The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-17
PAPER MAKERS NOT l, OPERATING, SAY
 LARGE PUBLISHERS
Tentative Plan of Relieving Present Situation Is Not Agreeable to All Con-
 cerned at Conference

Washington, December 16-A conflict of
 interest between large and small papers
 developed at conferences today between the federal trade commission, the pub
 fishers and newsprint paper manufac-
 turers and Jobbers. The conference was
 neld to consider proposal that the prob
 lem of an apparent newsprint shortage
 be solved by distribution of the avail
 able supply under supervision of the com
 mission and to work out ome arrange
 fAent if possible concerni ig prices and
 increased production.
 A plan proposed and ap arently favored by the trade commissioa the manufac- turers and the smsssA Publishers, under ] which large publishers would relinquish
 per cent of their 1917 quota to the smaller publishers, met with immediate [ opposition. The large publishers declared
 they were being made the victims c Manufacturers who, by dlverting ma
 chimes now on wall paper and wrapping
 paper back to making newsprint could
 solve the shortage problem within a few
 days. Both large and small publishers
 insisted that the plan called for no con-
 sessions by the manufacturers. } PLAN PROPOSED The plan proposed would provide that the per cent turned back by the large l establishments would be apportioned among the small publishers at the aver Aage contract price charged the large pub 1ishers. This would be within 8 and 4 scents pound. The jobber would receive Nn addition about per cent for handling. ttCommittees of the publishers, manufac-
 turers and jobbers were named to con-
 finue conferences with the trade commits sion next week in an effort either to per feet the plan proposed or to work out lsome other acceptable plan. The pub- ] fishers committee will begin Monday to ksend out inquiries to the newspapers, as-
 certaining the needs of the small pub N lications and learning if the large pub fishers will agree to give up part of their paper.
 LfA WANT COOPERATION
 In todays meeting the large publishers . argued that an increase in production would be a simple matter If the manufac- turers displayed willingness to coop crate. In this they were supported by the small publishers. Both classes of publishers, too, insisted that prices were {beycnd reason, and assurance was given {by the trade commission that perfecting of distribution plan would not stop tthe commission's investigation of that ,subject. Commissioner Davies declared lthe commission was of the opinion that
 print paper was public necessity and that prices now charged for it were ex- ] tortionate.
 ] It was brought out today that although | the cost of production--as disclosed by the trade commissions investigation-has PSemained about stationary prices to the large publishers have advanced from 2.15 cents a pound on 1916 conracts to an av- rage of BIO ip 1917 contracts, with an ded item In fnat mills next year quote ces at the factories instead of at the ce,of delivery Prospectus of one man. cturer 6. ows stock profits on a ton paper this year is $15.
 anufacturers opposed today every sug- k, ton that production be increased by IH ing on newsprint work machines that VA are turning out other classes of {. Na V.