New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-09
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
FAILURE OF THE CATTLE-CAR DESIGNS.
liz Ir III

FAILURE
TO the EdttOr Of The Trtbane.
SIR: The announcement in to-day's TRIB-
uNE that the American Humane Association. at ther
session in Boston, notify that OF the 700 de-
signs for catecars thai have been presented mas 80
complied with the requirements therefor that inc prize
of s. 900 voted by the Association can be awarded 10
its inventor seems TO be severe reflection on Amen
can inventive genius. If the public is given state
nen of the case this aspect of viii be quite changed
Notwithstanding that 700 competitors sounds Ike
vigorous competition, the award offered was ho1 enough
to elicit the best inventive powers OF the country DC
eause that kind OF invention would not be compensated
nor satisfied with SO small share of the product OF It's
own mind while the railroads were coming millions out
of what cost them nothing as the Association had
agreed that invention should be the uRembarrassed
property Association; and that the Invention
should be offered without charge to railway company
that will use it in its livestock business still greater
mistake of the Association is that they say in theircTc
lar of July 12 1885, ave the right OF dividing
the S. 900 prizes to different inventors
etc" Five thousand dollars divided by two or more has It's
attracveness seriously marred Again. the inventor Is
forced TO too much expense by the required conditions
"He must convey . patent for the United states
and Canada OF the invention, etc., also, All the reason
able expenses which shall be incurred by us in determn
ing the originality and validity OF the patents OF success
ful competitors will be deducted from the prize awarded
each" United States patent usually costs $780, and
Canadian patent $50. Add the expenses OF try
ing the validity of patents, and of material and
manufacture Of model with unexpected
onavs then deduct this from probable one-third
Of AZ 900 and the remainder does not attract genius.
unless temporarily pushed to resort to such an eort or
bread Finally, too much required OF the inventor
He was expected TO produce plan which can be most
readily and cheaply adapted TO the catteear now IN
useD 1t is almost if not quite, mechanical mpossl-
bity to make such adaptation cheaply because the
existing cattlecaIs not built Of any Uniform SIC
The inventor was also required to present car which
can be most easily adapted to the transportation OF
other live animals and merchandise Any attempt 10
do this must Of necessity embarass the inventor beyond
recovery. ,,o.to -.
The work of the American Humane Association mas
been in the interest of humanity, and 10 10 be aude
They have acted with the best light which new ex
perence afforded But their failure TO remedy great
wrong must not be permitted 20 stand permanent
failure The Association is 10 be thanked for the public
impression il has made by scattering broadcast the
knowledge which has obtained and for the creation OF
a sentiment which must mature into some healthiui
mode OF bringing live stock from the West Expense
must have judcious consideration, but the danger 70
our cities great tina expense must take snbordl
nate nIace in the inertia OF the question. T.. L.
Princeton, N. j., Oct. 20, 1881.