The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-09-27
TO WAR ON THE
PAPER TRUST.
Association Will ASK That Duty BE
Taken on.

Taken on.
After long discussion covering all
phases of the white paper situation the
members of the American Newspaper
Publishers Association voted in resolu-
ton at a meeting in the Waldorf-Asto-
ria recently to take steps to obtain re-
lief, and if necessary to fight for it,
maintaining that illegal conditions make
the cost of paper high.
The me citing was special one, called
by the president, Herman Ridder, pub
Usher of the New York State Zeitung,
and was largely attended.
The white paper situation was de-
scribed by one of . the members as the
most important topic in present day
newspaper economics, and vital one in
the future of the newspapers of the
country. Prices of the paper, it was
declared, have been constantly advanc-
ing recently, until in some instances
newspapers, once profitable investments
are now losing ones.
Wholesale rates to newsdealers, it
was added, are now in many instances
no more, and in some instances less
than the publisher pays for the paper
upon which newspapers are printed.
OOiilG VI Tic BIGdL paper NOllCGluS dIC
not quoting prices at all, telling would
be purchasers there is no paper to be
had. Production has practically stop
ped. One authority pointed out that
the price of newspaper had advanced
$12 ton since 1904.
The publishers declare this stringency
is not due alone to deforstation and the
failure to secure adequate amounts of
the pulp from which the paper is made,
but to combines among certain manu-
facturers to keep prices up. That is
the end toward which one phase of the
fight is to be pitched if warfare be-
comes Necessary.
The other is to reduction in the tar
if on wood pulp and paper from Cana
da. The publishers plan to carry their
contest to the President and the Depart
ment Of Justice, maintaining that there
exists against them combinations in re-
straint of trade.
The committee on paper made an eX
tensive report, which formed the basis
of the discussion. This committee con-
ssts of Don G.. Seitz, of The World;
John Norris, of the New York Times,
and COnde Hamilton, formerly of the
st. Paul Pioneer Press. There were
many speeches, IN which members re-
lated their experiences in the effort to
obtain paper, and the price walls that
seemed to be eretced against them.
This resolution was adopted amid APP
plause:
In view Of the information sui nit
ted to the American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association by its Committee on
Paper, indicating that unlawful combi-
nations Of paper makers have been
organized recently; that a1tlficialstimu
lation Of prices has been accomplished,
and that Judicial prohibition of such eff
forts has been dissolved.
The American Newspaper Publishers
Association hereby instructs its Com
mittee on Paper to invite the attention
of the President and Department of
Justice to these movements, which we
regard as conspiracies in restraint of
trade. and we give these instructions
to the committee in order:
First-That the authority of the ex-
listing statutes for repression of trade
combinations may be invoked:
Second-That the defiance of recent
judicial action prohibiting participation
in such combination by certain Western
mills may be punished
And that the President may be put in
possession of information which shall
equip him to advise Congress Of the
abuse of tariff powers by paper max
ers.
This resolution followed:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
meeting that the duty on printing pa
per, wood pulp and all material enter
ing into the manufacture of printing
paper be Immediately repealed.
This resolution, having significant !
bearing upon the first, was also passed |
Resolved. That the membership of |
the ASSOCIATION pledge themselves to an |
adequate assistance for legal counsel !
and other expenses in assisting the |
government in any prosecution that
may be undertaken, and that the ex
ecutive committee be instructed to /
gather information and raise such funds |
as may be required.
Among those who discussed the white !
paper situation were Messrs. Seitz and
Norris, John II. Fahey, of the Boston !
Traveller; A. J. Blethen, of the Seattle |
Times, and several representatives of
Canadian papers.
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Gen. EObt. Z. Lee.