Newsprint

Among the first signs of war in most European cities were lean newspapers. Stripped of their usual verbiage, they were cut down to eight or twelve or 16 pages, in Poland to one sheet. Object (see p. 19): to save newsprint. Many a U. S. publisher, watching his circulation figures soar as fat editions pushed each other off his presses, wondered if presently he too might not feel a paper shortage, followed by rising prices. In World War I newsprint went from $40 a ton to a 1920 peak of $111.

Last week U. S. publishers were reassured. The Newsprint Association of Canada announced that its mills could meet increasing demands, were pledged to abstain from profiteering. A few days later mighty International Paper Co., whose price usually guides the market, said that until next spring newsprint would continue to sell at $50 a ton.

Not philanthropy but common sense kept the producers from hiking their price. In 1913 newsprint mills were running at about 85% of capacity, could not keep pace with expanding Wartime needs. Since the War production has far outstripped normal peacetime needs. Last year the mills ran at only 65% of capacity, had more than enough in reserve to keep the presses of the U. S. rolling.

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