The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-05-30
Saturday, May 30, iD0s.
THE WOOD PULP INDUSTRY.

ne CONGRESSIONAL committee APP
pointed to inquire into the manufacture
OF print paper, with the view of deter
mining whether the duty on wood pulp
should be removed at this time in the
interest of cheaper paper for the use
of newspapers, has submitted two re-
ports. The majority report against any
reduction in the duty at this time, the
minority protesting and affirming the
existence OF trust acting in restraint
Of trade. This means Of course that the
whole matter win so over until a future
time when possibly the entire tariff
schedule may fall under the critical
consideration of congress.
The trouble with this controversy
from the first has been that II was born
of an exclusive interest in reduced
price for paper. SO long as the cost was
not excessive the moral phases of the
tariff were ignored. These newspapers
which have been radical in season and
out Of season upon the subject of the
protective tariff, and which have delug
ed their readers with arguments show
ing, or seeking to show the great ad-
vantages which have accrued from that
doctrine OF government paternalism,
were as silent as a tomb upon the sub
ject of wood pulp. The moment their
own pockets were touched by an in
crease in the cost of their raw ma
terial and finished product their shrieks
could be heard from one end of the
land TO the other. Whether the asser-
lions they have made are strictly true
or not can be judged from the report of
the majority, which denies most Of
them, If not all of them In any event
we are not concerned with the investi-
cation nor with its outcome. What does
both concern and amuse us are the in
jured feelings of newspapers which have
never before undertaken to relieve the
load heaped upon the general public by
the provisions of the protective tariff.
Everyone of them has from time to
time declared that the foreigner pays the
tax, while the community at home
reaps the reward of a fiscal policy
which assures us the victory whether
the coin shows heads or tails. They
have denied the statement that the pro-
tective tariff Is responsible for the
great trusts and combinations, or where
denial has been obviously ridiculous
they have argued that great combina-
ton were in the interest Of CONNER
cial progress and national development.
It IS impossible under these conditions,
which are a matter OF record, to feel
much moved at the tears they now
shed at the unwilllngness of congress to
give tHeIl fcilel.
In so far as the charge is concerned
that the making Of print paper Is In
the hands and under the control of a
trust, which on that account can charge
what it pleases for its product, 1t is
susceptible of proof In the courts with
out the assistance of congress. An ac-
ton complaining that the trust is be-
having in restraint of trade will soon
clear the atmosphere whether the duty
on wood pulp Is continued or not. The
Hartford Courant says: 1.-THE price Col
paper has been arbitrarily showed up
All hands have given It a shove. Com
petition has disappeared II that Is not
combination, what is it?" Taking that
to be q statement of fact, 1t Is in order
for the complaining newspapers to pro.
coed against the combination ane
break 1t. The law is quite sufficient foi
that purpose, If the facts are as alleg.
cd. The manufacturers of print paper
on the other hand while entering 3
general denial of that assertion, claim
that they are the victims of higher
prices for labor and for the wood the,
have to buy in the market. They asser
that even with the present rate O
prices, the companies do not enjoy al
excessive profit, while the use Of prin
paper have very considerably faller
since the increase in price went int
effect. 1t seems scarcely possible tina
the manufacturers are content with {
smaller output even with prices higher
They must know that the inevitable
consequence of high prices is reduc
ed output; and If that has come to b.
rood sense In the manufacture of prin
paper It is not good sense in the man
ufacture Of any other necessity Of life
1t ought to be easy under an actor
brought in the courts to ascertain VIVA