The New York herald., 1921-12-29
NEWSPRINT DEBATE
ENLIVENS HEARINGS.
Paper Makers and, Publishers
at Odds Over Tariff
Schedules.
EXPLOITING is CHARGED
Excessive, Unreasonable and
Wholly Unfair Prices Are
Charged Says Publisher.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2s.--Senate tariff
attack on American newspaper publish
ers by William E. Haskell of New York
city. vice-president of the international
Paper Company and a counter-attack
on the newspaper print manufacturers
by William J. Pape. publisher OF the
Waterbury. Conn.,, Republican,, speaking
for number of small publishers. who.
he said. organized joint buying corpo-
ration because many of them were un-
able. single handed. to assist themselves
in an effort to obtain fair prices on
newsprint.
Urging a tariff protection for his in
iustry against European competition,
Col. Haakell told the committee that
Congress had gradually yielded to the
clamors OF the paid agents OF the pub
llshers" until finally all tariff on news
print had been removed and the indus
try abandoned to drift In the ebb and
flow Of the international competitive
tide"
Asserting that newsprint was the only
product of the paper making industry
which has been deprived OF all protec-
ton and bedeviled by inspired Federal
regulation and interference" the witness
said the reason for "the invidious treat
men. this branch OF the industry has
suffered Is obvious" He added that
the fact that the press can control
legislation and invoke unwarranted reg
ulations. restrictions and interference
for It's own selfish interests. constitutes
= grave charge Of undue influence and
special privilege
The charge that any undue influ-
snce" had been used by the publishers
In arguing for the placing OF newsprint
paper on the free list was denied by
Emory Thomason Of Chicago. speaking
for the American Newspaper Publishers
Association. He declared the publishers
had based their argument on the eco
nomic ground OF the inability Of Ameri-
can uswsprint manufacturers to supply
domestic consumption. This inability
was stated by Col. Haskell.
Mr.. Pape told the committee that the
question before Congress In determining
as to the retention of newsprint paper
on the free list was whether the pub
fishers should again have imposed on
them such q condition as was found by
Senate committee. which reported last
year that certain manufacturers had
taken advantage Of a newsprint short
age ito exploit the purchasers" and
hold them up for excessive, unreason-
able and wholly unfair prices"
Publishers who, as class, largely
dominate public opinion affecting busi-
ness policies through direct appeal to
readers, Mr.. Pape added have been
potently weak when fighting for fair
price for newsprint." He declared that
on no less than three occasios in the
last ten years prices had scared to un-
dreamed OF heights and that nothing.
including the Federal Trade Commits
sion. Congressional and court action,
had stayed the demands imposed by
certain of those who control the supply
OF newsprint"
Col. Haskell in presenting the. case
for the manufacturers, suggested no
definite rate OF duty for newsprint,
saying he would leave that to the COM
mittee. He contended that the indus
try was in bad shape as result OF
competition from Germany, Sweden.
Norway and Finland, asserting that
paper made In those countries could be
sold here for from $40 to $40 below the
actual cost OF production here
On the other hand. Mr.. Pape argued
that the prices of the foreign made
paper sought about the level In this
country. that 1t was the price here that
attracted manufacturers in the foreign
countries and that imports from Eu-
rope had proved the salvation of the
small inland publishers during the days
after the war when, he said, both con-
tract and spot prices for paper rose to
.'unbearable limits"