New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-26
PAPER INQUIRY BEGUN
PUBLISHERS HEARD.
Their Side of the Case Presented by
John Norris.

Washington April 25.-The investigation OF the
wood pulp and print paper question. involving in
prospect examinat ton into the statement made
by the American Newspaper Publishers Associa-
tor that there is combination in restraint OF
trade and monopoly OF the print paper supply in
the United States, begun to-day by the COM
mittee appointed by Speaker Cannon, of which
Representative James Mann, of Illinois. is
chairman, and the other members are Representa-
tives Miller. of Kansas; Bannon of Ohio; Stafford,
of Wisconsin; Sims of Tennessee and Ryan, Of
New York.
Rerresentatis a committee of fifty appoint
ed by the American Newspaper Publishers Asso-
citation arrived in Washington to-day, in response
to telegraph dispatch yesterday by Chair
man Mann to President Ridder of the association
and Melville E. Stone general manager of The As
ISOLATED Press. inviting testimony. The delegation
appeared before the committee at O'Clock and
the presentation of the publishers
once begun by John Norris, business manager Of
The New York Times" I'VE appear said Mr..
Norris ''as representatives of substantially all the
daily newspapers OF the United States. We con-
sumo at least so per cent of the news print paper
used in the United States. We appear here
representatives of the seventh largest industry in
the country. industry that has been menaced
By extraordinary aggregation of Ia wbreakers'
Mr.. Norris declared that the association had ap-
pealed TO the President the Department of Justice
and Congress for imne date relief and for four
months had been asking an opportunity to tell its
story TO Congress. In reply, he said, the assocfa-
ton had been told least twenty times and in
various ways that 1t could not look for any relax
alton of the expressions which the paper makers
as the objects of Congressional favor had imposed
upon the public interests OF the country, and
that Congress would not aid this time in cor
recting a gross public wrong. Therefore, he said
the association feared that the investigation. be-
cause 1t had been begun so late in the session.
could have only meaning-'deIay. postpone
ment and continuance for another year of con-
ditons vhich intoIerabe."
We WILL he continued, produce figures to
prove assertion that the paper makers plan to
add $50. 10000 year TO the burdens of the paper
consumers. May look for speedy action and
swift reprobation?'
Mr.. Norris said further that the association in
tended to explain what theory Congress should
discriminate in favor of newspapers and correct
the abuse print paper consumers in advance OF
a effort revise the entire tariff.
ASKS ABOUT COURSE or PROCEDURE.
DO you intend" he said. ito the ground
of all the allied groups that comprise the seven
combinations OF paper manufa all Of which
or less interdependent? Shall We give to
you the minutes Of the fibre and manila support
ers half of whom agreed TO make news print paper
in our merchandise and who didn't? Shall hs
gin with the of The Baltimore publisher whose
price arbitrarily raised So of the
Bangor publisher who was made to put up s. %
a more because he within seven miles
Of d paper mill? OR OF Paterson IN. j. manager
who told he could only buy from one maker?
Or OF the Ohio representative who was refused
quotation and forced 10 go TO Canada? or Of
the hundred other stories in the whole file
! have brought with me? Shall tell you the story
of the transformation OF the American Pulp As
soCiation from same debating society. with an
annual dinner and amiable intermingIing. into
4 group of lswbrea kers with power to force an
immunity bath from the government whenever
caught in its agreements? Shall tell you the
story Of the Parks pools and of John II. Parks.
is Europe? Shall anticipate the
excuse made ny the paper makers for their eX-
traordinary advances? Shall anticipate they
will tell you what is the paper makers published
statement Of the increased cost Of labor. OF wood.
of freight"
After Mr. Norris had finished preliminary
statement Chairman Mann said that what the
committee wanted Information. and it vas
ready receive any facts the association had To-
present.
The question arose whether the committee would
call on the international Paper Company and other
manufacturers of print paper in the United states
to produce their books for examination Repre-
sentative Miller remarked that the committee in
tended TO have all the facts I'm the case Il. for
one said. do not propos" to sign any commit
tee report except upon the best information and
substantial proof. for do not propose to b" sub
jeced to the sort of criticism which your associa
ton has already placed upon this committee WIS
you should have expressed mistrust Of a committee
Of the House before had down to the
work of the investigation is more than can IN
dcrstand."
Mr. Mann said that what the committee desired
TO get AT was whether the publishers assert that
removal the duty wood pulp would cause
decrease in the price Of print paper. and whether
the publishers proposed 20 support before tho corn
mttee the charge that the so-callcd Paper Trust
is a conspiracy I'm restraint of trade within the
meaning of the Law.
Il would like to hear your reasons said MI
Sims why we should pass the Stevens bill, and
what the effect would be if We passed IT. ask
this question as one who is In d friendly attitude
toward that bill
In reply Mr.. Norris said that the price of paper
to newspapers is now s. % Il hundred pounds
a recent advance from the former prevailing price
of 81 90 He said the publishers would furnish exact
quotations. showing what print paper was costing
publishers practically all the consuming points
In the United States
The question Of Sistrust of the committee came
I'D again. and Mr. Norris explained that he did not
think the publishers meant to Criticisc the COM
mttee but rather its creation means OF caus
ing delay and probably OF defeating action at this
session.
Mr. Mann replied: IF your aspersiOns Of this
committee don't worry you any more than they
worry US, all is we'll
The committee adjourned until Monday morning
yhe Mr. Norris will be heard again.