The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-30

American Newspaper Publishers AS
ISOLATION has presented to the Anglo
American joint high commissioners a
carefully prepared argument in avo
of free paper and free pulp. The fol-
lowing is a syllabus of the argument:
1.-The directors of the American
Newspaper Publishers Association,
representing 157 daily newspapers Of
the United States and representing the
bulk Of the total consumption Of print
paper, are in favor Of free paper and
free pulp. The tariff of So per ton on
print-paper is prohibitory and we be-
lieve that the rate of $1.67 per ton for
mechanically ground wood pulp is ex-
c~essive; that the American paper man
ufacturers need no protection because
they can manufacture paper cheaper
than is done in any other part Of the
world, and they are now supplying the
Australian, Japanese and British mar
kets in competition with Swedish and
German manufacturers; that no PRINT
paper is brought into the United States
but that during the last year the ex.1
port had averaged over 1000 tons per
Wcth LII tldl II CHIllS ICFCIuc c
ceived from the importation of me-
chemically ground wood pulp was only
$41, S42 last year, so that no serious
question of national economy could be
urged in opposition to free pulp and
free paper.
"The American manufacturers are
protected to the extent of $1.60 per ton
by reason of their proximity to their
customers. The difference in the cost
of fra nGnOrfatiOn tn market jS their
great guarantee of security against
Canada or any foreign country. They
are also protected by reason of their
ability to obtain cheaper and more
convenient supplies Of coal and chemi-
Gals, which as yet, are not obtainable
in the Canadian forests.
"In January 1898, all the big and
profitable paper mills of the United
States, with a few exceptions, were
merged into the International Paper
Company, a combination that absorbed
t~wenty-four mills, producing about so
per cent. Of the entire American out
put. This corporation, or trust, was
capitalized upon a basis of $55, 900. 900.
The pretext given for the organization
of the trust was the inability of mills
to make paper at prevailing prices;
that bankruptcy stared them in the
face.
This combination was really form
ed to protect the prOprietors whose
mills were in poor localities, or on
streams that were running dry. Every
mill owner who entered that trust in
vited a withdrawal Of government ia
vor. Excessive n improper prices
were paid for man mills that were
located on exhausted water courses
and that were tributary to denuded
timber tracts; for mills that a period
of the year have an insufficient supply
of water or are under water; for mills
that are inferior and worthless in ma
chinery, equipment n constructions;
for mills that must pay excessive rem
tai for water power; for mills that do
not own or control wood lands; for
mills that ave neither pulp grinding
attachments nor sulphite pulp auXili-
aries.
The organizers of the trust frankly
admitted. at the outset, that it's COM
mon stock represented no investment,
yet a dividend of l per cent. on the
common stocks was declared in No
vember. payable December 81, 1898.
This common stock is now selling on
Wall street at so. A circular, based
upon information furnished by Off
GERS of the International Paper Com
pany, showed that in July the trust
was making a profit Of SO per ton on
it's output. The entire output of this
corporation, representing 1,42O tons per
day for theoretical capacity, could be
reproduced by a present Investment Of
SIS, 0O0, 900, so that the American con-
sumers of newspaper are forced to pay
dividends upon an inflated and wholly
fictitious valuation of at least $40, 000,-
600.
Immediately after the organization
of the trust 1t raised the price of paper
wherever possible. In three cases it
raised it's price $40 per ton and has
averaged an increase of s. per ton on
its daily output of 1,420 tons, equa1ing
an increased tax of 81, 130,0 600 per an
mum upon the OF the coun-
try, which now pay a total exceeding
see, 900, 600 per annum for their paper
supply.
THE enlightened policy of New York
n other states in protecting forests
should be encouraged by putting Ca
madam pulp and paper or the free list.
Every increase Of u cent. per
pound in the price of newspaper adds
$34 ,000, 900 to the valuation of the trust
securities.
DEWEY THE SENIOR NAVAL OF
FICER.
Admiral Dewey is now the senior of
ficer of the American navy, having
reached that position without congress
Sional action through the retirement
Sunday last of Admiral Bunce. He will
continue to hold that distinction until
the 26th of December next, when he
Will 10 upoH III clIAC iISts uIliSSS IcI-
gress except him from the operation
of the law, and after making him adj
miral Of h navy, provides that he
may hold that office in active service
without limitation.
GENERAL MILES AND THE BEEF
COMPANIES.
There were but three members OF
the war investigating commission at
its office today n after a short in
formal discussion, the regular session
was deferred until tomorrow. No wit
nesses have been summonded. The
Swift Beef Company, of Chicago, have
forwarded to the commission a COM
munfcation taking exceptions to the
reflections made by General Miles on
the character of the beef furnished the
expeditionary forces in the war. This
qestion Of the character OF the beef