The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-28
FREE PAPER AND PULP
Demanded by the Newspaper
Publishers Association,
IT NEEDS NO PROTECTION
Manufactured Cheaper Here Than Any
where Else In the worid-The Trust
Has Patterned by Fleeing
Newspapers.

Washington. Dec. 21.-The American
Newspaper Publishers association has
presented to the Anglo American joint
high commissioners a carefully prepared
argument in favor of free paper and free
pulp. The following is a syllabus Of the
argument:
The directors Of the American News
paper Publishers association, represent
ing 157 daily newspapers OF the United
States and representing the bulk of the
total consumption OF print paper. are
In favor OF the free paper and free pulp.
The tariff OF Sc per ton on print paper
r. prohibitory. and we believe that the
rate Of $1.61 per ton for mechanically
ground wood-pulp If excessive; that the
American paper manufacturers need no
protection. because they can manufac-
ture paper cheaper than Is lone in any
other part OF the world. and that they
are now supplying the Australian. Jap
anese and British markets in competi-
tion with Swedish and German manu-
facturers; that no print paper is
brought into the United States. but that
during h last year the export has ave-
ragged over loo tons per week and that
h entire revenue received from the i'm
portation OF mechanically ground wood
pulp was only Sal. 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 ST. per ton
by reason OF their proximity TO their
customers. The difference in the cost
of transportation to market IL their
great guarantee OF security against Ca
NADIA OF any foreign country. They
are also protected by reason OF their
ability TO obtain cheaper and more con-
venient supplies OF coal and chemicals
which, as yet. are not obtainable I'm the
Canadian forests.
In January. 1855. all the big and
profitable paper mills of the United
States, with few unimportant keep
TONS. were merged into the Interna-
tional Paper company. a combination
that absorbed "a mills, producing about
30 per cent. of the American output.
This corporation or trust was capital
ized upon a basis OF $50, 000, 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. The
combination was really formed TO pro-
tect the proprietors whose mills were in
Io1a VI oh NhaA WIZ
running dry. Every mill owner who
entered hat trust invited a withdrawal
OF government favor. Excessive and i'm
proper prices were paid for many mills
that were located on exhausted water
courses and that were tributary to de-
nuded timber tracts.
The organizers OF the trust frankly
admitted at the outset that its COM
mon stock represented no investment.
yet a dividend of I per cent. on the
common stock was declared In Novem-
Der. payable Dec. 81. 1898. This common
stock Is now quoted on Wall street at
so. A circular based on information
from officers OF the International Paper
company showed that in July the trust
was making a profit of $40 a ton on its
output The entire output of this cor
poration, representing 1920 tons per
day OF theoretical capacity, could be
reproduced by a present investment OF
SIS. 900. 900. so that the American con-
sumers OF newspapers are forced to pay
dividends upon an inflated and wholly
valuation OF at least $40. 600. 900.
after the organization OF
the trust IL raised the price of paper
wherever possible. In three cases IL
raised its price $40 per ton and has ave-
ragged an Increase of s. per ton on its
daily output OF l.t20 tons. equaling an
increased tax of s.. l3o. 900 per annum
h newspapers OF the country.
which 10Y pay a total exceeding 500
GOO. 900 per annum for their paper sup
ply.
The present consumption OF pulp
wood by the pulp and paper mills OF the
United States. including manila, book
n writing. Is stated at 1000, 900 cords
annum. which consumption requires
the entire stripping OF pulp timber on
SIS sQuar miles per annum. Our spruce
wood supply is limited. We therefore
that the commission shoul take
of the present opportunity
and Immediately secure "A sufficient sup
ply OF spruce freed from tariff compli-
The enlightened policy OF New
York and other states in protecting for
ests should be encouraged by putting
pulp and paper on the free
list. Every increase OF a quarter cent
per pound In the price Of
adds s34. ooo. 900 to the value OF the trusts
securities"