Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-07
VOL. XII.
Telephone SuIls.

L ihclc S'tliiS 10 Dc SOult llllSuUVbrSlunQ-
ing as to the Importance of the telephone
case recently argued before Secretary Tel
Ter. 1t is only one of the cases in which
he question is who invented thelelephonep ?
The immediate controversy is rs to the
transmi,ter. Drawbaugh, Z ison and
Blake, have all invented transmilters, but
Bake and Edison have sold their patents
10 the Bell telephone company, while
Draw wbaugh is LETT out in the cold Draw
baugh, WHO, is IL Pennsylvania mechanic,
asserts that he lnvente ed the speaking tele
phone in 1868 or 1860. and his neighoors
testify they heard conversations carried on
through what they called the " talking
machine" Upon this testimony, Draw.
baugh claims that Bell did not discover
"the new art of transmitting speech by
electricity His claim covers not only
the transmilter, but the whole art. Tele-
phone experts and patent lawyers say that
Draw wbaugh cannot have n patent because
he failed to apply for it in lime, the time
limited by law, but if his claims of priori-
ty of discovery, and if the actual public use
of his machine shall be sustained by the
courts, the Bell, Blake and Edison patents
are all invalid, because by the use of the
unpatenled instrument. Drawbaush gave
the telephone to the people.
In view of the fact that Drawbaugh can
not reap any advantage from the establish
ment of his claim. and that the results of a
decision in his favor can only be the inval-
dation of the patents owned and cortro-
ed by the American Bell Telephone Com
pany. it is asked why the suit is prose-
cutedp Those who are interested in the
telephone business say that the contro-
versy is not maintained in good faith. and
that Drawbaugh or those who are inter-
ested in his inventions are simply endea.
voring TO secure compromise and to make
a sale to the Bell company. 1t is under
stood that testimony in the issue of prior
| ty has been about closed in the whole
case, as it affects both the transmitter and
he whole telephone. This question has
not, however, been argued before the ex-
aminer of interferences. The subject that
has been considered is. whether Draw
baugh's transmitter interferas with Blake s
and Edison's. The commissioner of pa
tents has decided that it doas interfere
with Blake's, but that it differs from Eli
sons. Drawbaugh insists that it differs
from both, and therefore appeals, while
Edison takes exception to the ruling that
| III bOtb uol lutCilClC Will llllu
Edison and Blake are both representatives
Of the Bell company. These are the ques
tions now pending before the secretary of
the interior. If he Shall decide in favor
OF Drawbaughs claim. then Drawbaugh
will have transmltler which is not al
infringement on either Blake or E Olson
Then VIII come the question of lIs pract
cal use. Bell, SO lar as The decisions OF
| he courts 90, will still own the right to
use an undula ory cui rent OF electricity fo
Lhe transmission of speech and Draw
btngh's tranemi ter will be of no avail to
| nim unless the Bell Company shall see iii
| 10 pui chase it. A transmit ter is of no
value unless it can transmit something
| ind without the right to use the undua-
ory current Diawbaugh's invention will
no of no plac lcal use. He must first es-
ablish his claim 10 the priority Of inven.
ion of he speaking telephone.
If the secreIalys decision shall be
against Draw baugh nothing will have
oren finally determined, Then, as lhe
transmuters interfere, the question OF the
priority of invention of the transmltte'
rrcurs. Another year at least will b,
consumed in reac hing the conclusion
winch will establish Or defeat Dlawbaugh
clam.
In another year, probably, the beauty
# Washington will not be marred by the
hundreds of telegraph wires that art
ST. ung everywhere, but especially above
md about the government buildings. The
government and the Western Union own
most of these lines, and the authorities oi
the district have determined 10 be rid OF
he upsightly Things. The lines controlled
oy The district commissioners and by the
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds are to he placed at once under
yround. ! he contract has been lei 10 lh.
S andard Underground Gable Company
This will take down number Of wires
The Postal Telegraph Company has re-
emily received Il permit to enter the city
On condition that its wires, from the boun-
,iary 10 the central office, shall be laid
underground. The next move will be o
compel the Western Union to sink its IS
or 100 wires. The commissioners can not
compel the company to do this, because its
charter permits it to bring in its wires on
poles, but request will be made to Con-
gress that the charter may be modified in
Vhis respect Washington Correspondence
Of The Boston Post.