The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-17
WHEN PAPER WAS SCARCE.
An Appeal OF Century Ago to "Pleaso
Save VOur Rags"

Save Your Rags"
Paper was so scarce when the American
army entered Philadelphia upon the evac-
uation Of the British troops that there was
a want of paper fitted for the construction
of cartridges. 1t was advertised for and
but small quantity procured. An order
was then issued demanding its instant
production by all the people in that city
who had it.
This produced but little more, very prob
ably on account Of its scarcity. A file of
soldiers was then ordered to make search
for it in every place where any was likely
to be found. Among other places visited
in July was garret in the house in which
Benjamin Franklin had previously had his
printing Office.
Here were discovered about 500 copies
Of sermon which the Rev. Gilbert Tenant
had written-printed by Franklin-upon
defensive War" to arouse the colonists
during the French troubles. The were all
takep and used as cases for musket car
tridges and at once gent to the armory.
Most Of them were used at the battle Of
Monmouth. The requisites in cartridge
paper were, Of course, thinness, strength,
pliability and inaammability, and such
paper then was necessarily scarce.
In 1871 paper was so scarce that in New
York tho journal Of the second session Of
the assembly was not printe6 the printer
being unable TO procure the nezassary pa
per. Horner, in his "Bibli9tksca Amer
icanan n-17S9-informs us that "at this
time the people Of North America manu-
factured their own paper and in sufficient
quantities for home consumption, but the
price Of labor was so high as to discourage
publishing beyond their own laws, pam
phlets and newspapers" Some two years
after this date David Bull, postmaster of
Troy, n. Y, publishetS the following
homily under the head please Save Your
Rags"
"The press contributes more to the diffu-
sion Of knowledge and information than
any other medium. Hags are tho primary
requisite in the manufacture Of paper, and
without paper the newspapers Of our coun-
try, those cheap, useful and agreeable COM
panions of the citizen and farmer, which in
apolitical and moral view are Of the highest
national Importance, must decline and be
eXtinguished, The paper mills of the state,
would the poor and the opulent, the farm
er and the mechanic, be persuaded into the
laudable frugality Of saving rags, would
turn out ample supplies Of American paper
to answer ali demands,
"The people of Massachusetts and Con-
necticut, with true American zeal, have
introduced this exemplary saving into the
economy Of their houses. The latter, by
fair calculation, makes yearly n saving of
rags to the actual amount of $50, 900. The
ladies in several large towns display an
elegant working IA part Of the furniture Of
their parlors, in which every rag that is
used in the paper mill is carefully pre-
served. Were this example initiated this
state would not be drained Of its circulat-
ing cash for paper and other manufactures
which American artists can furnish.
1.-THE poor by the mere saving of rags
may be enabled TO procure paper and books
for schools and family use and more agree
able articles Of dress and consumption
The rich who regard the interest Of their
country will direct their children Or do
mestics to place bag or box in some con.
venient place as deposit for rags, that
none may be lost by being swept into the
street or fire, the sales of which savings
will reward the attention of the faithful
servant and encourage the prosperous en-
terprise Of prudence and frugality."
The industries of the country grew sc
fast that in 1910 the number OF paper mill;
in the United States was estimated at 1856
of which 20 were in Pcnnsylyania.-St
Louis Globe Democrat.