The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-08
WILL IF ACCOMPLISH ANYrHrNes

WILL IT ACCOMPLISH ANYTHrNes
 The resolutions introduced In the House by Speaker Cannon directing the administration to look into and report what, if anything has been done by the proper departments looking to- wards dealing with and suppressing the paper trusts and combines ought to produce some results. if carried out in good faith. We do not know. exactly what the Speakers reasons were for taking the steps as it looks like an al- most direct reflection on the adminis- tration. but that Is not so material as is the fact that something of the kind is needed.
 The present high prices for print pa- per are vftally affecting the newspa- per business all over the country. From the great city dallies using tons of white paper each week to the small country weeklies all are injuriously af- fected by it. Part of this unfavorable condition of affairs is due to the fast diminishing supply of raw material at home and part to the high tariff on ini- ported paper and wood pulp. The former difficulty cannot be removed unless q new material can be found which will cheapen the cost of manu- facture. If the import duties on wood pulp and white paper were abolished 1t would be a great relief to publishers and would soon bring down the price of print paper to a reasonable figure. Whether those duties will be removed Is a question for the future to decide
 But neither the diminishing supply of paper stock nor the tariff Is wholly responsible for the unreasonable prices now prevailing for what has become one of the absolute necessities of the age. It is largely due to the tariff protected Paper Trust and manufac- turers' combination. about the exist ence and influence of which there can be no doubt. Through the operations and domination of these unholy agen- cies they are enabled to fix their own prices for print paper. Hiding behind the tariff wall which virtually shuts off competition they are sucking the blood from the newspaper publishers of the country and these have no redress. They must have paper or go out of business, and they must pay whatever prices the trusts establish.
 That is the condition of affairs now and it will grow worse as it has been doing regularly for months unless a remedy is found. If the resolution of Mir. Cannon Is adopted and acted on what relief will it bring? Suppose the various departments of the government fespond and send in reports of what has been done. or what Is being done. how is that to lower the price of print paper? There is a great deal of blow ing on the part of the administration and it's packers about suppressing the trusts but nothing comes of 1t. Even if 1t is proven that there is a paper trust and combination of manufac- lures to bleed the publishers will the administration break it up7 We seri- cusly dauht 4f-it will even attempt it at least. until after the election.
 But admitting that the improbable comes to pass. and that the govern ment actually and completely sup presses the combination 1t will. only give partial relief as long as the pres ent tariff continues to protect and in- duce high prices. If these trusts can be entirely put out of business. and then if white paper and wood pulp are put on the free list there will be gem uine relief for the newspaper business. but not otherwise. -.---
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