Bisbee daily review., 1918-01-08
PRINT PAPER IS SUBJECT BEFORE
 TRE COMMISSION
Newspaper Publishers Appear Before Federal Trade Com mission and Explain Argu- ments With Paper Makers.
(9Y Review Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON. Jan. 7.-Changes ! ,ewspaper publishers want made ill -ontracts and trade customs for pur- ,hase of print paper were outlined to day to the federal trade commission at the opening hearing to obtain in formation on which to fix paper prices. The commission is preparing to fix rices under an agreement with the manufacturers but before action is taken there may be a new law on the federal statute books giving it full power over the paper supply. While he hearing was in progress the sen lte made its unfinished business leg slction recommended by the joint congressional print paper committee.
 The legislation is in the form of a resolution. which provides that during the war the trade commission shall:
 Supervise, control and regulate production and distribution of all pc per and mechanical pulp in the United States and that all mills ani agen- cies distributing such materials shall 5e operated on government account
 Authority to President.
 Authority also would be given the resident to negotiate with Canada or limiting American experts to Can ada to government account. The re- solution probably will be considered tomorrow.
 Echoes of the long fight of the pub fishers for lower prices, eliminating indictment of a number of manu- lecturers and their agreement to have the commission set a price for their .roduct, were evident in some of the exchanges at the hearing today be- .ween witnesses and Henry A. Wise If New York, attorney for the manu- lecturers.
 Emil Scholz. of the New York Eve ling Post, testified he signed con -ract for paper without regarding it. because he feared if he made objec- ion he could get no paper.
 But you made no objection to the erms of the contract" insisted MT. Wise
 A Business Holcup.
 T wouldn't make any objection. either, if a burglar held a pistol to my head and asked for what had" eTor'ed the witness.
 Chairman Harris interrupted to say hat such remarks did not aid in reaching just conclusions. MT. Schoi. said he would retract the reference.
 At another time MT. Wise question ed the witness regarding the organiza- lon and purposes of the American Newspaper Publishers association.
 Is It not an association O. buyers or the purpose of holding down the price of the product they purchaser he asked.
 Jlsi not" Scholz replied warmly. Few publishers consult one another
 Objections Oy Mr. Mark Hyman. of he department of justice. elicited rom the manufacturers counsel the statement that he wished to show motive.
 T submit that if the attorney gen srai indicts the manufacturers for adopting a standard form of contract" e said, then he should indict the publishers for seeking 10 dictate a orm of contract"
 Desires Outlined.
 A. G. Mcintyre, paper expert for ne publishers association. outlined O the commission conditions which ne publishers wished made in the statement for contract Foremost was nsisteEce on a provision making the 'aper the absolute property of the 'uhiisher after purchase. He said the usual contract contained a clause Tim
 ing the use of papsr 10 the buyer within a specific time and for certain editiOns Of his publication and that ie clause had been interpreted 10 mean that paper bought in one wear 'Ould not be used in another. Objection WAS made also 10 clauses providing for delivery in equal month irsiallments, fixing the weight ariaticn of five per cent. which was declared tco large. setting the time or payment as the fifteenth Of each month. which was asked to be chang ed Co the twentieth. or thirty days rom invoice. and providing for the eturnins of paper roll cores by pre- aid freight instead cf collect. al houSh it was agreed Ire publishers should pay the freight.
 The publishers agreed to pernlsn- 'nt widths of paper in the interest of economical operation hy the manu- lecturers and conceded that side walk T press room delivery was unfair to he manufacturer who should De al. owed to ship his 9rod1ct r. Q. b. pup ishers' city. lt also was urged that substantially average quality should
 e changed tO specifications more ieiinite as 10 weight, color and fin | ish.
 J. H. Zerbrie of the Pottsvfle PenUal Daily Republican. represent. ne the Pennsylvania Associated dai- | ies. and G. F. Hosmer. Of Denver. ole. representing the National Fdi- orial association. appeared for the small Tauers- Frank D. Glass. Of the Birmingham tAlal News. vice presi- dent of the American Newspaper Pub ! ishers association, told the cOmmis- | lien he expected a more conserva-