Evening star., 1916-08-02
TWo-Cent DaiIies and Stand
ardization of Prices Sug-
uested by Economist.
SOME PUBLISHERS AFRAID
TOTESTIFY. is ASSERTED
Those Having Advantageous Con-
tracts Fear They Will Lose Them,
Thus Cutting Off Supply.

Two hints for relief of publishers
which will be seriously considered by
the federal trade commission were
given during the hearing on the in
crease in the cost of news print paper
and difficulties of making contracts
which closed last evening.
These are a suggestion that the
manufacturers work out a standard
scale of prices based on quantity con-
tracted for and that the publishers
raise the price of their newspapers to
cents, since testimony showed that
large newspapers are paying much
more for their paper than the circula-
tion returns.
Both of these hints were given by
T. NJ Robertson, assistant chief econo-
mist for the commission, during exam
ination OF witnesses.
Forced to Curtail Circulation.
That publishers have been forced to
curtail on their circulations and to
turn away advertising on account of
being unable to get an adequate supply
of print paper at reasonable cost
both circulation and advertising being
brought out in testimony.
Complaints heard by the commission In
dicated wide variety in charges Tor
paper-from "a on favored contracts
10 6 cents n round which some small pub
fishers are forced 10 p. v They showed
also that while some favored Few nave
been allowed to make contracts three
wears ahead ~ advantageous prices oth-
ers are unable to make contracts after
January. 1917. and that publishers gen.
erallv are alarmed.
II was testified. for the purpose OF
showing collusion among manufacturers
and brokers' that publishers have found
il impossib. to get paper except through
one dealer The belief was also stated
that there is n clearing house for informa-
ton valuable to the manufacturers.
Publishers Afraid to Testify.
The names of a number of publishers
who II was said. were afraid to testify at
the hearing yesterday were promised to
the commission that they might be called
for private examination. The reason given
for their fear to testify was that they
have advantageous contracts now and are
fearful they will lose them and their pa
Der supply be shut on
The name of Lafe Young was mentioned
ut the hearing one Of those prominent
in politics who has been beneflting through
o favored contract.
The investigation. which has been in
progress for two months and is being
made on an extensive scale by the federal
trade commission. was authorized by
Congress. A report will be made by the
commission as soon as possible. II was
stated last night. Books and contracts OF
the manufacturers to be examined
by Investigators for the commission.
Experiences of Small Publishers.
At the opening of the hearings yes
terday afternoon Attorney J. Raymond
Hoover. representing the Pennsylvania
DaiIieS and National Editorial Associa =
tions. told the commission that several
more men were attending the hearings
who could give cumulative testimony.
One of these: he said. was n small pub
fisher who could tell how the small
publishers are being forced to pay 6
cents. The general trend of testimony
by his clients. he said, is that prices
have tecn- increased tremendously He
asked that they he accorded the privi-
lege Of examining representatives of
manula cturers We cannot point to
collusfon or conspiracy" he said but
been and il viii he the duty of the com =
mission to determine fault and punish :
mem~ He introduced G. y. Andrews
of the exec tive co o-nmittee OF the AS
sociared Dailies Of Pennsylvania and
mana ger OF EaSto9 Free Press.
Mr.. Andrews said his own contract
made in March. was for n guarantee OF
35e tons. This expires in two or three