Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-11-01
gdsrtlela Aapertiscr.
State Newspaper Men Issue
Statement on the Paper Sit
uation.

SCdIS lNGWSpdpSf N4CaE ASoOS
Statement on the Paper Sit
uation.
The South Carolina Press associa-
ton, at a meeting held in Columbia
Friday morning, October 81, decid-
ed to issue the following statement:
ITO the Advertising Patrons and
Readers of Newspapers in South
Carolina:
''The Press association of this
State wishes to bring to the atten-
tion 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 at
tempt to meet conditions that have
been thrust upon us. We do this
after giving the matter careful con-
sideration, 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 publishers of
the papers.
News paper in the past eight
months has advanced from s4s per
ton until at the present time it is
quoted at $3.50 per ton, and almost
unobtainable at that price, some
wholesale paper houses having none
to offer at all and some of the mills
refusing to take on any new con-
tracts. There may be slight excuse,
or ample excuse 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 publishing business than we
were eight months ago.
"The only thing that will save the
newspapers of South Carolina is an
advance of advertising and SUBJ
scription rates. Some of the larger
dailies have already made advances
in both; the small dsilies and week.
lies will have to do likewise or go
out of business. We ask you in
the interest of free press, and the
best interests of yourself, communi-
ty and state at large, to meet these
advances cheerfully and to cooper
ate in every manner possible.
The makers insist that there
must be a curtailment of the de-
mand on them; that they are work
ing three shifts day, and that at
this season of the year when they
should be accumulating a reserve
stock, that they can not supply the
demand. Large publishers are try
ing to meet the suggestion of the
paper makers by cutting down their
papers and economizing, and the
commission appointed by congress
after investigating the situation are
alarmed, but so far, have been una
bic to offer any suggestion that will
in any way relieve the matter.
Small publishers have no opportu-
nifty to economic as they only buy
just what they are obliged to use,
and under the existing conditions
few newspapers can exist long with
out readjustment. Many of the
weaker ones can not survive long
unless they find some immediate
remedy, that the only remedy at
this time is an advance in the rates
of both advertising and subscrip-
tions. No matter how much a pub
Usher may dislike to do this, it is
his only salvation if he continues in
business aid continues to be of SER
vice to his advertising patrons and
subscribers.
I'VE have confidence in the pat
rons of the various papers through
out South Carolina and believe that
they will stand by them and coop
crate in any manner possible to
keep them going until there can be
a readjustment. And in conclusion
we call on all persons who believe
in the mission of free press to CO.
operate with us in adjusting our
business to those new and unheard
of condition so that we can contin-
ue to serve you."