The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1919-01-21
NEWS PRINT OUTLOOK
FOR YEAR IS BAD

New York. "A recent issue Of the
Editor and Publisher carried care
fully prepared statement of the news
print situation II quotes the prices
that are being made to the large.
metropolitan newspapers for ron
print when ordered in large quanti-
ties. News print when supplied in
sheets sells for so cent hundred
more than the price for rolls when
ordered in equally large quantities.
The article as printed in the Editor
and Publisher is as follows:
at is on the cards--and this is the
view not of pessimists, but Of pub
fishers keenly observant--that the
year 1919 will see large number of
newspaper properties, small only as
compared with the great metropoli-
tan dalies, either closing their plants
because they cannot get supplies of
newsprint at any price, or combining
with others in the same locality for
the same reason. This without the
consideration of the other factors
that have greatly enhanced the cost
of production of a newspaper.
"Remedy for the high cost of news
print, as well as of labor, must be
found in advancing the selling price
of newspapers and increasing ad-
vertising rates; two actions that it is
freely prophesied will have to occur
anyway.
'While these would help to meet
expenses, however, they could not
add a -single pound to the production
Of newsprint, which already has
fallen so low that there is scarcely
enough to go around.
''Taking the latest available stats
tics, there appears to lie about six
weeks supply in the country. OF
this two thirds is in the hands of the
consumers, though very unequally
distributed Some publishers have
\ enough to make them feel safe for
quite a while to come, while others
are on the ragged edge, with enough
only for week or so, unable at that
to feel at all certain about when and
how future needs are to be satisfied.
OF the remaining third, half is in the
hands of the jobbers and in transit,
and half with the manufacturers.
"During the month of November,
81 mills producing newsprint report
ed to the federal trade commission
for the first full week, 60 for the
second week, 81 for the third, 60 for
the fourth and but SO for the fifth.
The unusually large amount of time
lost is ascribed principally to re-
pairs and lack of labor. Between
November 3 and December l the
production was 1928 tons and
the shipments 112,9SS tons, and the
mill stocks on hand at the beginning
of this month were 20,550 tons
About 10000 tons of newsprint are
being held for export awaiting bot
toms, but they are generally of sizes
not available for United States pub
fishers.
"Prices are almost anything the
manufacturers wish to name. from
SO 90 a hundred TO 81, and publish
ers are scrambling to assure them
selves of safety during the coming
year on the best terms they can
make. 1t is reported that the hii-
adelphia Bulletin has closed its con
tract with the Great Northern at
$3.50 for the entire year, out some
others are signing up at "A on the
theory that they win thus be assur-
ed of paper for the entire twelve
months, and at figure little if any,
higher than the others will pay ulti-
mately who accept other arrange
ments offered.
"The winter has been open so far,
and shipments from mills to con-
sumers have been reasonably regu-
lar. 1t is reported now, however,