The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-05-01
MUNSEY URGESU US.
T0F|X PAPER SIZE
Publisher Tells Senators Gov
eminent Regulation Is Only
Solution OF Shortage.

"
Government regulation OF the size
OF newspapers was advocated -as the
only possible way to meet the present
print paper situation" today by Frank
A. Munsey. publisher. before the Sem
ate committee investigating the print
paper situation.
Future production of print paper
rather than the present situatiIn IL
the question to be determined Nun
sey said.
''rhe only remedy can see for the
present situation would be regulation
In competitive nelds," Munsey said.
III all papers could reduce their con-
sumption, so per cent the situation
would be cleared.
"Do you mean that you would be
willing to cut your consumtion 80 per
cent?" Senator Reed, Democrat. or
Missouri, chairman Of the committee,
asked.
III we could get an agreement with
the other New York publishers to do
the same" Munsey replied.
Wood Gone In 20 Years.
at the present increase In produc-
tion, in twenty-five years without
wood In the world would bo exhaust
ed" Munsey continued.
How do our papers compare with
the size OF papers in EuropeT feed
asked.
european papers never appear as
large as our thirty-six page papers.
The limit in France today Is four
pages. regulated by the Government"
Munsey replied.
.'WouId the reduction in size affect
the business or prosperity OF the pub
lications?" Reed asked.
II hardly believe So" Munsey re-
piled.
"If the cost would find a way to put
into operation a gradual decrease In
the size of paper we would adjust our
contracts gradually to conform" Mum
sey continued.
Sunday Papers Sinners
"The Sunday papers are the big.
gest sinners. They use as much In
one day in many cases as the paper
usese the other six days. / think
sixteen page paper in n large city
is an ideal newspaper" Munsey said.
Munsey said the consumption OF
paper by his publications will be
decreased about 10000 tons this
year.
when the spot price was increased
adopted a policy which will hold
our consumption within our contract
limits" Munsey said.
I'VE have decreased the size OF our
publications thirty-three and one
third per cent and are doing every
thing to conserve paper" Munsey
continued.
Would Not Regulate Ads.
Munsey said he did not believe the
size of advertisements should be reg
ulated
manufacturers advertise rather than
to turn their earnings over in excess
profits taxes" Senator Reed asked.
II believe chat would be legitimate
business" Munsey replied. 81 have
not seen any disposition on the part
OF advertisers to do such a thing
viciously or needlessly.
Hard times are coming. but / DO
not believe advertisers ever will re-
turn to the old methods OF advertis-
Ing" Munsey observed.
How would you control the for
ests?" Reed asked.
Some way must be found to re-
gulate the cutting OF the forests or
we Will not nave paper In twenty
fve years" Munsey said.
Use Paper for Everything.
Paper is used for everything such
as wrapping individual cubes Of sugar
which are put in paper boxes. all US
ing paper" Reed said.
The only way that could be stop
ped would be to place tax on con-
Munsey said. 1T all uses
the raw material It must be re-
membered that each ton OF paper
uses a ton of coal.
do you believe Agreements among
publishers are effective in trying to
reduce the consumption" Reed asked.
"They cannot be effective" Mum
sey said.
You believe the Sunday paper is
too large" Reed questioned
II do. You are compelled to buy
five papers to get the one you want"
said. II believe a newspaper
should devote itself to news"
"As a publisher who can speak.
because ! have large papers which
are making money, I wish to say I
can make as much money as need by
publishing a smaller paper IL my
competitors do the same" Munsey
said.
Establishment OF an excise tax on
the newspapers according to their
size and other papers used as news.
papers was given by Mr.. Munsey as
one of the propositions which grows
more favorably in my mind as think