Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-28
PAPER MAKERS IN COUNCIL.
Prosperity of the Trade-Warner
Miller on Hand-SOIid for Steam
ship SubsidIes and Tariff Mo-
nOpolT.

SARATOGA, July 27-The American Paper
Makers Association met in annual meeting
at the Grand Union Hotel to-day. Among
the members present were Hon. Warner
Miller, United States Senator elect, and
Hon. George West, member Of Congress
from the Saratoga district
President Wellington Smith, of Lee. Mas
sachusetts, after calling the meeting TO
order, spoke Of the prosperous con
dition Of the paper trade at this time
and the benefit brought about by
the tariff, which, he said, causes healthy
competition among the manufacturers of
this country rather than compelling them
to compete with the pauper labor Of Eu-
rope. He presented a specimen Of paper
which was sold up to the utmost production
OF 1872 at 1917 cents per pound, the same
quality being so poor that it would not now
bring 81 cents. This was owing entirely to
home competition improving the quality
and lowering the price. He spoke Of the
attack that had been made on Hon. Warner
Miller, because, at the request of this asso-
citation, he had appeared before Congress
sional committee to present facts regarding
paper manufacture.
Secretary Chaplin submitted a re
port In relation to circulars sent
out by order of the association last year,
requesting the mills to close at p. IN. on
Saturdays aud begin at 6 a. m. ou Mondays,
instead of stopping at IL p. m. Saturdays
and beginning at l a. m. on Mondays.
There were but few replies, and those were
uniformly against any change In the work
ing hours.
e. G. Walforth, from the Com
mittee on Export Business, reported!that
three hundred and seven manufacturers
had offered eight hundred and seventy-nine
tons for export without limit as to price
The increase In the export of paper in 1880
over 1879 had been sixteen thousand five
hundred tons. He recommended govern
ment subsidies to steamship lines.
Hon. Warner Miller, on the call OF the
President, addressed the association. He
said it seemed natural for paper manufac-
turers to go into politics, instancing Gov
erDor Rice, of Massachusetts,, and Others
Regarding the increase Of business, he said
the output Of the paper mills during the
past year had been fully 20 Fer cent. over
that of the previous year, and paper, he
said, is sold in New York as low, quality
for quality, as In London. Concerning the
tariff, he said that while the average duty
on all articles imported IS As per cent,
paper has a protection of only 70
per cent on the ordinary qualities and 35 per
cent. On tine. He announced himself as in
favor of aiding in the establishment of a
steamship line to South America, so that
American manufacturers can send their
goods there other than by way Of London.
He thought it would be as well for the gov
ernment to pay for prompt and perfect
mail line to foreign ports as for "star
routes" in western territories. In Germany,
few years since, he found mill running
on a peculiar kind Of paper for Brazil.
He found on his return he could
make that paper cheaper than the
Germans could, but he could not
Put it down In Brazil as cheap as
the Germans did, solely because the only
steamship lines to Brazil are from Europe.
He believed that American manufacturers
should be given facilities to secure the trade
of this continent, and he would do what he
could to secure that end.
Secretary Chaplin reported on recent
decision of the Postmaster General, con
STRUNG the laws of 1879 so as to make sam
pies with 'msrks for Identification" pay
first class rates instead Of fourth class.
Senator Miller said he had no doubt that
the decision of Postmaster General Key
was too liberal in constituting the law Of
1879, and that the government had suffered
great loss from the decision. Officers were
elected, committees appointed, and the
association adjourned.