New Britain herald., 1919-12-03
hAMVZLE NEVIS MUNICIPAL ICE IS COSTLY EXPERIMENT Plainville Is About $1,OOO Poorer
 As Result
 PRODUCT WAS POOR QUALITY Business Mems Association Anxious for Double Track-CoI1in"-Be Wedding Christmas Day-I>es' Case Comes Up Next Week-Bricfs.
PRODUCT WAS POOR QUALITY

Wedding Christmas Day-Ives' Case
 Comes Up Next Week-Bricfs.
 The municipal ice venture under taken by the town of Plainville last summer was an expensive experiment according to q statement made this morning by Selectman William J. Johnson. Mir. Johnson stated that the principal reason for the deficit was the poor quality of the ice and the subsequent Wastage, which could not be avoided under the circum- stances. He added that if the supply from ponds in this section had been saved and if the municipal ice had been sold first, great deal of waste might have been saved.
 The venture was the result of the ice shortage last summer. Many local people realized at the close of last winter that Plainville would not have large enough supply of ice 70 last all summer and the matter was taken up by the PlainVille Business and Improvement associa tion A resolution was introduced at a town money be appropriated to purchase ice for the use of the townspeople. The resolution was carried and, as q result, a supply of ice was purchased at Lake Sunapee, N. H. The ship ments arrived promptly and the ice was stored in local ice houses last spring.
 N.Frank c. Norton, a local deal was appointed by the ice committee. consisting of $. s. Gwillm, Charles H. Newton and John H. Trumbull, to handle the municipal ice. It was de cided to distribute the supply from local ponds before the imported ice was used. This, decision is now looked upon the greatest mistake made by the committee, it is said
 The ice from Lake Sunapee was Of d very poor quality, being composed principally of snow. 1t melted quick ly after being stored. The popular opinion is that if the municipal supply had been used first large part Of the expense resulting from waste might have been saved
 The method of securing payment from consumers also came in for a roasting' last summer Tickets were issued to each customer. each check being sold for one dollar, and the customer was obliged to purchase one dollars worth of ice, the ticket being punched by the driver of the ice wagon when delivery was made Thus the purchase price of the ice was in the hands of the town before the delivery of the ice. Whether or not the town will again try out the venture is a question.
 Want Double Track
 Local business men are again stir ring up agitation in town to secure double track between the Trumbuli Electric Manufacturing company's plant and Snarps station at Electric field, according to a statement made this morning by Frank T. Wheeler.
 This time worn question has been the subject of controversy for a num- Der of years. Plainville patrons of the Connecticut company feel that the improvement is a necessity and that it must some day become d reality. They also feel that they are entitled to such an i'm proVement which would immeasurablN better the service on the trolley line between here and New Britain. Numberless attempts have been made by local people 10 induce the Connecticut company to carry out this plan, but with no success.
 The double track from New Britain ends at Sharp's station and there is single track from that point to Trum- bulls. The double track continues from Trumbull's to PlainVille center. This mode of operation makes it necessary for cars from New Britain to wait at Sharps station until the cars from Plainville arrive at that point. The system is operated by electric signal lights.
 The present agitation is being led by the Plainville Business and Improyem association and the at 1empt to secure the improvement will be organized. The association re quests that supporters of the move ment report their views and com plaints to the organization rather than attempt to carry on a separate cam paign.
 Coal Arriving Slowly.
 Local coal dealers report that coal shipments are arriving slowly and that the present condition of the coal supply is far from satisfactory. Fl. (. Thompson has orders for 70 cars ot coal with a promise Of prompt snip ment. he saws. He added that he would rather have the coal than the promises The dealers have a very small supply of stove and nut coal ana it appears at present that the con