The daily gazette., 1880-11-22
TAX ON BOOTS AND SHOES.
MANUFACTURERS THINK 1T TIME TO
STOP PAYING ROYALTIES TO THE
MCKAY COMPANY.

MANUHACTUHERS M THINK IL TIME ~
STOP PAYING ROYALTIES TO THE
MCKAY COMPANY.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19.-In the
Boot and Shoe Convention yesterday a
circular from the Mckay Sewing Ma"
chine Company, signed by Gordon
Mckay, trustee, denying that the
patents have expired, was distributed
among the delegates. Mr.. Mckay
also said that it was proposed to offer
terms much more favorable to the
company's licenses, and concluded
that no application to Congress for the
extension of the shoe and process pat
ents had beon made or WAS contem-
plateG.
Mr.. Davis of Lynn, Mass, reported
that he had had an interview with Mr..
Mckay, and that the latter claimed
that the patents were valid up to 1881,
except the speed patent, which would
run until 1887. Mr.. Davis said that
the Lynn manufacturers held that they
were bound by contract to Mr.. Mckay
and that their only resource was to
auandon the use of his machines. Mr..
Mckay had suggested that he would
sell the machines in fee simple for
$500 apiece. That, Mr.. Davis said,
did not quite suit him, because his
machines would cost him over 81, 1000,
which would be a dead loss, as he
should at once take off the two cents
on each pair Of shoes which he was
now charging to pay the product roy
atty. The measure would also be hard
upon q small manufacturer, on ac-
count of cost, and would practically
make the large manufacturers their
competitors.
Mr. Mackenzie of Cincinnati followed
on the other side, contending, first, that
the patents OF tine Mckay Company had
expired, and, secondly, that they were
absurd from the beginning. "Patent
the process of making shoe !" exclaim-
ed Mr.. Mackenzie. "Why, that process
was well known before we were born,
and must have been familiar to Moses in
the wilderness, aud was certainly under
stood by st. Cnspin." He meant to
contend for his rights, and would never
pay cent Of royalty, 10 which he be-
lieved the Mckay Company were not
entitled. AT this point the Convention
adjourned until to-day.
| To-day Mr.. Mckay was allowed TO ar
que his case before the Convention. He
said: "Whether there should be re-
duction of royalty between Aug. 81, 1881,
aud Dec. 81, 1881, is matter of opin-
ion. We should be glad to refer the
matter TO our Executive Committee and
let them take the matter into considera-
ton, and the committee you have select
ed may confer with them. After 1882
we will make a machine which we can
sell at price so low that no shoe manu-
facturer viii care to make it himself"
MIR. Rsckleman inquired the reason
for McISay's dissemination against man.
| utacturers IN the country in the price of
his machines. The answer was that no
patents on the Mckay machines were
held in Canada. Mr.. Mckenzie propos-
ed that the question of :he validity OF
the patents should be tested by a mutual
agreement aud carried directly to the
Supreme Court of the United States,
and that pending tho decision the manu-
fsoturers should pay their royalties to a
recei YER, with the understanding that in
the event of The patents not being sus-
tlined the money should he refunded
MIR. Mckay, however, did not take kind
| ly to this proposition. Very little satls-
was obtained from Mt. Nj cKay ,and after
some further questions he withdrew
The mootod question of the Mckay mat
ter was referred to the Executive Com
mite with power to ACT. The ConYen-
tiou then adjourned until tomorrow
| morning.