The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-19
IS SHORTAGE i,
OF PAPER REAG?!.. :.
TRADE COMMISSION TO u.
MAKE INVESTIGATION:
Large Publishers Contend No
Shortage Exists Queries
Sent to Publishers. -

WASHINGTON, Dec. IS-Tke Fed.:
crai Trade Commission, in conferences
TODAY with committees Of Newspaper
publishers, paper manufacturers a13e
iobbers in an effort to work out =
plan for relieving the news print 5pAts'
,per situation. addressed inquiries gtQs
) all the interests concerned througno4s;
! the country 10 ascertain II an acL0N
news pri1t shortage exists. ,.s;s-.sA
! Publishers of the larger papers Wete'
asked if they will relInquish some OF
the paper they have contracts Tor our
ing 1917: smallepublishers were asked (
the extent of their 1917 needs; manu-
factures were directed to inform th0I
commission concerning 1917 contract4;
and their next years production: ana
1 iobbers were requested to furnish gem,
eral information regarding the ani0un1,
of news print paper they will handle.
! The conference discussed plan prG,
posed by manufacturers under which,
large publishers would give up Two
percent OF their 1917 contract supplies
to fill the needs of small publishers
There was a growing objection on tnas
mart of the large publishers to this
nroposal The contention was aos.
yanced that no actual shortage exist,
and that manufacturers are 70 plane;
, il there Is shortage next year. Plans
of the publishers for financing paper
mills to help take care OF newspaper
needs il was said today. are taking
rapid shape. Some publishers are Or
the opinion this is the only way to neips
| the situation. They say manufactur.
! ers cannot be forced to Increase theirl
! news print production and that mo
publishers Of the country musCIArs
range to care for their .Wn needs Or
| 20 out Of business. ~
Another Conference -
The committees of publishers, Mnucs
! ufacturers and jobbers will pc caue4,
into conference again, probably ne1ts
eynected the replies to the lnqutrtes.
viii have. been received by then ana
details of the plan of distribution PRO.
posed will have been worked OUT, 70
some extent
sion today at the conclusion OF mo
conferences, after referring. to teie.
, grams sent by associations or pnnnal's
rers, of the country, are not aitlnates1m,: s1,
with associations, and therefore,, VII VII
not be directly reached through, rtne
| telegrams sent out by the Publlsnerh
! Committees. Such publishers are re-.
ouested by the commission to seno t0it
Information concerning their preSem
situation as to supply and their mlnls
mum requirements for next year difese.
to the office of the commission M
, Washington" e?
The questions were sent out 10 puu'
fishers In a telegram by L. =. PalmerS
: manager OF the American NeTspepeE:
Publishers' Association: 1t foloMs:.E
Answers to the following qqestions
are earnestly desired BY the FeasM
| Trade Commission. The E3ecuuySs
Committee Of the committee on: paper
nrre YOU to reply fully and correctly:
bv wire, and believe that your compn::
snce with this request will be n yoar5s
own interest as well as that OF itne NO.,
public. o. ,sed hv
six months periods. January ], 1916
TO December 81, 1916.
Second: Tonnage you want 10 con- COM
''siS Third: i Tonnage you can get along!
n "Fourth: m Tonnage contracted for,
1917 or any part thereof, with date OF
expiration of contract -: -. -
"Fifth: Tonnage assured or pIom,'
,sed but not under contract for ISll:.
or any part thereof, with date OF e4'5
piration OF said assurance.