Increased Prices of Publications by E. R. Palmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 2, 1916

Increased Prices of Publications

By E. R. Palmer

IN several previous articles we have attempted to keep our brethren and sisters informed concerning the increases in the cost of materials entering into the production of our denominational literature. As prices have continued to advance rapidly, and as no relief is in sight, it has seemed evident for some time that in the near future it would be necessary to increase the prices of our publications.

We have wished to avoid this if possible. The Lord has helped us in many ways in our efforts to get job lots of supplies at reduced prices. The great war has now been in progress more than two years, and the situation has been continually growing worse; but we have not been forced until now to take any important steps in this matter. Finally a situation has developed which requires definite action. The whole situation was given careful study at the recent autumn council by members of the Publishing Department, and by the General Conference and North American Division Conference Committees. The situation, briefly stated, as presented to the autumn council, is as follows:—

The cost of paper, which is our chief item of expense, has more than doubled. All other items entering into the manufacture of books and periodicals have also increased from ten to one hundred per cent in price. The effect of this increase upon our three leading publishing houses means an increase in the cost of production during the coming year as follows:—

INCREASED COST Review and Herald...........$50,000 Pacific Press................ 50,000 Southern Publishing Association 30,000

The above calculations are figured upon conditions prevailing on October 1. Since then prices have continued to go up, and no one can tell what the end may be. If the prices of materials should not advance above present quotations, and if we should leave the subscription prices of our periodicals as in the past, the losses on Review and Herald periodicals for the year 1917 would be as follows:—

Review .................... $4,248.44 Present Truth Series ........ 2,705.41 Youth’s Instructor .......... 4,094.10 Temperance Instructor ....... 2,321.18 Sabbath School Worker ....... 1,044.74 Educator ...................... 618.06 Gazette ....................... 533.16 Life and Health ............. 5,446.47 Liberty ........................ 185.08 Total ...................... $21,106.64

Periodicals issued by our other publishing houses would be affected approximately the same as ours.

When all these facts had been placed before our leading brethren in council, they decided that the only proper thing to do under the circumstances was to raise the prices of our books and periodicals.

No attempt was made to cover the entire loss. The Lord has blessed our publishing houses the past few years. Our work during the most prosperous years has shown a profit of about seven per cent on the full overturn of business. There is every reason to believe that this work will continue to prosper. It seemed only right, therefore, that as much as possible of the earnings of the publishing houses should be applied to meet a portion of this increased cost of materials, and that the remainder should be met by an increase in retail prices.

In the case of the Review and Herald office, for example, the figures above show that the increased cost of materials will be at least $50,000. It is estimated that the increases in prices agreed upon should make up from $20,000 to $25,000 of this amount. The rest must be met, if possible, from the earnings of the institution.

The increase agreed upon for subscription books is approximately 50 cents a copy. On tracts and other lines of literature the increase proposed is very slight. On periodicals the increase is from 10 to 25 cents on each subscription, and 1 cent a copy on magazines. In some cases it has been necessary to cut down the number of pages, but in most instances it seemed inadvisable to do this. In the near future we will issue a complete price list for 1917.

The heads of our departments will do everything in their power to give information and extend help to all our people who are affected by these changes. Our hearts are with you in this matter. We regret very keenly the necessity of taking this step, but it was a great satisfaction to us that the autumn council, made up of our leading men, was in perfect accord, and voted unanimously on this question after all the facts in the situation had been placed before them. We are not depressed at all by these conditions. The work is the Lord’s, and he will care for his own. We have much to be thankful for, and the rapid progress of the third angel’s message under trying conditions should fill our hearts with confidence and joy.

REVIEW AND HERALD PUB. ASSN., E. R. Palmer, Manager.