Evening journal., 1918-04-20
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1918.
THE EVENING journal. AND ITS CIRCULATION PRICE.


n ANY months ago the one-cent Philadelphia news
NA papers, forced to action by abnormal conditions
que to the war, increased their price TO two cents.
Subsequently the New York newspapers adopted the
course being forced to It by economic conditions
From those two cities the movement which was born
OF necessity. spread TO all sections Of the United sates
In consequence the number Of Onecen papers has be-
come comparatively small.
None Of the three one-cent newspapers published In
Wilmington followed the drift TO two cents which bus
ness prudence and wisdom had inspired In other cities.
Hoping against hope that there would be change in
economic conditions they have clung tenaciousy TO the
onecent price, suffering daily losses In the circulation
department for the benefit OF their readers.
Instead Of Improving the situation has become worse
until today II impossible for longer TO Ignore the
fact that, possibly in the future may be com
PEELED to advance price to two cents That will be
not because desire do it but because OF the fact
that every element which enters into the production OF
daily newspaper has increased In instances prices
have mounted to approximately 200 per cent? In others
10 more than 400 per cent and In others, again. from
nifty To ninety per cent The covering Of the
also has been another item Of abnormal expense.
Through It all have continued to give TO the members
OF THE EVENING JOURNAL Family the benefit OF the
onecent We have done IT, too without regret not
wthsandlng knew that economically attitude in
the matter unsound particularly in View Of the fact
shat. throughout the trying period. had kept our
paper up to its high standard in size and editorial and
news excellence.
The time seemingly has come, however, when some
thing must be done. We do not hesitate to take our
readers into confidence by making that admission.
We might reduce the size OF paper and impair its
editorial and quality. and continue to sell at one
cent but think such course would be bad for
the paper and bad for the reading public. It is
purpose 10 keep THE JOURNAL as It is TO make It
even better, matter what may decide, within the
next few days, TO do in the matter Of whether shall
be -one-cent a two-cent paper.
We have striven by every means in our power, to
ngure maintenance Of the one-cent rate but with
white paper which formerly could be bought FOR from
si65 TO a.75 per hundred pounds, selling at not
less than $3.50 hundred pounds T. o. b. Wilmington
with wages advanced in all OF the departments; with ink
OIL metal wrapping paper and all other supplies much
higher than they formerly were have failed utterly
thus Far TO figure out any plan which viii make II
possible to continue to sell the paper at cent with
out showing a daily loss circulation income.
II we decide that II is imperative that increase
The price OF paper to two cents we trust that
readers VIII keep the above facts in mind and realize
that the action is born Of necessity and not Of desire
and that for many months have refrained, for IN,
readers pecuniary benefit from following advanced
price lead Of hundreds Of other daily newspapers.