LNe
big manufacturers of artificial ice. The
companies profess willingness to
start right away with the harvesting,
as they seem to realize that the life
of their business is at stake. The
trouble is that the job is such a big
one and the time is so short. The work
ought to be done within the next three
Or four weeks, while the ice is strong.
learned to-day from the ice men that
the normal production of artificial ice
for this city alone reaches the enor-
nous total Of 100000 tons, while the
natural ice harvest is normally about
100000 tons.
Representatives of the companies
we talked with to-day said they could,
by speeding up, harvest about 100000
tons, but If this is the best they can
Do It means a shortage of 100000
tons or more. Right here is where the
state must make ready to become an
ice dealer. 1t is possible that the ice
companies, on account of their famil-
iarity with harvesting and storage
methods, could harvest enough for a
full supply, but in my judgment-an
| believe my view is shared by Gov
ernor Whitman and others-the State
OF New York, and particularly the City
OF New York, cannot afford to run the
For that reason the bill authorizing
the state to go actively at the work Of
harvesting the ice will be pressed. The
passage of the bill need not in the
least deter the ice makers from doing
their utmost to supply the entire de-
mand, but It the state undertakes the
harvesting it will be an additional in
surance against an ice famine Even
should the state be n financial loser by
going into the ice business, it is better
to lose money than to run the risk of
a shortage in midsummer.
Odell to Aid State
"ln the new state food bill there is
a provision that the commission NAV
include ice if, i, its judgment. it IS
deemed necessity. | think this pro-
vision insures the public against ex-
cessive prices for ice if it should turn
out that we had to depend absolutely
upon the ice companies. The impor-
tant thing is to obtain authority from
the Legislature to cut the red tape and
get in position to harvest the ice at
once. It / correctly understand Sen
ator Browns views, he is willing. if
1t seems. to be necessary. to sanction
the speedy passage of the bill authoriz-
ing t0e state to begin the work.
u was delighted to read in The
Tribune to-day that Governor Whitman
SAID he was heartily in favor Of the
measure. The first thing l shall do on
Monday night when l get to Albany is