Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02
WAGES OF PAPER MEN
Labor Cost Of the Product
Shown.
NORRIS SUBMITS FIGURES
Denies the Claims of the Manu-
facturers.
PAY IN OTHER INDUSTRIES
Statement of the Attorney General
Regarding Evidence Furnished
for Prosecution.
NORRIS SUBMITS FIGURES
PAY IN OTHER INDUSTRIES

According to figures submitted today by
John Norris. representing the American
Newspaper Publishers Association, to the
select committee of the House on wood
pulp and paper investigation regarding
the increased labor cost per ton of paper
produced, the increase amounted to but %
cents a ton. In spite of statements of
the paper men to the contrary. he said,
his calculation was correct, and, yet, he
charged, the paper makers had put on an
increased price of So ton. alleging that
the increase was due to the higher cost
of labor. In the case of the Hudson river
mill Mr.. Norris presented data showing
that, even though the mill changed from
"a two to a three tour basis, the cost of
production of paper actually had been re-
duced 81. 13 ton. 1t was, he said, mat
ter about which he had personal knowl-
edge.
Wages Of Paper Workers.
Mr.. Norris. replying to questions by
Mr.. Mann, gave evidence showing that
the average wage of union paper work.
ers in the state of New York for the
: third quarter of 1906 was 5000 a week,
which he said was very low.
Z He would not enter into discussion
: with Mr.. Mann as to the latter's sugges-
tfon that it appeared to be about time
the wages should be increased.
Answering Messrs. Ryan and Bannon.
the witness said that his wage calcula-
tons had reference to union helpers.
workers and skilled laborers. exclusive of
Massachusetts,, he said. the average
weekly wage for 1905 was $3.50. and this
/, figure took into account employees of all
! classes and sexes. including those under
yAr1fyy Of
In further refutation of the claim of the
paper manufacturers regarding the high
cost Of labor. Mr.. Norris read from re-
ports of the United States bureau of labor
from which it appeared that there was a
decrease in the pay of paper workers in
1905. as compared with 1905, and that
paper working was the only industry that
was decreased
taken place In the wage scale of the
paper workers, Mr.. Norris offered statis-
tics for the year 1900, which fixed the
paper production at 2,7S2,21 tons at an
1906. he said, the 65964 paper workers in
the United States received an average
wage Of 1892 per week
Some people say that protection in
creAseS the wages of the working people
Of the United States. remarked Mr.. Ryan,
one of the democratic members of the
committee, but Mr.. Norris would not per-
NIT himself to be drawn into a discussion
of that question.
Further disputing the claims of the pa
per makers as to the wages paid Mr..
Norris presented in evidence official sta
tistics regarding the printing and binding
group which. he said, were receiving 70
per cent more wages than were being
paid to the paper workers.
At this juncture adjournment was taken
until Monday at 10 am.
Evidence Not Sufficient.
The afternoon session yesterday was
opened with the reading by Mr.. Norris
Of a letter dated November Ii. 1907, from
Attorney General Bonaparte. stating that
the evidence presented to him falls far
, skort Of establishing the fact of COM
! bination in restraint Of trade" but that
he would be glad to have any data which
would assist him in uncovering the facts
in the case
Your claim" Mr.. Mann said, resuming
his questioning of Mr.. Norris, which had
been interrupted by the recess. that the
advance is in part caused by an artificial
combination, that there is an artificial
price, that 1t is fostered by the tariff.
and you think we ought to recommend
q removal of the tariff; but suppose it
should appear that the enhancement in
by the actual increase in cost Of material
or labor, and not by reason of a COM
bination, do you think, then, we ought
to recommend a removal of the tariff?'
Mr.. Norris answered that that was such
an impossible hypothesis that he could
not give an answer that would clearly
state his mind. He said the publishers
would substantially rest their whole prop
osition upon the fact that there not only
was combination, but that the prices
which were being charged were absolutely
without justification. The statements of
the manufacturers. he said. as to the cost
. OF production were absolutely untrue.
AS / understand it." Chairman Mann
remarked, you don't think we would be
JUSTIFIED In recommending a removal Of
the tariff If we should believe in the end
that there was no combination to arti-
fcially advance the price. but that the
price was due solely to normal and nat
ural conditions"
Mr.. Norris insisted that he had fur
nished evidence which would justify the
committee in making further inquiries
The burden of proof has been shifted
Free Paper Only Remedy.
Answering a suggestion by Mr.. Sims
that even II the facts stated were true
. the courts would not be able to deal with
the situation, Mr. Norris said that the
full measure of relief desired by the pub
fishers could not be obtained without the
removal Of the tariff.
Mr.. Norris also gave testimony showing
the existencefo of a box board pool. which.
he said. collapsed April ! Of the present
year. when prices fell eight to ten dollars
a ton Since then, he said. there had
been an extremely lively competition in
that line.
The witness elaborated his former state
ments. refuting the claim of the paper
makers that the increased price of paper
was due to higher wages for labor and
furnished evidence showing that paper
workers are paid less per week than the