The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-29
Correspondence OF the New York SUM-
The Patent ONace.

| WASHINGTON, Sept II, ls47
| noticed with much pleasure, in the Sun OF Tuesday
some editorial remarks in relation the great abos inn
posed upon the Post Office Department and the Patent
Office and the inadequate force provided by Congress to
enable those Offices OF the government discharge their
duties not familiar with the state OF things in the
Post Office Department. but with the condition OF the
Patent Office ann and | can you that your re-
marks in reference to the embarrassmens of that office
fall very far short of the truth few facts relative to
the past and present condition of the Patent Office may
be interesting to yourself and the readers OF
your wdely-crculated paper The Patent Office was re-
organized under the act of July A. 1886 Its official
personnel provided for by that act commissioner
CHEF clerk, one examiner, one draughtsnan, one ma
chns two copying and recording clerks, and one mes
senger BY the act OF March g. 1897 the commissioner
was authorized TO appoint one additional examiner and
one additional copying clerk He also authorized to
employ any number OF temporary clerks to execute the
copying and draughtlng which the necessities of the
office might require This last provision is ample for the
mere writing which the business of the Office may
|qWre and In that department OF its duties It's force
now sufficient The increase of applications for patents
rendered necessary further increase of the examining
corps; and by the act OF March Sd, 1889, the commits
soner was authorized to appoint two examiners
which is the last addition that has been authorized
made to that branch of the clerical force Of the Office
Thus more than eight years have elapsed since Con-
gress has authorized any addition to the scientific or ex
aiming corps of the Office. In 1910, the year sub
sequent to the last incyease of the scientific corps, the
number Of applications for patents 765 number of
caveats filed 22S amount Of patent fees received $37575
In lS46, the number OF applications 272 caveats
filed AS; amount of receipts 5o,264 And understand,
the present year will probably exceed 5o0 caveats 500
and receipts $4,000 The surplus the Treasury the
credit OF the Patent Office on January |, ls47. was
$ls6565. AT the end OF the present year will probably
amount to 100000 Thus, with its business and re-
ceps increased in the ratio of per cent during the
last eight years. Congress has authorized addition to
the examining force OF the office, which truth, its
essential arm The inevitable consequence (Which could
~ be avoided by the most assiduOus industry of the
Commissioner and the examiners) has been large in,
crease OF the business of the office beyond the physical
capacity OF ITS force to accomplish it. There
nearly 600 applications hand waiting for examination,
and the office nearly six months in in that branch
OF ITS business; and is every day becoming
sad prospect Tor inventors, by whose contributions the
office is supported This of things in the Patent
Commissioner. In the last report which Mr. Ellsworth
made before he retired from the office he recommended
to Congress to make provision for increase of the
aiming force, which the accommodating business of the
office then demanded. 1t was not, however, granted
The present Commissioner, Mr.. Burke in his first re-
port, reiterated the same recommendations and subse
letter to the Committee the Patent Office of the Sen
ate In his last report he repeated the recommendation
and again. before the session closed urged with all the
force which proprey would allow, letters addressed
to the committees the Patent Office in both houses
Yet no provision has been made to relieve the
Office IRON the embarrassments occasoned by the large
thus particular in this statement in order vndcate the
office and the present Commissioner from all blame,
growing out OF the dsappointmens resulting from this
state of things. At period since its establishment has
so much business been accomplished in the Patent Office
now During the last eighteen months more cases
have been examined more patents granted and re-
fused, than during any former time of the same length
the hazard OF wearyng your readers with the length
OF my letter, will add that concur fully in the enlght
ened views of the Hon. Zadock Pratt alluded to in your
late article II the present amount in the treasury the
credit OF the Patent Office invested in some pro-
ductve funds, the interest would go Tar toward de-
iTaylng the expense OF repubshng the specifications
and drawings of patented inventions. And if such
descriptions could be deposited in every congressional
district in the Union, he suggests, they would I'M
questionaby be productive of immense good to the
community. They would tend to introduce into pub.
c valuable inventions, thus saving labor and money
1t would also enable inventors TO what has been
patented and them from the trouble and expense of
applying for patents for inventions which are DID, and
connexon with reform in the patent law, which shall
make the patent conclusive evidence of the patentees
right to recover damages for nngements, until set aside
by process against for its repeal would be really the
greatest boon which Congress could confer upon the in
ventor think the country is beginning TO appreciate
the invaluable labors of the meorious inventor What
benefits has he conferred upon society," Without those
ndeiiul applications OF steam to the propulsion OF
sells and locomotives without the canal and the railroad
what would be the value of lands in the regions of the
great west and what the value of the immense crops with
world' Without the genius of the inventor the great
valley OF the Mississippi and the lakes would still be
wilderness. inhabited only by the savage and wild beast
The civilization of the world its birth and its adj
vancement to invention Let the inventor them be en-
couraged and rewarded. JUSTICE
Of-An adjourned communication the Grand lodge
OF the District of Columbia will be holden Masonic Hall
of and 10th Streets Thursday evening next
ia tn la urteIx