Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-22
Saving the Print Paper Industry

G ENATOR UNDERWOOD. of Alabama is
- entitled to the undivided support OF Con-
gress in the effort lie is making to prevent
the removal OF the American newsprint in
duStry into the Dominion OF Canada, as de-
signed by the Canadian government. Such
removal would mean the absolute sur
render OF this vital business to the authority
OF foreign government, placing every con-
sumner OF white paper at the mercy OF for
eign tariffs. embargOeS, orders i'll council and
such other restrictions as might be imposed
affecting the supply. price and transport OF
tho commodity. Nor does this industry af
feet merely the newspapers OF the United
States 1t affects as well every publisher of
magazines periodicals, every publisher OF
books. and the consumption also CO most
of tho paper used in straight commercial
lines.
The Alabama Senator has offered Joint
resolution providing for the appointment of
commission OF five members, whose duty
H. will be to negotiate friendly basis
with The Canadian government and with the
governments OF the several provinces OF the
Dominion regarding the expectation OF wood
pulp from the crown lands of Canada. If
this commission fails in Its efforts to arrive
ut 4 satisfactory settlement, then ii will be
called upon 10 report to Congress what ac
ton should he taken by the Legislative de-
Iart!Hent OF the government for the relief
OF the industry
wood the print paper situation has become
ono Of grave concern TO the whole nation.
The pulp timber. particularly i'll the Eastern
part OF the United States. is almost eX-
hausted. This has resulted in u general
movement for rcforestation, participated in
ly all private interests involved and by the
Federal government as we'll but it is real
lied that years must pass before relief can
be obtained III that direction. and meantime
the .Nuerican consumers OF wood pulp must
look largely 10 Canada for their
terials
As far back as 1880. American interests
went into Canada TO secure timber conces
sion>. and vast areas were leased through
tl!o Canadian government anu the provincial
governments OF Quebec, Ontario and New
brunswick. The wood was cut, paid for as
agreed and removed to the plants in the
United states without hindrance for twenty
years. Suddenly. however. the Canadian au-
;orities. disrcgarding property rights, is
sued an order in council, prohibiting the
portation for pulp wood from the crown
lands, demanding that it be manufactured
on the Canadian side OF the line
The first effect OF this merely to de-
stroy enormous investments i'll Canada. The
paper mills turned naturally to the domestic
forests for their supplies Bat now that the
domestic timber is practically consumed it
is necessary that Canada yield OF its abund-
anco, ii the print paper industry is TO sur
vve. and tho consumers in America TO
have newsprint at all.
Canada demands that the mills be
moved to the Dominion if they are 10 receive
raw materials from the crown lands. AL
ready some OF the plants have been re-estab-
ished beyond the frontier and have learned
20 their sorrow what it means to be under
the jurisdiction OF a foreign government. IF
the whole industry must leave the United
States. Canada will be i'll position to
troll unrescrvedly an industry which is ::
part OF the very lifo uf this nation.