Fine paper, total.... Fine paper, not ruled, bordered, embossed, lined, printed, or decorated. 21 21 Ledger, bond, and record paper. Tablet paper... Typewriting paper. 2222222 21 Writing, letter, note, handmade, and paper commercially known as Writing, letter, note, handmade, and paper commercially known as Envelopes, folded or flat.. Envelopes, folded or flat, bordered, embossed, printed, tinted, dec- Envelopes, folded or flat, plain.. Envelopes, folded or flat, n. s. p. f.. Domestic exports of writing paper and envelopes, 1910–1921 Domestic prices, 1910-1922. Rates of duty, 1883-1913.... Court and Treasury decisions. 22 2222 23 23 23 24 24 26 26 FINE PAPER AND ENVELOPES. ACT OF OCTOBER 3, 1913. Par. 326. Writing, letter, note, drawing, handmade paper and paper commercially known as handmade paper and machine handmade paper, japan paper and imitation japan paper by whatever name known, and ledger, bond, record, tablet, typewriter, and onionskin and imitation onionskin papers calendered or uncalendered, whether or not any such paper is ruled, bordered, embossed, printed, lined, or decorated in any manner, 25 per centum ad valorem. Par. 327. Paper envelopes, folded or flat, not specially provided for in this section, 15 per centum ad valorem. SUMMARY. FINE PAPER. Size and output.-Fine paper ranks fifth in value and sixth in tonnage among the kinds of paper produced in the United States, its 1921 production being nearly equal that of building paper, which was the next higher in the scale of production. The value of the output, however, is almost equal to that of wrapping paper and to that of newsprint paper. The output in 1919 was 343,762 tons, in 1920, 389,322 tons, and in 1921, 242,485 tons. Relation of foreign commerce to production.-Imports of fine paper into the United States are in exceedingly small volume. The production in the United States at the present time supplies practically the whole of the domestic demand, imports_amounting in 1921 to about one-third of 1 per cent of production. In 1914, when importations were largest, they amounted to only 0.44 of 1 per cent of production. Exports, on the other hand, amounted to 4.12 per cent of production in 1914 and increased to 15 per cent in 1919. Exports decreased in 1920 and 1921; yet in the latter year they still amounted to more than six times the imports. European competitive conditions.--Nevertheless, there is much fear of foreign competition in fine paper. This is due partly to the fact that before the war certain European countries, especially Germany, periodically shipped to the United States amounts of fine paper which, although not large, were sufficient to cause serious disturbances in the American market. Antitrust laws forbade combinations on the part of American manufacturers to mitigate the effects of this practice. Another reason for fearing the potential competition of Germany and other countries is that before the war these countries could obtain skilled labor at a fraction of the price prevalent here. Also certain American manufacturers maintain that on account of the superior training and family continuity of European labor, it is impossible for American manufacturers to turn out as good a product. This is a moot point, some manufacturers declaring that American paper is as good as that made anywhere. It remains true, however, that the greater amount of labor and attention necessary per unit of output for fine paper as contrasted with cheaper grades gives an advantage to countries producing under the conditions that prevailed in Europe before the war. Until the war began, protection was adequate, except for the relatively small dumping of paper below production cost which may have occurred. During the last three years of the tariff of 1909 the rate averaged an ad valorem equivalent of nearly 45 per cent. Some manufacturers allege, however, that under the 25 per cent ad valorem. rate inaugurated in October, 1913, the industry faced a dangerous competition. It is true that during the fiscal year 1914 imports. reached a record volume. Then the war came and upset all existing competitive conditions. Abnormal post-war conditions of foreign competition attendant on depreciated exchange in Europe at present (October, 1922) show few signs of improvement. It is difficult to forecast the duration of the advantage certain European countries are said to enjoy by reason of the depreciation of their currencies. ENVELOPES. The envelopes referred to in this discussion include a large number made from kraft and manila papers in addition to those of fine paper. The industry in 1919 was in the hands of 106 concerns, capitalized at $24,754,818. Most envelopes are made by separate envelope manufacturing concerns, although some are made by the concerns making fine paper. Production in 1919 was valued at $39,664,077. There is no tariff problem involved in the envelope industry. Imports in 1919 amounted to only four-hundredths of Î per cent of domestic production. 1 Owing to the substitution in 1918 by the Department of Commerce of the calendar year for the fiscal year as a basis for reporting detailed import and export statistics, the same change has been made here, figures for both the fiscal year and the calendar year being given in 1918. 2 Writing paper and envelopes. Production figures for 1909 and 1914 are from Bureau of Census; later figures from Federal Trade Com mission. • Based on quantity. • Based on value. • Calendar year. 7 Value of production in 1919, according to Bureau of Census was $87,740,806. The quantity figure shown was compiled by the Federal Trade Commission. Fine paper, as is evident from its tariff classification, has a great many subdivisions. It consists of paper made from a high grade of raw material, principally cotton and linen rags, also cotton linters, esparto, and special fibers. Sulphite wood pulp, however, is being used increasingly in making writing paper. It is impossible to exclude such medium-grade writing papers as those containing wood pulp from the general heading of fine paper, because it is desirable to treat together all classes of writing paper. Writing paper and other fine papers are much the same in texture and in the raw material used as certain high grades of book paper, except that watermarks and special finishes are used to a much greater degree. Some of the paper described in this discussion is used for printing purposes. However, this amount is relatively 40826-23-6—2 |