Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-03
THE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER.
Some Interesting Statistics Gathered by
n Census Expert.

Census Expert.
William S. Rossiter, of New York.
expert special agent Of the Census Bu-
reau, has prepared report Of unusual
interest on printing and publishing in
the United States in the last decade.
The statistics he has gathered show
that there has been no radical change
in the gathering of news or in the man.
agement and scope of daily news
papers. One characteristic of the de-
cade, however, was the great increase
in the quantity of news published.
Partly because of the ambitious and
progressive spirit Of the PERIOD" says
Mr.. Rossiter, "and partly because of
the lavish expenditures of capital made
by reorganized or newly established
publications in order to break into the
patronage of prosperous competitors
and secure foothold, the dailies of the
great cities became the purveyors of
the news of the world to an extent
never before attempted. In many cases
especially in New York Clty-it was
freely admitted that this expenditure
was carried beyond the boundaries of
business prudence"
There were no less than 22,312 estab-
lishments In the United States engaged
In vacious lines of printing and pub
fishing in June, 1900, when the census
was taken.
Their aggregate capital was $780,
517 ,072, and the value Of their total an
nual output, $341, ,055,050. The figures
of the report from which we quote
cover all concerns which publish books.
newspapers and even those that do
job printing.
A distinct division, however, is made
between newspaper enterprises, with a
total of S16s,93O,707, or 4s.3 per cent.
of all, and the general publishing busi-
ness, or S175, 7S9,61O, or 51.7 per cent.
1t will be seen that the value of the
newspaper product Of the country Is
nearly equal to that Of all other kinds
of our publishing combined.
The people of the United States pay
far more for newspapers than for
books. The census brings to light
many very interesting facts concerning
the wonderful growth of the newspaper
business of the country.
While the number of newspapers has
not increased in the last two years as
it did in the Immediately preceding de-
cade, the total newspaper circulation is
greater and continues to grow i'm
mensely. The reason is easy to see.
The great and successful newspapers
are reaching out at an unprecedented
rate, while weaker and less interesting
ones are failing
The newspapers devoted to news top
ics and general reading are increasing
in their business steadily while those
devoted to special interests are losing
circulation.
There was in June, 1900, an average
of one daily newspaper sold to every
family, two weeklies and two month.
lies. In New York the average was
four dailies to every family in that
community.
The total consumption of printing
paper during the census year was one
and one-quarter billion pounds, or G25,-
900 tons. This affords the best oppor-
tunity to compare the newspaper and
the book publishing business. OF the
paper used, TIC per cent. went for
newspapers, 16.4 per cent. for books
and periodicals and six per cent. for
job printing; in other words, the news
papers turned out five times as much
reading matter as all the books and
magazines together.
1t will be seen that the average
American gets five-sixths of his read
ing from newspapers.
This is one Of the many reasons why
all the great advertisers in the United
States rely upon newspapers rs the
best means Of reaching the public and
increasing their sales.