The Portland daily press., 1880-03-30
The Paper Duty and Wood Pulp.

The Paper Duty and Wood Pulp.
ties on paper and materials used in its make
is calling out the vigorous protests Oh manu-
facturers. They complain that the news
papers have the ear of the public and self
ishly abuse that opportunity, refusing to
state the other side of the case or give the
manufacturers hearing; and they com
plain with much justice that strong protec-
zionist journals which have always favored
high tariff where the interests of other con-
sumers are concerned declare for free trade
they have the chief interest. There is GER
tainly some reason for this complaint. Be-
levers in the theory of protection should be
willing to share the burdens which they in
sist others should bear, and until there is a
general revision of the tariff should hesitate
about pressing their own claims for exemp-
tion from the common tax. Paper has GER
tainly undergone large and rapid advance
in price. To some extent this movement may
be speculative, but in the main it is legiti-
mate. The industry so long depressed, is
now sharing in the general prosperity. The
prices of raw material and of labor have ad-
vanced. Stocks are very low, snd the
mills are far behind in filling orders.
Though there is little reason to believe
that paper will fall back to the very
low prices of the last four or five years,
there is as little reason to anticipate long
maintenance of the present high rates. As
soon as stocks are replenished, or new mills
started to meet the increased demand, sharp
competition will set in and prices fall to
their nominal level
1t is question if the paper industry in
this country as we'll as some other protected
industries are not now SO well established as
to do away with the necessity of special leg
islation in their favor. Paper-making can
not claim to be new and struggling manu-
facture in need of the fostering care of the
government. 1t has seen hard times, but
has had its share of prosperity in prosper
Gus times. 1t should no longer be per-
mitted to plead the baby act. The only
questions which concern the people in re-
Sdiu W tuC uAtJ GIG WhCb0Ci thC Pdi oidl iO-
vision of the tariff is wise just at this time
and whether the repeal of the duty will ma
terially affect the price of paper. But there
is one branch of paper-making to which all
the arguments for a protective tariff apply
with peculiar force, and that is tie man
ufacture of wood-pulp. This is a new
industry, started under great disadvantages,
prosecuted under great encouragement and
now just fairly getting on its feet. If ever
industry was deserving of protection this
one is The result of it has been to materi-
ally cheaper the price of paper and thus
confer positive benefit upon all publishers
and readers. Upon it's successful mainte-
nance the hope of cheap papersin future now
rests. Much capital and skill have been de-
voted to it, heretofore with little reward.
The machinery used is necessarily very cost
ly, and has to be frequently renewed. The
average life of wood pulp-mill is but ten
years.
Maine has vital interest in the wood
pulp manufacture. Over half million dol
lars are invested in mills in this State, and
employment given to thousands of people.
For example, one of the best appointed mills
in Maine is that of the Sebago Wood Board
Company at Windham. The plant alone
cost 100000. Seventy-five employees are on
to many other persons,-to those who get
out the wood, and take it to the mill, and to
the common carriers that transport the pulp
to market. During the time of low prices
for paper the manufacture of pulp could not
have been remunerative, and was prosecuted
in order to keep the mills in operation until
better times should come. The great and
sudden demand for paper now taxes the ut
most resources of the manufacture, and the
slight rise in the price of pulp, less than a
cent pound, affords for the first time
small and reasonable profit. Even this rise
is not all gain, for the enhancement in the
cost of the raw material and the increase
in the wages of labor make heavy demands
upon the extra profit. The manufacture is
now sharing in moderation the prosperity
which has come, frequently in much larger
measure. to the other industries of thecoun-
try.
Yet the advocates of free paper propose to
remove the duty on pulp, and thus cripple a
new and struggling industry which has done
more than any other agency to cheaper the
price of paper, and which is sconstantly seek
ing new and improved machinery that will
still further reduce the cost of manufacture.
No protectonist certainly should lend HIM
self to this movement. Little OF nothing
will be gained in the way of cheap paper,
and much will be done to discourage
worthy and growing industry. The removal
of the duty on wood pulp will make but a
trifling difference in the price of paper, and
that difference is the manufacturers profit.
The mills i'll order to make anything now
have to be run very ''close," and if the
slight margin of profit is taken away
a stop will be put to those experiments
which promise to result in permanent re-
duction of price, and blow be struck at a
branch of manufacture which affords liy-
ing to many people and marketfor the 9th
erwse useless woods of our forests. The
gain to paper users will be immaterial, and
the result will simply be, to build up at our
expense the wood pulp industry Of Canada.
If Congress acts justly and wisely it will re-
fuse to remove the duty.
NEW YORK Tribune: Mr.. Coffroth of
Pennsylvania to Mr.. Blackburn of Kentucky: