The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-11-02
FACE SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Publishers May Advance Subscl1p-
tion and Advertising Rates.

Columbia, Oct. 30.-An open let
ter has been addressed by the South
carolina Press association to adver-
+ising patrons and readers of news
papers. advising that newspapers
must either advance subscription and
advertising rates, or discontinue pub
1ication. The committee emphasizes
that the price of printing paper has
advanced during the last eight
months from S4S ton to $50. 1t
is further argued that paper in some
instances is almost unobtalnaole'
even at this price; some Wholesale
bonses having none to offer and some
mills refusing to make new contracts.
eve are now paying from so to 3oo
ner cent. more for paper stock, inks,
metal, type and other things used IN
the publishing business than we were
eight months ago. The only thing
that will save the newspapers OF
South Carolina is an advance OF ad-
yertising and subscription rates" A
meeting of the association was held
in Columbia last Friday, when COM
mittee was appointed, to prepare
nublic statement. Members OF the
committee are: o. K. Williams,
Rock Hill; J. L. Minis, Edgefield, and
". J. Irwin, Chester. The report
reads:
.eThe Press association of this
State wishes to bring to the attention
of the advertising patrons, readers
and friends of the press, the serious
situation confronting the publishers
at this time, and point out some facts
that We feel should be communicated
to you in our attempt to meet condl-
tions that have been thrust upon us.
We do this after giving the matter
careful consideration, and finding
ourselves powerless at this time to
take any other steps whereby the
newspapers may be continued, and
feeling that we are acting both for
the good of the patrons and the pub
fishers of the papers.
Refuse New Contracts.
paper in the last eight months
has advanced from s4S per ton until
at the present time it is quoted at
$3.50 per ton, and almost unobtain-
able at that price, some wholesale
paper houses having none to offer at
all and some of the mills refusing to
take on any new contracts. There
may be slight excuse, or ample ex-
cuse for the advance in prices on US,
but the fact remains that we are
paying from so to 500 per cent. more
for paper stock, inks, metal, type and
things that are used in the publish
ing business than we were eight
months ago. The only thing that will
save the newspapers of South Car
olina is an advance of advertising and
subscription rates. Some of the
larger dailies have already made ad-
vances in both. The small dailies
and weeklies will have to do like
wise or go out of business. We ask
you in the interest of a free press,
and the best interest of yourself, COM
munity, and State at large to meet
these advances cheerfully and to CO.
operate in every manner possible.
Curtan Demand.
paper makers insist that there
must be curtailment of the demand
on them; that they are working three
shifts a day, and that at this season
of the year when they should be ac-
cumulating a reserve stock, that they
cannot supply the demand. Large
publishers are trying to meet the sug-
gestion of the paper makers by cut
ting down their papers and economic
ing, and the commission appointed
by congress, after Investigating the
situation, are alarmed, but so far
have been unable to offer any sug-
gestion that will in any way relieve
the matter. Small publishers have no
opportunity to economic, as they
only buy just what they are obliged
to use, and under the existing condi-
tions few newspapers can exist long
without a readjustment. Many Of
the weaker ones cannot survive long
unless they find some immediate
remedy. The only remedy at this
time is an advance in the rates of
both advertising and subscription.
No matter how much publisher may
dislike to do this, it is his only saliva
tion, if he continues his business and
continues to be of service to his ad-