Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-25
PUBLISHERS DELAY
PAPER CASE ACTION
Resolution Condemning Pur-
chase of Newspapers by In
ternationaI Co. Is Tabled.
BY the Associated Press.


NEW YORK, April 25.-After a long
discussion, during which some delegates
declared the matter was one for the
Federal Government to investigate, the
American Newspaper Publishers Asso-
citation in convention today tabled, with
out a vote, resolution opposing pur-
chase by the International Paper Co. Of
stock in newspapers.
The resolution had been offered by
Col. Robert Ewing of the New Orleans
States, and before it was tabled had
been amended to include condemnation
of entrance into the newspaper field of
interests other than strictly journalistic
enterprises.
Despite the failure of the resolution,
Col, Ewing said he was well pleased
with the action of the convention in
bringing to the attention of publishers
and the public the entrance or projected
entrance Of paper companies, banks,
public utility companies and similar en-
terprises into the newspaper field.
Discussion of the resolution and the
expressions that its content was mat
ter for the Federal Government took
pldCS dIIIlOSL SIMULTANEOUSLY WIFI IIle
announcement by the Federal Trade
Commission in Washington Of the names
of four witnesses who have been sub
poenaed to testify at a hearing in con-
nection with the reported purchase of
two Boston newspapers by the 1nterrla-
tional Paper Co.
In attacking the International Paper
Co.. Col. Ewing said, ANY commercial
concern cannot be fair as both seller
and a purchaser"
The colonel and other publishers
pointed out instances of where the In
ternational either has already acquired
or has started negotiations for more
newspapers.
Officers to Be Named.
During the convention the publishers
were informed that the new machine
for setting up type direct from news
telegraph wires would possibly be ready
in the next six months.
officers will be elected during the
day and an amendment to the bylaws
to change the annual business conven-
ton from the Spring until the Fall will
be considered.
The Publishers yesterday extended a
vote of confidence to S. E. Thomson
of the Chicago Journal, and its paper
committee, of which, Mr.. Thomason is
chairman.
A resolution approving "all the actions
and activities of the paper committee"
was adopted after a full afternoon of
discussion Of the paper situation, the
International Paper Co. and the paper
committee
Earlier in the day, Mr.. Thomson
submitted his report in which he said
he would make personal statement
to the convention regarding criticism
of his committee to the effect that the
committee was Influenced by the fact
that the International Paper owns
securities of newspaper published by
the chairman.
Supply Question Is Worry.
Alleged large investments in news
paper properties by the international
Paper Co. led to criticism of that COM
pany some time ago. Recently the COM
pany announced new scale of prices
and a new form. Of contract and pub
fishers have shown great concern over
the question of paper supplies.
Mr.. Thomson told the convention
that he was director and secretary Of
a large newspaper at the time OF his
appointment to the newspaper commit
tee. He added that he twice had sub
nitted his resignation and that both
times it had been refused He said the
committee had done its utmost to hold
down the price of paper and to keep
the membership adequately advised OF
the situation.
Several leading publishers praised
Thomson and the committees work IN
the present news print situation and
paid high tribute to the manner in
which affairs had been conducted.
To Fight Minnesota Gag Law.
A resolution pledging the Publishers
Association to wage concerted f1gnt 10
repeal the Minnesota newspaper sup
preston law was adopted.
The law, passed in 1925, but not in
voked until 1927, in the case OF the
Minneapolis Saturday Press, provides
that any judge, without trial or hearing,
can enjoin any journal which, IN ms
opinion, publishes malicious, slanderous
or defamatory articles. The Saturday
Press was permanently suppressed as
nuisance" under the law.
IA report on the law, made by COM
rnittee headed by Col. Robert R. Nc
Cormick of the Chicago Tribune, which
termed the law "tyrannical, despotic,
un-American and oppressive" was &C
cepted.
After hearing an opening address by
President Edward H. Butler OF Buffalo,
the publishers attended two closed ses-
sions during the day to hear the COM
mittee reports, which also covered open
shop, postal rates, printing trades
schools, radio and traffic.
The Bureau of Advertising OF the
American Newspaper Publishers .Asso..
citation, in its annual report, said that
the past year had been the greatest IN
the bureaus history. The report stated
a survey proves conclusively that every
market supporting a daily newspaper
invites the careful study of most ma
tional advertisers"