The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-17
PAPER PRICES
TO BE.REASONABLE
Manufacturers Finally Cor
nered by Government, Agree
to Reduce Price From
Former High Figure.
HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE
First Step Toward Government Fixing
Of Prices May be tho Start Of
Most Important
Epoch.
HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE

[United Press Leased Wire Service.l
WASHINGTON Feb. 17.-Whether
the government will go on with Grim
inal proceedings against certain big
news print paper manufacturers Is to
be decided probably today by the fed
eral trade commission. In its report
following nearly a years investiga-
tions and hearings, the commission
announced It had reached conclusion
that alleged print paper shortage Is
largely artificial, prices are extor-
tionate and free competition has
ceased to exist"
Coincident with this statement from
the commission that body announced
the big news print paper manufactur-
ers had decided to let the commission
arbitrate flair schedule of prices
for their production, a suggestion
which the manufacturers had some
time ago flatly turned down when
made to them by the publishers in
Chicago.
While there were signs today that
there might be many demands for the
government to go through with Its
criminal prosecutions barely started
In New York under direction Of Fran
els ]. Heney. II was. limited here tho
commission may accept the news print
paper manufacturers suggestion. Ofi-
cials explained that since the some
whist invoiuntarily suggestion mot
only means the saving of millions to
the great publishers Of the country,
but averts absolute ruin that now
threatens hundreds of smaller pub
fishers" and since such government
arbitration Of prices will mean also
big saving to the government In
averting court action, 1t may be found
wise to accept the belated proffer.
The fact that acceptance will mean
establishment of radical precedent
government arbitration OF prices
was also pointed to as an important
argument in favor Of peaceful settle
ment" OF the matter.
1t Is this last phase Of the case on
which officials laid most stress. High
est administration heads 6eciared
an agreement by producers Of such
widely used commodity as print paper,
to what is virtually government fixing
of prices and distribution of product,
marks an epoch in the expansion OF
governmental functions. 1t opens up
widest and most far reaching possi-
bilities for the future along this line.
Reasonable Coal Prices.
DETROIT. Mich, Feb. 17.-Detro1t
coal brokers and dealers today faced
the threat Of municipal conflscation
of their supplies If they refused to pro-
vide sufficient fuel for domestic use
at reasonable prices" The threat
was made by Mayor Marx, after con-
ference with representatives. Of all
railways entering the city, and Is ex-
pected to result in instant relief in the
coal shortage situation.
The mayor announced that carloads
Of hard and soft, coal would be avail
able Monday for hauling from public
team tracks throughout the city.
A reasonable price" the mayor de-
fined as the prevailing market price.
He termed the $3.50 per ton rate be-
Ing charged by many dealers, as ex-
torttonate.
Threat Brought Terms.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17-Threat by
the administration that 1t would take
national emergency measures" unless