The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-27
DISCUSS PAPER Problem.
Publishers and Manufacture
ers Meet in Conference
in Chicago.
tContipusa rssa rass on~)

apolis tomorrow that they must hurry
or else miss their train.
Mr.. Smith. managing director OF
Canadian paper company, said the
present price Of paper would not look
so high il manufacturers had not in
other years charged too little. He as
serted that the manufacturers did not
know their own manufacturing costs
In previous years and had failed to
figure on d proper return for all money
invested.
The manufacturers did not have the
precise figures which the publishers
sought from them in support of as
sertions that their prices were Justified.
1t was said that local conditions vary
was hard to get. wages from 50 to
100 per cent higher. transportation ia
cilities were Insufficient: Mr.. Boutwell,
said that he had to pay SIS for pulp
wood that cost him IS a year ago.
These were some of the items. Mr..
trated some Of the circumstances
which unexpectedly enter into the cost
Of production.
1t seems to me that a factor which
has not been considered is union la
Dor" he said. MY plant is not union
ICED. The men keep asking and get
ting higher wages. They want somc-
thing all the time. Today l received
this circular (here the speaker pro.
duced a hand bilD calling on my men
to walk out This sort Of thing costs
money"
Mr.. Sterling looked at his watch
and left abruptly.
Mr.. Boutwell, said that in some parts
Of Quebec snow was exceptionally deep
and that a short cut Of pulp wood was
being made and he predicted that many
mills would be closed by October for
lack Of raw material.
Mr. Dodge expressed the opinion
that the worst Of the situation had
been met and that If both sides were
patient and got together their diff
culics would end In a few months, or
at least would be much improved.
Mr.. Mead indicated he thought fed
eral trade commission could solve the
problem either as the agent Of a gen.
tlemen's agreement or through obtain
ing additional power from congress to
enforce its findings.
10
when the government starts to
take control of our business, the In
kternational Paper company will turn It's
machinery to other uses" he asserted
He reminded those present that he and
his colleagues had no power to bind
other manufacturers to any course Of
action. He was OF the opinion that
the two sides by conferences could set
tie their differences better without the
intervention of the federal trade COM
mission. or any third party.
The motion to have committees meet
after the report of the federal trade
commission was made by Mr.. Stahi-
man and the publishers voted to add q
representative of the smaller papers
to their committee. which otherwise
remained as at present, with Mr.. Glass
| at its head. Mr.. Davies explained that
the time for any action by congress
was short. He urged that the commit
tees meet Mt once so that the commit
tee might have the benefit Of infor-
nation which might develop. Mr..
Stahlman disagreed. stating that tho
main reason for the meeting was to
obtain inspiration from the report.
Mr.. Smith declared that in his opin-
ion Mr.. Glass committee had not
shown spirit Of full CO. operation.
You have questioned our sincerity.
have you not?" he asked the publisher.
Mr.. Glass with some heat added
that he had thought that the manu-
facturers' committee had sought delay
| Mr.. Keehn asked If the manufacture
| ers would agree to a system wherein
the publishers would pay for their pa
per all costs plus a liberal profit. Mr.
Mead. speaking for his own company
said that he would.
And" he added, I'm agree that al
the end Of this year If the federal
trade commission. or any other ncu
trail body. finds that our profits hav.
been excessive / will return the excess
to our customers"
| The manufacturers answering ques
tons from small publishers. said that
they had no objection to CO. operative
buying Of paper and would give the
| same rates an tn the In rrcr n,,hliahc rs