Arizona republican., 1916-12-17
b|C AND SMALL
 PUBLISHERS IN
 SERIOUS CLASH
[RepublIcan A. P. Leased WireJ


 WASHINGTON. Dec 16.-A con- flict of interest between large and small newspaper publishers developed at conference today between the fed eral trade commission, the publishers and news print paper manufacturers and Jobbers, held to consider a pro posal that the problem of an appar- ent news print shortage be solved p1 distribution of the available supply un der supervision of the commission and 10 work out some arrangement If pos sible concerning prices and increased production.
 plan proposed and apparently favored by the trade commission the manufacturers and the small publish CTS, under which large publishers would relinquish five 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 manufacturers who by diverting machines now on wa making news print could solve the shortage problem within a few days Both large and small publishers in sisted that the plan called for no con sessions by the manufacturers.
 The plan proposed would provide that the five per cent turned hack hr the large establishments would be ap- portioned among the small publishef at the average contract price charge the large publishers This would D between three and four cents pound The jobber would receive in addition about one per cent for handling.
 Committees Of the publishers. mar ufacturers and jobbers were named to continue conferences with the trade commission next week in an effort either to perfect the plan proposed O. to work out some other acceptafIs plan. The publishers committee wi begin Monday to send out questionar ies to the newspap pers ascertaining tre needs of the small publications an learning If the large publishers vii agree to give up part of their paper
 In todays meeting the large publish ers argued that an increase in produc- tion would be simple matter if the manufacturers displayed a willingness to cooperate In this they were sup ported by the small publishers. Both classes of publishers too. insisted that prices were beyond reason. and assilr- ance was given by the trade commis- sion that perfecting of any distribu- ton plan would not stop the commis- sions investigation of that subiect. Commissioner Davies declared the commission was of the opinion that print paper was public necessity and that prices now charged for it were ex- tortionate
 On the committee of publishers to meet next week, with the trade com mission, F. P Glass and L. B. Palmer were named to represent the large pub- fishers, and A. w. Dunn and J. K Hoover to represent the small pubIish CTS Manufacturers will be represented by J. B. Potter and A. T. Houck. The Jobbers will name a committee later.
 IL was brought out today that al though the cost of production-as dis closed by the trade commissions in Vestigation-has remained about sta tionary, prices to the large publisher nave advanced from 2.l5 cents a pound on 1916 contracts to an average Of 31a Tor 1917 contracts. with an added item In that mills next year quote price a- the factories instead of at the place Of delivery. A prospectus issued bv on, manufacturing concern was Dreeontl. to show that the manufacturer endeav- bring to sell stock in his mill. claim. a profit of s15 ton on paper manufac- tured this year in addition to a surpls. accumulated.
 Manufacturers opposed every sur gestion today that production be iu creased by putting on news print worl machines that now are turning out otb CT classes of paper.
 The committee representing f smaller publishers issued a sfaten,,- tonight saying its members were hon. ful that the trade commission an. those concerned were about to find solution of the situation.