The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-09-27
TO WAR ON THE
PAPER TRUST.
Association win AJAX That Duty q,
Taken On.

TAKEN On.
After long discussion covering I'll
phases Of the white paper situation the
members Of the American Newspaper
Publishers Association voted in resolu.
ton at meeting in the Waldorf-Asto-
ria recently to take steps to obtain re-
lief, and IL necessary TO fight for il,
maintaining that illegal conditions make
the cost of paper high.
The MEETING 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.
Some of the great paper concerns are
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
comes necessary.
The other IS to a reduction in the tar
i'll 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-
sists of Don G. Seitz, of The World;
John Norris, of the New York Times,
and Condo 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: ENF
In view of the information submit
ted to the American Newspaper Pub
lisher's Association by its Committee on
Paper, indicating that unlawful combi-
nations Of paper makers have been
organized recently; that artificial stimu-
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 H. Fahey, Of the Boston
Traveller; A. j. Blethen, of the Seattle
Times, and several representatives Of
Canadian papers.