New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-04
ELECTRIC LIGHT PATENTS.
SATISFIED IF MR.. EDISON IS

A TALK WITH PRESIDENT FLINT, OF THE UNITED
STATES Electric LIGH ING COMPANY, CONCERN
ING THE RECENT PATENT DECISION.
The statement of Vice-Presdent Eaton, of the
Edlson Electric Light Company, that the decision of
the Commissioner of Patents in favor of Mr. Maxim
one OF the electricians of the United States Electric
Lighting Company in the case against Mr.. Edison
involving the platinum lamp, was of no practical
importance, as the invention forms no part of
the Edison system, received with good deal of
surprise yester ay by President Flint of the United
States Company In conversation with reporter of
The TRIBUNE he said:
This lnven ion which is now declared to be
Valueess is the one which was heralded in April,
1879, as the invention of Mr.. Edison, which was
to effect complete revolution in illumination.
me result of 1T for a time very
disastrous. The gas stocks. greatly
deprecated in value, not only in this country but in
Europe. In this country the value of gas stocks
was estimated at that time at 100000, 600. The
decne In those stocks In both countries may safely
be estimated at not less than 500 600 900. On the
other hand the stock of the Edison Company shot up
from 800 share to 81 900 The invention of Mr..
Maxim antedates that of Mr. Edison. The claims of
the rival inventors were submitted to the Examiner
OF lnterterenceS, and after thorough Investigation
he decided in favor f Mr.. Maxim. Mr.. Edison ap-
peaed to the Examners-in- Chief and they also de-
ciared Ill favor of Mr. Maxim Finally Mr.. Edison
appealed To the Commissioner of Patents, and he
affirmed the decision of his subordinates.
Moses G. Farmer long before this controversy
had experimental and solved the principles of the
incandescent light This company established
in June 1878. 1t is older than the Edison Com
pany. 1t did not allow any stock to be is
sued for three years. in fact not until three months
ago. Meantime the company conducting ex-
periments 1t has the benefit of thirty years expe-
rence of Professor Farmer. We have made a prac-
teal illustration of the lamps manufactured by the
company in the Equitable Life and other buildings
We have also developed mandatory so that
we now have the greatest facilities in the world for
turning out electrical lighting apparatus.
AS 10 our patent position IL is q very easy mat
ter TO make statements but eventually the status of
the inventions must be settled in the courts 1t can
not be adJudicated by the newspapers, or anywhere
else outside OF the courts. We are willing to test
the matter. The only way to anticipate the final
decision of the courts is to consult eminent counsel
and experts. We have retained many of the ablest
lawyers and experts in the country. and they advise
US that our patent position is secure aud unassail
able. We took their advice before expenuing
S60OOOO in manufacturing facilities. As - business
man have told you what have done and are
doing. Our business is constantly extending. Our
lamps are now used in the principal cities of the
country including those in the South and West and
also London and Paris. These include both the
VoltaIc and the incandescent."