Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-12-17

~ llll pa Htl AultAN Ahl q . ttAA'A- J'h
bers, held to consider a proposal that
the problem of an apparent news print
shortage be solved by distribution of
the available supply under supervision
of the commission and to work out
some arrangement II possible, con-
corning prices and increased produc'
ton.
Big Publishers Oppose.
A plan proposed and apparently
favored by the trade commission, the
manufacturers and the small publish
Jers, 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 of manufae-
turers, who by diverting machines
now on wall paper and wrapping pa
per- back to news print, could solve
the shortage problem within a fe"
days. Both large and small publish
ers insisted that the plan called for no
concessions by the manufacturers.
The plan proposed would provide
that the per cent turned back by the
large establishments would be appor-
toned among the small publishers az
the average contract price charged the
large publishers. This would be be-
tween 3 and cents a pound. The
iobber would receive in addition about
/ per cent for handling
VIII Seek Information.
Committees Of the publishers, man
ufacturers and jobbers, were named to
continue conferences with the trade
commission next week in an effort
either to perfect the plan proposed,
or to work out some other acceptable
plan. The publishers committee will
begin Monday to send out question
aires to the. newspapers, ascertainlng
the needs of the small publications
and learning if the large publishers
will agree to give up a part OF their
paper.
In today's meeting the large pub
fishers argued that an increase in pro-
duction would be a simple matter II
the manufacturers displayed a Wiling
ness to cooperate. In this way they
were supported by the small publish
frs Both classes of publishers, too,
Insisted that prices were beyond rea-
son, and assurance was given by the
trade commission that pcrfecting of
any distribution plan would not stop
the commissions investigation of that
subject. Commissioner Davies de-
clared the commission was OF the
opinion that print paper was public
necessity and that prices now charged
for 1t were eXtortionate.
Publishers Committee Named.
on the committee of publishers to
meet next week with the trade COM
+. p. Glass and l.. b. Palmer
were named to represent the large
publishers, and A, w. Dunn and j. r..
Hoover to represent the small publish
ers. Manufacturers will be represent
ed by j. Il. Potter and A. II. HOuck
The jobbers will name a committee
later.
1t was brought out today that al
though the cost of produCtion-as
disclosed by the trade commission
Notwithstanding remained about
stationary prices to the large publish
ers have advanced from 2.l5 cents a
pound on 1916 contracts, to an average
Of $40 for 1917 contracts, with an
added item in that mills next year
quote prices at the factories instead
IF at the place of delivery A pros
Dectus issued by one manufacturing
concern was presented to show that
The manufacturer endeavOring to sell
stock in his mill claims a profit or
S15 a ton on paper manufactured this
year, in addition to a surplus accum-
llated
Manufacturers opposed every sug-
gestion today that production be in
creased by putting on news print work
machines that now are turning out
other classes of paper.
The committee representing the
smaller publishers issued a statement
tonight saying its members were hope |
full that the trade commission and
hose concerned were about to find a |
solution of the situation.