New-York tribune., 1921-04-28
Publishers Are
Firm for the
48-HOllr Week
Thirty.fifth Annual Con-
vention of American As.
sociation Opens at the
Waldorf Astoria' Hotel
Cooperation With the Gov
ernment in Restoring
World Peace Is Urged

yshers' Association, at its thirty-ffth
annual convention, which began yes-
.srday at the Waldorf-Astoria, adopt~
ed resolution declaring against a
reduction of the hours constituting
weeks work below forty~eight. The
resolution, offered by w. T. Anderson,
Of the Macon. Ga, Telegraph, further
;ndcrsed the efforts of members of the
association who are endeavoring to
maintain the forty-eight hour week"
ard pledged them the body's cooper
alton and support.
In connection with the discussion
Of labor questions, Thomas r.. Will
isms, OF the Pittsburgh Press, prcsi-
dent of the association. was author
sed to appoint committee to negoti-
ate with the ions-typographical,
printers, stereotypers and photo-en
sravers-new ALTERATION contracts to
become effective May l.
Nineteen Strikes Reported
Action on the resolution followed the
reading of the report of the special
standing committee, of which II. N.
Kellogg, of Indianapolis. is chairman.
The report said that MANY members of
the association have had serious differ
ences with labor unions of the print
ing trade during the last year. 1t said
that there were nineteen strikes, most
OF which were Illegal, and twenty four
rear-strikes. In most OF the cities in
which difficulties occurred settlements
were finally made and union conditions
continued the reDOrf StateN,>
In recommending that the associa-
ton should not consent to arbitration
agreements which carry less than
forty-eight honrs, the report said {:
"There is no question that the
officers of the international Union will
propose that the association agree to
accept fortyfour hours under the new
arbitration contract"
Commenting on conditions generally,
the report read: "In spite OF substan-
tial reductions in living costs and de-
creases in wages in many industries,
the great majority Of unions or the
printing trades have presented propoI
sails for large increases in wages and
many contracts have been made during
the last six months which provide ad-
vances. There have, however, been
forty-siX unions that were reasonable,
with the result that new contracts with
these unions were maze, carrying the
same wages as before, or old agree
ments were extended without change"
600 Delegates Present
The convention, attended by more
than 600 delegates, will continue
through tomorrow 1t was opened
sith an address by President Williams.
who, warning against possible future
generalization in the newsprint mar
ket, declared newspaper rates should
not be allowed to descend.
Mr. Williams said the newspapers
must meet problems in both materials
snd labor, since the average contract
price of newsprint for the first six
months of this year "is higher than the
average contract price for all last
year, and labor is at the highest point
known"
while the outlook in the newsprint
market may be regarded as improv-
ing from the publishers viewpoint" he
said, sit has been pointed out that
the market may become demoralized to
such an extent that later in the year
some publishers may be tempted to
make reductions in subscriptions or
advertising rates and throw down the
fars TO all the old-time wasteful prac
tlce and bad business methods the
abolshment of which has been the
chief constructive advantage gained
curing the war and the newsprint
manipulation of 1920. These advan-
tages must not be surrendered for any
temporary fluctuations in costs
Economic Activities
Mr.. Williams said the associations
activities during the last year were
conferred in economic measures, in
Guiding national legislation for the con-
servation of forests, stabilizing the
newsprint market through greater
economy in the use of paper, with
Standardization of weights and sizes
and surveys of ink and carbon black
resources with view toward protec-
ton against depletion of supplies.
Inc appointment of newspaper me-
cnanlcal engineer to increase mechani-
cal efficiency. and legislative expert
10 supervise legislation affecting pa
pers were his suggestions for extend
''g the usefulness of the association.
After urging the publishers to CO.
operate with governmen forces in re-
storing world peace and bringing busi-
ness conditions back to normalcy, "and
especially in repeating unnecessary
wartime legislation and obnoxious fea-
Wii,ss lures of Federal taxation laws" Mr..
Williams said:
With these fundamentals estab-
nsned it will be with more telling effect
:nat newspapers can continue~preach
lug the gospel of optimism, the restor-
,ng OF confidence, the bringing back to
nn11rmalcy of our country's business.
.v,n:viousiy, the accomplishme of these
WI sa.hgs forms the solution of our pres
Gu. newspaper problems, which gath
sIed together and boiled down to a
phrase is the abnormally high cost Of
Production"
Oppose Cut in Ad Rates
:, Inc report of the paper committee.
ua,sh VI winch f. P. Adler is chairman, said
paplsners should not yield to the i'm
sJJa.uhlties sJties of various advertisers and
Ing rates.
a;n;I t;roduction costs have not as yet
Furnished" the report continued. "The
rSvi ra".,. scales, both directly and indi-
MY nave Increased and continue to
s.sts"e. .stease. Other costs continue either
Nsnohary or show an upward trend.
5k 5k"Sprlnt on contract averaging about
for tents Tor 1920 now averages 6 cents
AN sne hrst six months of this year, or
sysra Increase of $40 ton over last years
Il itage. nag This condition should make
IN pasent s to all that. with the reduction
VIII 'oiume pun; of advertising, publishers
o. oad yield to the clamor for reduction
With pitbusertislng seg rates may be confronted
"iea M serious difficulties'n
seyenthg the convention recess the
Of aduavual sn annual luncheon Of the bureau
held dS;se.rtislng J., of thk association was
It waa ~ sae @ Grand Ballroom of the hotel.