The Pensacola journal., 1919-11-24
NEWS PRINT SITUATION

preservation is the first law of individuals as
it Is of nations Prewar conditions longer exist.
in so far the publishers concerned. During
the years Of the great conflict he saw the price of
material including pint and ink climb to the
skies. He large'y increased wage scales He
obtained relief VIII the armistce signed.
He has obtained none in the year that has followed
since the signing of that document. And he is face
b, face today with another and graver crisis: pro-
kbitive price of print paper and threatened paper
famine.
J. H. Allison, vice president and general manager
of the Fort Worth Record, and president CT the
Southern Newspaper Publishers Association was
asked by The Editor and Publisher, the trade pub-
cation of the newspapers of America, for an express
sion to the proposed contract of the International
Paper Company. His reply is worthy of reproduc-
tion ,and throws considerable light the contro-
versy well the impending issue:
To the Editor and Publisher:
Fort WORTH Texas, Nov 14.-While / not IA
mar with all the details of the proposed Interna-
tional Paper Company's contract only having your
brief synopsis and communications of members af-
fected. it would the International is taking adj
vantage of shortage of newsprin in clearing all
past differences with publishers, and from express
sons of publishers, white they may be compelled to
submit at this time they will not accept provisions
OF the contract with any feeling their part that
they being fairly dealt with 1t is to be
gretted that the publishers are being taken advan
tage of but surely will be devised at
meeting whereby a just proposition may
De had from the international.
One thing certain: That the publisher must
raise his advertising ratesN and certainly the sub
crption rates as the subscriber should bear at least
he cost of white paper Publishers should not fear
a loss of circulation inches of advertising 1t
would be better for them to decide on the maximum
number of pages which is less than they have been
printing Of carrying advertising rate that
would bring fair returns.
The metropolitan dailies such as in New York
Philadelphia Boston Pittsburgh by cutting their
issues two pages per day for the month"; would prob
ably provide sufficient supply for the smaller
papers in respective states. Some consideration
should be shown the smaller publisher Surely after
consideration the paper companies will not throw
the smaller publishers on the open market but will
pro-rate their supply.
In the meantime let all the publishers diligently set
down and make plans for increasing the production
and surely newsprint should be sent abroad until
American publishers requirements met The
government should be called upon to intervene in
the expectation of wood pulp until this countrys
needs met and at reasonable price.
Permit me to urge the closest cooperation be-
tween all publishers through their various associa-
tions until this acute situation is relieved AND
EVERY NEWSPAPER SHOULD AT ONCE CONSIDER
INCREASING SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISING
RATES THAT THE TOTAL TONNAGE REQUIRED
MAY BE REDUCED.
j. H. ALLISON.
President s. N. PA.
An all-American should not ask something for
nothing. An all-American is willing to pay a
legitimate price. An all-American will readily un-
derstand the plight of the publisher He will un-
derstand why it is necessary for American publishers
to increase subscription and advertising rates He
will understand why the government should place
its ban expectation of wood pulp to foreign ma
tons until the needs of America and Americans are
met land at a reasonable price" He will understand
without research the aid of glasses why co
tion is necessary the part of publishers for in
ereasing the production of the mills of the country
as we'll as why there should be shipments abroad
until the home demand has been supplied
AFT