The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-09

{
experimental upon, utilized, and adopt
ed. New machinery was invented,
tested, and applied. The inventive
genius OF the country was largely
directed to the scientific and
mechanical questions appertaining to
the business of paper making. And
yet, with all these aids and appliances,
the supply could not fully meet the
great demand; and the price of paper
ruled exceedingly high down to the
termination of the war, and for some
time after. The importation OF foreign
paper continued large. Even during
the two years of 1872 and '73 our paper
imports amounted to no less than 81 1,300,-
sos; and We exported none.
| But subsequent to the panic of 1873 q
complete change came over this branch
Of production in this country. Our
mills had tested their capacity for
quantity as well as their capability for
quality in their products. The public
demand was fully met both as to in
creased quantity and improved quality !;
so that III the past year our paper i'm
ports amounted to only $lS, $50, and we
exported $50, 364 of our surplus paper.
The tide had turned. We were now
supplying ourselves, and supplying
Europe. The energy and the ingenuity
Degotten OF the eXigencies and necessi-
7 pf in rl M NIs
working out their compensations in a
manner and to an extent not even con-
jectured at the time when resorted to.
| 1t is true that this enlarged export
trade in American paper was, in q great
measure, superinduced by an overloaded
market at home, caused by the depres-
sion incident TO the panic OF 1873. But it
has been found noue the less valuable on
That account. 1t was al eIpcrjmeRtuHa
GrNCiS, but the experiment has proved to
he u remarkable success. 1t has proved
to the American paper manufacturer
that he can not only supply our vast do
mestic demand, but that he can also sup
ply Europe. 1t has proven to him that
in mechanical genius and appliances he
is now at least on equal footing with
any European manufacturer, and in
some respects the superior.
lie has also learned that he has natu-
raj advantages III the superior dryness
of our climate, so essential to the pro-
duction of the finest grades of paper,
and in the abundance and variety of our
native tibrous tissues, not elsewhere
found, requisite as raw material, that
will enable him to compete with both
France and England in their own mar
kets for supplying this staple article in
satin to the coarsest straw.
Owing to the growing scarcity of ma
terial, France is now leVying an export
duty on rags and an import duty on pa
per. Under this double duty there, our
American manufacturer finds that he
can proftabiy furnish paper from this
SIDE cheaper than France can supply it
for herself. England is much in the
same condition as to scarcity Of paper
stock. Her supply OF the esparto grass
from Spain is found unreliable, and is
insufficient to meet the want. They are
consequently compelled to adulterate
with clay to such an extent as to de-
teriorate the quality, and thereby invite
the competition that American paper
offers. In this way the fame of Ameri-
can paper is being carried all over the
world, and the trade of the world in
this staple commodity seems to be open
ing to our touch.