The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-26

Wv In prospect an examination
into the affairs OF the paper
trust to determine whether or not II y.
as alleged by the American Newspaper
Publishers Association. a combination
In restraint OF trade and maintaining
monopoly of the print paper supply
on the United States, was begun to-
by Speaker Cannon, whose chairman
Is Representative James r. Mann. OF
Illinois, and the other members Of
which are Representatives Miller, OF
Kansas; Bannon: OF Ohio: Stafford. OF
Wisconsin,: Sims. OF Tennessee, and
Ryan. Of New York.
Representatives OF committee OF
fifty appointed by the American News
paper Publishers Association arrived
in Washington to-day In response to a
telegram sent yesterday by Chairman
Mann to President Hermann Ridder. Of
the association. and General Manager
Melville e. Stone. of the Associated
Press. inviting testimony.
The delegation from the committee
appeared before the investigation body
at o'clock to-day. and the presenta-
tion OF the publishers case was at once
begun by Mr.. John Norris. business
manager OF the New York Times.
Aggregation of Law-Breakers.
I'VE appear said Mr. Norris. "as
representatives OF substantially all tho
daily newspapers of the United States.
We consume at least so per cent. of the
news print paper used in the United
States. we appear here as representa-
tiveE of the seventh largest industry
In the country. an industry that has
been inenaced by an extraordinary ag-
sregation OF law-breakers."
Mr.. Norris declared that his associa-
ton had appealed to the President, tn,
Department Of Justice and Con gress for
immediate relief, and for four months
had been asking an opportunity to tell
their story to Congress.
In reply, he said. his. association had
been told at least. twenty times and IN
various ways that they could not look
for any relaxation of the expressions
which the paper-makers, "as the OBJ
jec,s OF congressional favor had I'M
posed upon the vast public interests "
the country, and that Congress would
not aid US at, this time in correcting a
gross public wrong" Therefore. he
said, the association was apprehe psiv.
that the investigation because 1t iad
been started so late In the session. could
have only one meaning-"delay, post
ponement and continuance for an
other year OF conditions which are in
tolerable.''
|, Mr.. Norris said that the association
did not intend any mistrust OF the COM
mittee's intentions, and he asked un-
der what program the committee will
proceed.
sso.ooo,coo More Pront.
Mr.. Norris asserted his ability ito
produce evidence OF broken promises
to Congress. OF deception practicad
upon you. oppression upon the public
wrongs to labor and damage to the
country without particle Of compen-
sating advantage We WILL" he con-
tnued, produce figures to prove our
assertion that the papermakers plan
to add ;so,ooooo per annuna to the
burdens Of the paper, consumers. May
we look for speedy action and swift
reprobation?"
Mr.. Norris said further that the as
ISOLATION intended to explain upon
what theory Congress should discrirni-
nate in favor OF newspapers and make
a correction Of the abuse upon print
paper consumers in advance OF an eff
fort to revise the entire tariff
Mr.. Norris then asked what was Il
be the range of the committees In.
}quirtes at the present stage OF the pro.
ceedings.
The association, Mr.. Norris declared
promised to satisfy the committee tina
there had been no material increase II
the labor cost OF paper per ton OF out
said, had been only artificial, "stimn
lated by the speculations of thes,
paper-makers.; and is without justin
alton" and that the annual report o
| the largest per-maker. disclosing al
increased cost of production OF onl,
1 81 cents per ton. gives no excuse fo
the rise of $l2 a ton in price or tha
Threatened additional increase of 81;
a ton making total addition OF So
a ton.
Used Canadian Labor.
+ Mr.. Norris also explained that tn,
increase was made blythe Internationa
Paper Company In the face ofannouncc
ment in 1907 that famine was du
1 Ing to schedule, famine that ha,
been foretold by paper salesmen AM
lpaper journals."s
The association promised to convinc,
the committee that they have gluttet
tho Canadian mills With orders aud hav,
continuously kept the Canadian labor
erss employed. while hound together t,
keep American labor In idleness unit
the demand for paper should increase
Mr., Norris further charged that on
company imported wood pulp from
Canada to the extent OF 1900 tons Il
1907. and used American machines I,
produce the paper for foreign use
"and collected its rebates OF dut,
from the United States treasury Will
1t was starving the American market,
The association, he said, would fur
ther show evidences OF high fnanc
and decentralization in the pApe
trade that exceed the performances o
any other Industry.
I'VE will show" he said. that thes
fnvorites aof Congress- have acted 4
bad faith"
When Congress granted the paper
makers a protection OF .nSdutyi OF IS
a, ton, on print paper. he said. the