The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-08-08
THE COST OF a NEWSPAPER.


will generally read it, with
more or less interest. But When
the same editor writes concern
ing his own affairs and inter
ests it is frequently skipped or
read carelessly. THE COMMON
WEALTH, in one way or an
other, tries every week to print
something that concerns its
subscribers in a general way,
and says little about it's own
interest; but this time we feel
impelled to write about the
cost of making q newspaper, a
thing concerning which the
average reader has no real con-
ception. We earnestly ask
every one of our regular sub
scribers to read what we here
have to say, as a matter of cor
rect information, to say moth
ing of the justice of an editors
telling of his efforts and ex-
pense in his service to the pub
lie.
To begin with, an editor has
to run his business on a practi-
cally cash basis. Printers have
to be paid weekly; supplies
have to be paid for at least
monthly; freights and express
charges have to be paid when
supplies are delivered; postage
has to be paid weekly; and
many other items of expense
have to be paid daily. So, a
subscriber who takes the paper
with the request that it be sent
a year before he pays for it
may see how hard a thing he is
asking of the editor.
Then there is no other bust
ness which is more affected by
the strenuous times and prices
than the newspaper and print
ing business.
Prices in printers wages
have advanced as much during
the past few years as for any
other kind of labor. Prices on
all prin ting material have been
constantly advancing for some
time; and editors and printers
almost at stated periods receive
cards from their furnishing
paper dealers stating that af-
ter certain date the price on
certain paper goods will be
advanced certain per cent.
We now remember that some
months ago we purchased a
quantity of a certain kind of
supplies and when we needed
more we ordered a duplicate
supply. When the goods
reached us they were billed at
considerable advance. The
advance was SO great we wrote
to the paper dealer calling
attention to the difference be-
tween the price charged for that
shipment and the former ship
ment. He replied that the price
on the goods was advanced a
certain per cent. on a certain
previous date and called our
attention to a notice of the
change he had sent us some time
before.
Quoting from the Richmond
News-Leader we give the OBJ
servation of Editor Peck,
an observant publisher in New
York State. He says.
cit was not unusual a year
ago to buy white paper for 81
25 to $3.50 per hundred. The
lowest recent quotation 1 have
heard was $2.85, and a paper
man told me less than two
weeks ago that he would soon
be asking 1926. The Monotypit
makes the startling statement
that the cost of both body and
job type has advanced 100 per
cent. since 1899, giving prices
then and now to support it's
assertion. The standard of
Typography has risen, too, and
the public demands a keeping
up with new face and new bord-
ers, ornaments, ETC., more than
ever before.
"In 1899 100 pounds or more
of s-point type could be bought
at 20 cents. To-day it costs 60
cents, less 2 per cent. for cash.
When l bought the equipment
for the Era in the spring Of 1901
paid for 8-point AL cents per
pound net. To-day it would cost
663 cents per pound net. This