The publication charge plan in physics journals

Under the “publication‐charge plans” of most American physics journals, income needed to meet publishing expense is derived not only from subscription and dues payments, but also from a charge against authors' institutions at a fixed rate per page. The charge is not obligatory, editorial acceptance of articles being unaffected by its payment or nonpayment, but nearly all institutions, companies, and agencies supporting research have accepted the moral obligation of meeting it.