I4O PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



high German duty on importations. The German tariff is a safe 

 guard to the paper industry. 



Concerning reexportation, there is certainly a good business to 

 be done through the medium of Hamburg paper firms, if the pro- 

 ducers in the United States would comply with the requirements of 

 the different markets. The regular 2 per cent off for cash after 

 thirty days is not accepted by American manufacturers, these in- 

 sisting upon cash against shipping documents in New York. This 

 is not popular here, and few will agree to buy on such terms. Re- 

 quirements such as bales fit for transportation by mules, seaworthy 

 packing, pressed bales, etc., are also not met by American manu- 

 facturers. The high freight rates from New York to Hamburg and 

 from Hamburg to the different ports of destination on nonpressed 

 bales are great obstacles to our business; also the circumstance that 

 we do not supply seaworthy bales, but use expensive boxes (on which 

 the freight is higher) or burlap, which is very thick, but not strong 

 and tough. 



It is claimed that the United States manufacturers do not en- 

 deavor to meet the foreign requirements, but that they want con- 

 sumers here to adopt their modes and methods. It is also stated 

 that, if made in large quantities, the printing paper is not properly 

 assorted, but second and third grades are mixed together, thus de- 

 creasing the value of the entire lot. Pressing wrinkles and thick 

 knots are also said to spoil large lots of goods. Such sheets ought 

 to be taken out; it is claimed, however, that many manufacturers 

 refuse to do it. 



There are other facts which greatly interfere with the American 

 paper reexport trade in Hamburg. For instance, the duty on paper 

 at the different ports of destination generally equals the value of the 

 paper itself; notwithstanding that, there are cases where American 

 manufacturers have delivered an overweight of 25 per cent and more, 

 for which they made no charge on the invoice, believing that in this 

 manner they are treating their customers here more cordially. They 

 do not realize that this overweight is exactly what makes the paper 

 of so much less value for newspaper printers, as a certain number of 

 the newspapers or periodicals are to cover a certain post-office weight; 

 and if the paper is 25 per cent heavier, it is evident that but few 

 newspaper printers can use it, the postage on the heavier paper be- 

 ing too high. The American producer does not realize that this 

 overweight, for which he made no charge at all, makes the paper 

 about 40 to 50 per cent dearer, in any case, on account of the higher 

 duty and freight charges, not to mention the penalties which are 

 likely to be inflicted by the custom-house authorities at the different 

 ports of destination. Buyers here claim that, with but few excep- 



