The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-05-06
PAPER INQUIRY PROGRESSING.
MIR. NORRIS CONTINUES ON THE
WITNESS STAND.
1t Is Brought Out That the Alleged
Sixty Million Dollars in the Price
Of Paper Relates to All Paper Con-
sumed. Not News Print Paper
Alone.


Washington, April 3O.-A mass of
data bearing on what is charged to
be a combination Of paper makers to
raise prices and restrict production
was furnished today by John Norris,
representing the American Newspaper
Publishers Association to the select
committee of the house, which is
conducting an investigation into the
subject Of the price of news print pa
per in the United States.
Gen. Felix Agnus of the Baltimore
American, who was also on the stand
today. testified regarding the various
contracts with paper manufacturers,
and also said that on January 1 last
he was forced by the International
Paper Company to pay $12 a ton
more for paper than he did last year.
He related conversation he had had
today with a representative Of the
International Company, in which, he
said. If the tariff on print paper was
removed he would be given a reduced
rate.
He read letter from the Berlin
Company saying that company had
plenty, and more than plenty, of pa
per to meet the demand for 1908,
but" the communication continued,
"due consideration, however, Of the
circumstances attending our negotia-
tions Of two years ago lead US to de-
cline toe even consider a contract with
the American newspapers" He ap-
piled to the Vernon Mills, and was
told the supply was all being spoken
for That nal had been soliciting his
business from time to time, he said,
but "all Of sudden 1t stopped" He
was satisfied from this, he declared,
that the paper makers had combined.
At the close of the days session
Chairman Mann stated that apparent
ly some OF the publishers were not so
anxious to attend the hearing as they
originally appeared6 10 be. but said
that he would force their presence
and secure their testimony.
Mr.. Mann today put into the rec
ord letters received by him from the
International Brotherhood Of Pulp,
Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers. and
DR.. North. Of the census bureau. and
also kilograms from David s. Cowles,
president Of the American Paper and
Pulp Association, asking the oppor-
tunity to be heard. Both Mr.. North
and Mr.. Cowles stated that they de-
sire to deny certain statements made
by the Publishers Association.
do you claim as a matter of fact"
Mr.. Mann asked Mr.. Norris, that
the statement in Mr.. Redder's letter
OF March 4, 1908, to President Roose-
Welt, in which he said there was
practically combination to put an
additional burden Of $6O.OOO.OO0 per
annum upon the printing and publish
ing interests is true?"
"Yes. sir" the witness responded,
and answering a further question said
that the news print paper represented
the great bulk Of the paper made.
"You don't figure the blotting pa
per or wrapping paper as printing
and publishing paper, do you asked
Mr.. Mann.
The witness said that he did so
regard them.
How about wall paper?"
Mr.. Norris replied that it was in
tended to include all consumers in
the advance, and he put the question
to Mr.. Mann If he thought it material
whether the $6O.OOO.OOO increase
planned was confined to the printing
or publishing business, or confined to
paper consumers.
II think 1t Is extremely material"
Mr.. Mann replied as to whether this
$60.O00,O00 burden is one thing or
everything In the United States.
Mr.. Norris said that II 1t related to
paper makers who are In combina-
ton. "and who are In combination in
such ways that the taking Of their
machines off one kind Of paper and
putting htem on another affects the
whole business" It was a factor to
be considered.
Mr. Maor ro..-,, a.. 4, .