<B>Newsprint Production Improves</B>

The most recent figures from the American Forest and Paper Association shows newsprint production climbing by 4.9 percent from figures the same time last year. Production totals for August stand at 621,000 tons, bringing the eight-month total to 4.945 million tons.

The totals for the month compare favorably with last August's total of 597,000 tons, and an eight-month production figure of 4.713 million tons.

The shipment of finished newsprint also continues to improve, the AFPA reports. For the first eight months of this year shipments are up 5.3 percent compared to figures the same time last year.

The improvement is partly a reflection of the ability of North American newsprint producers to reduce their production schedules earlier this year. With supply and demand in strong balance, newsprint producers have been pushing higher prices for newsprint.