PULP AND PAPER

A YEAR ago the authors reported that the paper industry was on its way up from a minor dip that had reached its minimum in July 1952 and that a feeling of optimism for 1953 pervaded the industry. Beginning in April 1953 production ratios attained levels significantly above those of the previous year, and have remained there steadily, as shown by the accompanying graphs. This near-capacity rate was apparently leading to new high production records for the year. For the first three quarters, total production of paper and board amounted to 19,915,000 tons, a 10.6% increase over 1952, and this level was being maintained in the last quarter. Paper was up 3.5% and board 18.4%. There was, of course, considerable variation in different categories. Newsprint was down 6% for the first three quarters, and fine papers down 3%. Tissues and absorbent papers were up 15%, and book papers showed an 11% increase. All types of ...