Paper-Making
an account of paper-making from its earliest
known record down to the present time by
J.W. Butler Paper Company 1901
paper industry. As a seedling oak, first struggling for root-hold
and then pushing its way steadily upward through difficulties and
obstructions, it has assumed giant proportions, being now firmly
established beyond any possibility of disturbance, and sending its
branches in every direction. Many causes have contributed to this
wonderful development.
In no country of the world are books and newspapers read so
extensively as in the United States, whose people must be
thoroughly cosmopolitan if, as has been said, cc every man who
reads the newspaper is a citizen of the world." In 1776, the natal
year of our independence, there were in all the colonies
thirty-seven publications; whose total yearly output did not
exceed as many thousands; in 1900, according to tabulated
statistics, the thirty-seven had increased to twenty thousand
eight hundred and six regular daily, weekly, and monthly
publications, and their aggregate output is counted not by
thousands, nor even millions, but by billions. This too has no
reference whatever to the myriad of publications which, while
papers. I n an analysis of these interesting statistics we of Illinois find occasion for great gratification, as it develops
that in the number of her publications Illinois outstrips all of her sister states except New York, ranking a close second
in the grand total, and even taking first place in the number of her weekly issues. The following table shows the exact
figures and their divisions of the four leading states:
Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly Total
New York 186 1086 592 46 1910
Illinois 180 1109 305 18 11612
Pennsylvania 196 900 221 12 1329
Ohio 171 785 180 12 1148
An increase of such phenomenal proportions as indicated by these figures makes tremendous demands upon allied
and tributary industries, but the increase in the production of paper of the variety required has been sufficient to meet
these demands. These conditions, however, affect only one branch of the industry. The increase in the publication of
books, together with the multiplicity of commercial and industrial uses to which paper may be put, as briefly outlined in
the preceding chapter, explain an expansion that would otherwise be inexplicable. Another cause to be taken into
account, a third factor in the wonderful growth of the century, is the export trade. President Hugh J. Chisholm, in his
annual report to the American Paper and Pulp Association in New York City, February 15, 1899, made the following
statement:
"The past year has been one of marvelous expansion in the export trade of this country. Our industry has shared in
this increase of foreign trade, but not to the extent that it ought. Our own markets being the best E in the world,
manufacturers in past years have naturally confined their efforts practically to them, but we have reached such
proportions in our ability to manufacture all kinds of paper that it seems as though there was never a more opportune
time to explore and make conquest of the foreign paper market. The amount of paper exported during the eleven
months ending with November, 1897, was $4,014,842, and for the eleven months ending November, 1898,
$5,143,055, showing an increase of $1,128,213."
During the past two years there has been even a greater proportionate increase. Considering the fact that ten years
ago the exportation of paper was practically unknown, it will be quickly seen that we are fast forging to the front and
taking the position in foreign fields which, as the leading paper manufacturing country of the world, we now fully merit.
Our products are generally at a premium in foreign markets, and American genius, enterprise, and versatility are
everywhere recognized. This export trade also acts as a safety valve against overproduction, and by thus preserving
equality between supply and demand lends stability and confidence to the industry.