New-York tribune., 1911-02-23
Mr.. TAFT NOT BLUFF|NC
Denies That He Is Not Serious
as to Extra Session.
PAPERMAKERS PROTEST
John Norris Again Defends Pulp
Wood Clause of Reciprocity
Agreement.
Agreement.

Washington, Feb. 22-Presdent TAFT de-
MED phaticaly TO some OF his callers TO-
day the public intimation that he is not
serious In his intention 20 call an extra
session of Congress in the event OF the
failure of the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment. Senator Root. one OF the White
House callers, declared when leaving the
executive offices that It was impossible TO
tell whether the Senate would be able 70
reach a vote on the agreement or not
Owing 10 the complicated situation In that
body and the large number Of other dues-
tons which 1t is considering, he thought It
doubtful II vote would be reached.
The Senate Finance Committee took up
the wood pulp and print paper provision
OF the Mccall bill to-day. The first wit
ness was Representative Sway, Of Maine
who protested against the passage Of the
bill He spoke on behalf of eleven paper
mills in his district. He denied the ex-
istence Of paper trust" and declared
there was no need to open up Canadian
forests, because there was pulp wood
enough IN this country TO supply all de-
mands.
Arthur G. Hastings. Of New York, repre-
senting the American Paper and Pulp AS
sociation, read letters signed by John Nor
-is and Herman Ridder, of New York.
representing the American Newspaper
Publishers Association, directed to news
papers In various parts OF the country.
The purpose OF Mr.. Hastings was to show
that the newspapers were united to compel
a lowering of prices OF paper and 10 an
swer tn, charge that there is paper
trust" and that It is under investigation
by the Department OF Justice because OF
curtailing production.
"If this agreement should go into force"
said Mr.. Hastings, capital would rush
into Canada. and soon there would be an
overproduction.
o. The pulp and paper clause Of the agree
ment was defended by John Norris, chair
man Of the paper committee Of the Amer
lean Newspaper Publishers Association.
He elaborated the arguments he presented
before the Ways and Means Committee OF
the House. declaring that he spoke for
daily newspapers (which pay s55,Oo0,O00
year for their print paper. 100000 more
than they would pay II normal conditions
were permitted" He dweit especially on
the following points:
The increase of 81 20 a ton in the price
VI lul paper Wy paper SiHtc liic
enactment Of the Payne-Adrich tariff. not
withstanding the reduction of 1926 a ton
in the duty; the increase OF price from s32
to SiJ a ton since thirty-two mills We're
merged in the international Paper Com
pany. the alleged effort of paper makers to
'Starve the market and increase prices:
the complete dependence on Canada for
pulp wood to keep the American paper
mills going; the inaccurate character OF
information given to Senators about this
supply of pulp wood In various parts of
the United States; the somewhat higher
labor cost in Canada OF making ton OF
print paper; the ability of American mills
TO make paper cheaper than the Canadians
can: the failure of ''bulldozing' methods 70
obtain pulp wood from Canada. and the
effective application of the paper clause in
the agreement TO the situation now con-
fronting American users OF paper.
Put the American paper makers in posi-
tion TO get their pulp wood readily" he
said, in conclusion. "and you start them
upon conditions which will enable them TO
capture the markets OF the world and 10
realize that dream which the organizers
of the international Paper Company
avowed their purpose 10 accomplish"