Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-29
Norris Resumes Testimony
Before House Committee.
LETTERS FROM PUBLISHERS
Evidence to Show the Existence of
Trust.
A MANUFACTURER DISCIPLINED
Organization Of the New Sulphite
Pulp Association and It's Al
legged Object.

Upon resuming his testimony today be-
fore the select committee of the House
investigating the price of print paper,
John Norris Of the New York Times fur
nished the committee with data showing
that H. G.. Craig & Co. controlled the out
put of seven Independent mills. Until
these mills were combined into one selling
agency. Mr.. Norris said. there was no
concentration of control Of news print
paper mills. Responding to a series OF
questions from Chairman Mann. Mr.. Nor
ris said that the mills controlled by Craig
& Co. did not undertake to make sales
independently.
"Is it your claim" Mr.. Mann asked.
that all these mills agree upon price
which H. G. Craig & Co carry out. or aft
err conference that they decide upon the
price which they carry out, SO that there
is no variation in price, no competition?'
THE claim of the publishers the wit
ness replied. lis that in some way, either
by direction of Craig & Co. or by ar
raCeement with them. a common price
Is agreed on among all the mills"
Indications of a Trust.
Several original letters from publishers
were put in evidence giving indications
of the existence of paper trust One
Of these was written in November, 1907,
by V. S. McClatchy. publisher of the
Evening Bee, Sacramento. Cal. who spoke
Of contract he had with the Willamette
mill for paper at $3.50 per hundred, but
which price was raised to $3.50 at the
expiration of the contract. At the same
time Mr.. McClatchy said he had a bid
vaadhottor IA ~
Columbia River Paper Company for %
f. o. b. Portland. which would mean $3.50
at Sacramento. but that prior to the
operation Of the mill it was provided
that the paper would be furnished by the
Crown Columbia mills.
From these Crown-Columbia mills"
Mr.. McC1atchy wrote, we had at times
been supplied with paper under the Will
lamette contract, as there was some sort
OF working agreement between the two. -
The result was. he said. that the VILLA
mette people objected, and Mr. Ieadbetter
asked permission to fill his contract from
eastern mills. which was granted, and for
some time he was sup piled by the Rhine
lander (Wis) mills. Mr.. Leadbetter pay
ing 10 cents per 100 more than his con-
tract price. He was thus apparently
disciplined" said Mr.. McClatchy. for
having interfered to take from Willamette
customer whom they regarded as their
own"
paper companies refused to make quota
lions Mr.. Norris placed in evidence a
number OF letters from paper manufac-
turers in response to requests for prices.
WAS that because they did not have
any paper on hand to meet the demand Of
the Newspapers Mr.. Stafford inquired.
1T shows" replied Mr.. Norris. that In
some way which we have not yet uncov-
cred It was part of program by which
they would not make quotations.
Most of the letters were dated June or
July, 1907.
Su1phite Pulp Association.
AS part of the formulation of the tes-
timony with respect to combinations Of
the various groups of papermakers, Mr.
Norris at this point put In evidence list
of officers and bylaws of the New Sui
phite Pulp Association, which were pub
lished November q. 1907. These bylaws
provided for the tabulation of a monthly
confidential report on tonnage, agreed
prices. names Of buyers. terms of con-
tracts. etc. The association, he said, had
been In the habit Of holding meetings at
the Hotel Astor. New York. at which
prices were fixed. These new bylaws
said Mr.. Norris, "were devised. so we
charge and expect to prove. Immediately
following the complaints of the publish
ers, and in order that this association
might come within the federal statutes"
Responding to a question by Mr.. Mann.
proportion sulphite pulp was made by
news print paper manufacturers for
themselves. He thought, however. that
most Of the news print manufacturers did
make their own sulphite pulp. 'Our con-
tention is" said he, that to the extent
that the sulphite pulp association fixed the
price for the market 1t did affect the cost
of material entering into news print
paper"
The witness was unable to state the
amount of sulphite pulp manufactured in
Canada.
When at 1880 o'clock three bells an
nounced that there was no quorum in the
House. Mr.. Mann remarked: well. Mr..
Norris, you may suspend. We are again
interrupted in the midst of the hearing
by the demand In the House for the
senseless roll call. We are required to go
over to the Capitol, all Of us in order to
make quorum"
recess thereupon was taken until 2
o'clock.
Vain Appeal to Republicans.
John Sharp Williams Of Mississippi
floor leader OF the House democrats. had
a little round table lugged on to the floor
of the House this afternoon and pen and
ink placed on it. Then he took his stand
beside the table and exhorted, in real old
fashioned way. the republicans Of the
House to step up and join with the dem
ocrats in signing a petition to the Speaker
to permit consideration Of the Stevens
bill to remove the duty on wood pulp and
print paper.
"Only thirty republicans cried Mr.
Williams. I'VE only need thirty. Won't
thirty republicans, thirty serious repub-
licans please step forward and sign this
petition?'
Mr.. Williams exhortation was in vain,
however. for not a republican moved. He
left the table, the pen. the ink well and
the petition, signed exclusively by demo-
Gratis, lying on the table the rest of the
afternoon in the vain hope that some re-
publican, more bold than his fellows
would stray from the fold and sign it.
Yesterday Afternoons Session.
At the opening OF the afternoon session
yesterday Chairman Mann read a letter
which he had caused to be addressed to
all the members of the House asking II
they have any constituents who are users
or manufacturers CT wood pulp or print
paper and saying that II they have the
committee would be glad to hear from
them regarding the effect Of the tariff on
the psice of paper: whether they have any
knowledge OF a combination or conspiracy
to control prices or any other facts they
may have bearing on the case.
Mr. Mann then read a communication
from Melville E. Stone, secretary and
general manager of the Associated Press
dated April 81. 1903. transmitting an ad-
dress adopted at the annual meeting Of
t~A> H. n