Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-01
RELATES HIS EXPERIENCE
Advance Adds 100000 a Year to
His Expenses.
COMMITTEE RESUMES HEARING
MI. Norris Says That Evidence of
Combine Has Been Furnished to
the Attorney General.

committee of the House investigating
wood pulp and paper He informed the
committee regarding steps taken to ac-
quaint the Attorney General with the ex-
istence of a paper manufacturers pool.
and submitted for the private information
o. the committee copy Of the allegations
made by the publishers embodying the
names of thirty-six persons who had
knowledge of the matters complained of.
Those persons, he declared were not will
ing witnesses Mr.. Norris said, further
that practically all the dence he had
furnished the committee had long ago
been placed in the hands of the Attorney
| General. Il doubt he said. IF IL was
even read.
Mr.. Norris put in evidence a resolution
from a labor union representing 100000
men, expressing their hearty sympathy
with the movement OF the publishers
against the paper makers.
Rate Changed Chicago Papers.
Medill Mccormick. publisher of the
Chicago Tribune. disclosed to the COM
mittee that under a five-year contract
with the International Paper Company
| he was now. paying 1920 per 100 for pa
per- The contract still has one year to
run. although the price during the time
Of it's existence has been gradually in
creased from $ls5. His purchases. he
said. amount to 1900 or lo.COo tons
year. No one. he said. had approached
him regarding his paper supply for next
year.
Replying to query by Mr.. Stafford. Mr.
Mccormick said that so far as his knowl-
edge went the Chicago Record-Heraid and
the News are paying the same price as
| the Tribune. The Hearst papers were
getting at ssa than
over $50 With the exception of that
going to the last named publication. he
said. the paper was all supplied by the
International Company.
Under rigid examination by Mr.. Mil
Ter. Mr.. Mccormick testified that shortly
before making his last contract with the
International Company he had bought
Subsequently through a travelling repre-
sentative the Watertown company asked
to be relieved of its contract. and on the
same day within an hour an agent of the
ONCE and asked for the contract. He
said he went to New York in the company
Of both gentlemen and the contract with
the WATERFOWL company was cancelled as
requested. He could not explain how it
happened that the two agents were in
Chicago at the same time.
Did you suspect any collusion?" Mr..
Mann asked.
suspect the WATERFOWL Company agent.
but he said. II made up my mind that
the Watertown people had been badly
frightened by the International people.
and remember had a rather angry in
terview in which / told him he had
'ditched' me-"
At this point the committee entered
into an informal discussion to the
port. In the opinion of Mr.. Stafford the
recommendation OF the committee would
be followed by the Houee. ~.
Effect of the Stevens Bill.
Continuing his testimony Mr.. McCor-
mick declared. in answer to a question by
Mr.. Sims, that the passage of the Ste
VEINS bin removing the duty on wood
pulp and print paper.wouid effect the re-
lief sought.
T Speaking Of the increased price of pa
per Mr.. Mccormick said 1t meant an addi-
tional outlay by him of 100000 yea.
He added that II the committee would
look into the condition of some of the
smaller publishers they would find that
in many instances men who after years
Of hard work had buil- up good living
had lost that living.
In the opinion of Mr.. Mccormick the
emergency Of the. case fully justified i'm
mediate action by Congress without going
| into general revision of the tariff.
Some amusement was created at Mr..
mick had taken his departure from the
room. 1t was discovered that he had not
been sworn Mr. Mann. however. COM
fortsd himself with the statement that
Mr.. Mccormick appeared only in an ad-
visory capacity. anyway.
Agreement Of Manufacturers.
Again taking the stand, MIR. Norris
placed in evidence a number Of clippings
from paper trade journals showing that
| writing paper manufacturers in 1907 had
agreed on a scale of increased prices. as
the result Of combinations. understand
ings and arrangements.
Well" said Mr.. Mann. at this point.
when call of the House was ordered,
your ally demands our presence
II think" said MIR. Miller. your ally
is little afraid we are going to report
at this session of Congress.
II am afraid remarked Mr. Norris
The has no such apprehension"
He is doing his best to hinder it,"
said Mr.. Mann.
A recess until o'clock was then taken
Yesterday Afternoons Session.
Upon resuming the hearing yesterday
afternoon. Gen. Agnus. speaking of the
increase in the price of paper from 81 80
to $3.50 exclaimed: why. men Of this
country know what that means. 1t is
more than a gold mine The diamond
mines Of Kimberley don't compare to it,"
-
fishers had been caught by the throat
and forced to pay. that great increase,
which almost prevents them from making
a profit at all.
Gen. Agnus testified that Mr. Weller of
the International Paper company only
yesterday had told him that il the tariff
were to be removed he would be able to
give him relief In the matter of prices
Gen. Agnus also said that he was at
the present time being solicited by Ca
madam paper mill for his business
When Mr.. Norris again took the stand
he offered in evidence a mass of clippings
from newspapers and paper trade jour
nails designed. as he said. to explain why
the publishers had been Influenced in
making statements with respect to COM
binations. These were mostly Of date
1907. The challenge. he contended. was
distinctly thrown down to the publishers
that there would be an increase in the
price of news print paper. through an
editorial of March IA. 1907 in the Paper
Trade Journal.
rs that evidence of a threat?" Mr..
Mann inquired. '.or Just statement of
their side?
Distinctly a challenge" the witness
replied. which assertion. he said. was
borne out by the announcement that
paper was going TO 3 cents a pound. and
that 1T would be two years before news
papers could get themselves in shape to
break a combination of that character
In Standard Oil Building.
One, OF the clippings referred to Mr..
Hanrahan Of % Broadway, New York.
q ha wing had something to do with FORM