The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-06-29
COST OF
NEWSPAPER MAKING

Very rev IedllLc liiS S%A
robustness of the white paper sltua-
ton, and the tremendously increaS
ed cost to newspapers of that large
item of expense because of the con-
stantly soaring price of that nldls-
pensable commodity.
Not only is white paper far ana
away more expensive today than II
ever was before, and likely to go
still higher in price, but the gravity
of the situation is further increased
by reason of the fact that 1t may
become pressing problem in the
near future as to whether neWspa
pers will be able to get white paper
at all.
Every agency of the government
that may be put into operation I'M
der our present laws, as well as eV-
cry contrivance that private enter
prise can suggest, is at work seeking
to relieve this distressing situation
in as large measure as possible-but,
at best, results cannot be expected
to be particularly advantageous Or
helpful.
The newspapers are being put to
it as never before in all their his
tory to meet the demands of their
constituencies and to supply to the
public that quality of output the
public demands and has right to
expect-even admitting the stated
necessities of strict economy.
Every avenue through which white
paper may be conserved. therefore
is being closely guarded-for not on
ly is it the duty of newspapers to
meet the full requirements of the
service imposed upon them, but it Is
matter of pride with them as well
to hold everything up to the maxi
mum standard.
Practically without exception, ev
cry material entering into the man.
ufacture of white paper has advanced
within the past twelve to eighteen
months from SO to 800 per cent.
Inks were never so high, and the
increase in price of materials used
in the art department (such as 2inc)
and in the composing room (such as
linotype metal, etc., has been posi-
lively staggering.
Some of the chemicals absolutely
indispensable in the art department
have gone to all but prohibitive
| prices.
The public is intensely and vitality
| interested in these matters, because
the daily newspaper is an altogether
Indispensable institution, and never,
perhaps, in all the history of the
newspaper, was it so vital factor
in every day life as it is today
The great European war greatest
in all history has entailed upon
newspapers a tremendous and extra
ordinary expense. but the public
must be kept as fully informed as to
the progress of that gigantic strug
gle as is possible, and so the expense
is incurred and paid.
1t is safe to say that, with these
extraordinary expenses added to the
tremendously increased cost of the
white paper and collateral items, the
reader is getting from the newspa-
pers of this country today far and
away the greatest value for the price
he pays than ever beforehand far
greater than he had any right at any
time to expect or even anticipate
and, really, far more than he is en-
titled to, from the standpoint of
strictly good business and common
sense.
The newspapers are carrying a
tremendous financial burden, from
which the public directly benefits in
astonishing measure.
Just how much longer the news
papers will be able to bear this strain
is problematical, but certainly they
are deserving of the greatest meas
ure of commentator and thanks for
what they have been able to do and
for what they have done so far
Editorial from the Atlanta Georgian
June IL, 1916.