FEDS PROBE PAPER PRICING PRACTICES

By: Staff reports Justice Considers Possible Antitrust Violations



The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed last week that it is investigating
possible antitrust violations by newsprint manufacturers. The criminal probe
of possible anticompetitive practices is being run by the antitrust division's
regional office in Cleveland, where, according to a report in The Wall Street
Journal , a grand jury subpoenaed '30 or 40 Canadian newsprint salesmen.'



The inquiry focuses on the years 1994 and 1995, when newsprint prices rose from
about $450 to more than $650 per ton, according to Resource Information Systems
Inc. figures.



Since that time, prices plunged back below $500 for some customers, followed by
an increase last year, with another expected this year.



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Staff reports











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