TIIE PRINTER AND PUBLISHER

ditions with many manufacturers and dealers in the East, with-
in the las fewv d ys The opnion prevails nerally that the
demand fnor nes, and other papers composed mainly of ground
wod, ha fallen o and consequently manufaturer are stirring
themsves to seleli
" Deaers e consequently somewhat unsettled and are ask-
ig lower prices Production is always curtailed at this season
by short vater and repairs aid as an increased demand will un-
doubtedly occur in the fall I believe manufacturers should hold
firmly to the prices maintained for a year since, even at the cost
of a few days' shut down or the storage of a little product. The
impression seems to be pretty general that the consumption from
Sep er until spring will quite equal the production. am
informed that the export trade has decreased, lower prices
abroad and good demand at home durig the past few months
contributing somewhat to this condition. Consequently, I iel
safe in advising manufacturers in this line to maiatain prices, at
least during the suommer months. While increased production
has generally increased competition and made lower prices
heretofore, it is interesting to note the opposite tendency in cost
pricee of te raw material, spruce wood. Pulp wood is beaom-
ng scarcer year to year, landnd ad stumpage are increasing in
value, and Canada threatens an export duty. I think our manu-
acturers should very seriously consider whether their present
)rofits, while apparently adequate, are really sufficient to pay in-
erest on investment and honestly maintain properties."
Vice-President M. J. Fitchs report on straw wrapping was
n able effort and reviewed the history of this branch for the
ast four years and the vicissitudes through which it has passed
i that period. A comparison showed that in I892 there were
7 mills producing 400 tons daily, and now there are 37 mills
th a daily production of 35o tons. The question is asked:
With 50 tons less daily to be disposed of, and a growing ter-
ory to be supplied, why should prices be so demoralized ?
oceeding, Mr. Fitch says:-
" The quality of the paper, notwithstanding the low price,
far superior to that made formerly. Paper such as was made
en would find no sale now.
"There are several reasons to account for this low price and
all demand. Of late years there has conle intoextensive use
o-called butchers' manilla, and the daily production of tlis is
obably 75 tons, and as every pound of this paper used dis-
ces 2 pounds of straw this will account for i50 tons daily of
sw not used. Then No. 2 manilla is being used very largely
wrapping bread and other light articles for which bakers' or
t weight straw was formerly used. This will account for at
t 2o tons per day. Then bags made of heavy express paper
e been and are coming more and more into general use for
irs and other groceries, for which large sheets of heavy
er were formerly used. This will account for 25 tons per e
and ot bs at astns S ather bags at leat 5 tons. So that there are at least
tons daily taking the place of straw paper. Then the
ers, who formerly used very largely thick straw paper for
?ping hams and other of their products, are now using
illa or fibre paper, and this amounts to several tons daily.
n the foregoing you will readily understand that the use of
other materials must surely permanently affect the con-
ition of straw paper."
Lr. W. H. Parsons reported for the wood pulp division.
rring to the talk about overproductuion of paper he urged

AMERICAN PAPER MANUFACTURERS MEET.
Te m?idsWnWme _nri of the A i ap Mufac
tumreras' Aso tia h *birh mwas. hl , t the Internationsl hotel
Nige ilN,,n Wa e nd, d T J y 22 ad
23, was a i gre s b Q p of n e anod resl1t
The _ mmas-prest me wit a iaddress of wtelome by
Maaor J F. Shoelilfif Presidet Pers' a ddr ontained
much ofinteret to the members. Reviewin the ade pro-
spects, he said:
l The p six he wrought no particular changes
in our business, whic thoug suferis froam the depression
that bas aflicted all our manufacturing interests, bas mana ed
a fair share of business prosperity.
"While the pending Presidential contest may add to the
consumption of nws paper, the laek of general business seri-
ously affects the eorimption of the fine grades, and of the
-rapping i coer line of paper, brougt about larely by
the uncertainty o i ur potical and fianial condition.
" We can but wait, and indulge in the hope that a new year
and a brighter ea mill give us the increased trade we so
earnestly strie for, aud the more l ut tive _argins of profits of
whlch we so sorely stand in need
"The superior failities afforded our manufacturers of news f
paper le1i me to believe that in a short time we will supply V
the prinripal eonsumers of England and her coloies and itis t
lot expecting too much to sa that we should, before long, t
send to those countries large suppies of fibre, both sulphite and
sodaW as well as ground ood. Already large orders for the two
frmer have Wen sent here, and the suerior qualities of our
ground wood will soon, I hope, enable the makers of this article
to regain the large trade with which they were favored a year or 4'
two sine. wi
Regret is alo expresed that Mr. Fremont W. Spicer wa
unable to go to South America to mate investigations as to the
development of trad in American paper, and the subject is
commended to the mbe r mm for consideration")
The secretarys report shows that there are 2o9 names is
tmow on the roll of metmbership, and that the association is th
flourlshing.
The reports of the e-preidnts the hcereid e various branches sm
wsre intereiting and showed clearly the state of the trade as a s
viewed by practical men who know what they are tiaking pr
about. plai
R C. Rogers, on behalf of the writing division, reported: str
1 think the writing branch of the trade is in about the same for
condition as the other branches, and when we hear from the ligh
other branhes you will then know about the condition of the leas
writing division." havi
J. N. Mohr, ve-president of the book paper division, wrote: suge
There is very little of interest to be reported from the pap
book paper division. On acunt of the dulness of trade, the day
past six months have been exceedingly trying, and it is very dif 200
ficult to keep the plant in full operation. But in this respect pac
we do t stand alne ;other businesses have suffered even ra
mre than rs. Though the olume of paper produced during man
the last six months is about the same as in the corresponding Fro
months of last year prices are lower; but we hope that this thes
ondition of affairs will be changed by an increasing demanid." sume
ViFreident G. C. Sherman, of the news division, re- 1
rd "I have t some pains to meet and diseuss con- Refe

i

August, 1896

.1
??
1
i
??
4i

i

i