New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
NOT DUE TO THE TARIFF.
HUGH ]. CHISHOLM EXPLAINS THE RISE
IN THE PRICE OF PAPER.

Recent advances in the prices Of paper have
caused many persons to renew the argument that
if it were not for the protective tariff American
paper unanufa -turers would not be able to demand
so much for their product The International
PAPER Company is one Of The largest manufacturers
OF paper IN the world and Tribune reporter yes
terday asked Hugh J. Chisholm, its president, TO
throw some light upon the question. Mr. Chisholm
said. among other things.
The tariff on news paper is practigaIy the same
ing which period the price or paper mas gone
prices began 10 advance for reasons which I will
explain The tariff on paper and pup under me
Dinghy biIl that into effect in 1897 was prac-
ticaIIy the same as that under the Wilson bin that
went into effect IN $50 faereL0T I7 mere n % nd
to the recent advance. Duty on news paper valued
met met a a T bound f9s or tons o AS two
pound is the present price Of the bulk OF news
Of three-tenths OF one cent a pound or Sc ton is
only Is per cent upon the value of paper
This is very much lower than the average duty
on p'neT an i1i ba faCf is tbat the duty mas
ALWAYS been low paper, and the paper makers
have been satisfied that it should be low. The duty
S w Of o6 pulp d6 aH e6uB m oS o The d G
upon the normal value Of pulp IS ~ per cent, an
revenue tariff was in existence. there was scarcely
any duty less than 5 per cent ad valorem
GONE. UP WITH ALL OTHER PRODUCTS.
The simple facS is that the price Of paper has
advanced the same as almost every other comuod-
law Of supply and emand which has operated in
s well as in the case OF projected articles For
example the price OF sulphur on wnlca mere + =
duty and WHICH is largely used IN paper max
ing has increased greatly also OF rags ana many
similar varieties OF paper stock Wnlcn are imported
over has advanced in other countries quite much
today Selling at much higher prices in London
Paris and other European cities than II Is IA the
south African war has created an unwonted de-
cutie unable 10 meet and since there Is surplus
from any other country 70 relleVe Il lhere mas been
almost a paper famine.
There was great drouth in Norway and Sweden
last summer which seriously directed ne ,producI
are dependent almost wholly upon Scandinavia for
Iner PpR y cn2paiIed at the same time that the
demand was increasing. II would certainly there
in the United States simply the strength Of con
dtons PTevaIing IN .ns n 1his co1t- PSe
demand has increased. and the unprecedented
practically continued TO the present time 50 that
1t IS with great difGulLy mat me tenants 1or al
alone that has gone up In price but paper of every
yaTety IN been Even more marked than in news
paper mas '
COST OF PRODUCTION INCREASED
Could any one expect that the price Of paper
%gLID into the construction and maintenance OF
the mills have increased in value and whes the
PPredients and for mill supplies. Including sulphur
and coal and also ior the Lran5Port sIoh = MS
1TooT is affected by the industrial expansion since
he mas TO pay more for the labor employed In cut
ting the timber. The general level Of wages in
paper mills is higher ct this time than i has been
FOR twenty-five years; and higher in the United
states than in any other country.
The International Paper Company cannot be con-
stdaTeJ \ monopoly since only thirty-two ont OF
over one thousand paper and pulp mills IN this
raw ma teriaI OF water power. which is the most
important factor in making paper. after raw
material The price OF paper at the time move
Tnsnt was set foot for the formation OF the
IntarrarionaI Paper Company. about four years
go had reached q point where II Afforded no
aSeouate return upon the great amount OF capital
frrearad The company was Incorporated IN TarsI-
49, Isgs and not until few months ago was fha
avsraze price OF It's product advanced above the
after its formation. II any one thinks that the
International Paper Company IS a monopoly and
MAKING in1proper profits, he can buy open marker
any day stock OF the company at much lower
nrics than II would be possible 70 dupfca r. ne
property OF the company for. and could tins ret
his share OF the PROFITS OF tbs alleged monopoly