New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-17
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
CANNOT BE TOO THOROUGH.
LETTER FROM T. X. FUNK.
- EditOr Of me Tribune.


To the Edft0r or me Tribune.
SIR: 1t is not at all certain that the copy
right meas re will pass the present session Il GER
talnly will not except through systematic, persistent
pushing This not political BILL and this peculiarly
year Of political Besides there is reason to
fear that many Of the friends Of the measure do not com
prehend fuy the force in the undrtow OF opposition.
Il is not WISE as renewedy discus ed in quarters.
10 load the bill with the manufacturing clause principally
for two reasons: o. This may cause long delay in
the passage OF reciprocal bin through Parliament; and
M il IA not 10 the in crest OF American manufactures
Even now America tho better market for books, ana
the future il side. No American author viii
think Of supplying this market from England, but many
an English author viii think Of supplying the English
market America There economy in manufacturing
but single set Of plates The tariff and the better
ket are with US With these advantages It would be
strange indeed II the American publisher could not Outbd
orten hs English competitor both markets Even
an American firm has not found IL difficult 10 contract
with eminent author AlphOnse Daudet for the ex
elusive control OF the American and English markets.
VIII copyright increase the price OF books Yes,
somewhat the price OF books and IL ought to- The
vast world Of books published viii not be affected by
copyright. book cannot he sold at 10 cents with
fairness 10 the author. II cannot have cheap books
and be fair then let cheap books perish We dispense
with the cheap book better than with justice No ind
yidua no can permanently profit by wrong doing
ual universe gravity upward Benent in the long run
is ever side Of right. these simple tusms Of
course but strict application OF them in commercial and
political life Will prove such novelties that would DO
worth reign OF high prices to witness the result
But the public Is exaggsratng the danger from the
English printed book the demand that determines
the price VI books The American publisher seils copy
rghted books reasonable prices now, because II pays
him The same motive will govern him after an ex-
tension OF copy and It VIII operate equally with the
English publisher Then the relntiye demand for English
and American books rapidly changing In favor OF the
American Ths country has Outgrown lis colonial and
provincial literary dependency There IS many an Amer
lean paper scholar whose Endorsement carries more
weight IN securing the 81 book than does the in
dcrsemcnt OF the host known English or Continental
paper scholar This was not always so. Who now,
before purchasing. asks what English critics think OF
bOOkl The author who In tho rapidly advancing future
will hold the American market Will DO the
distinctiyCly American author. Every nation When
IL comes TO itsef must have literature that gives ex
preston ia life and Manners and brings INTO clearer
light A ideals The literature need must develop
along the lines Of the grow tn or our national social
spiritual e II must breathe air, grow from our soil.
Is II brlg and buster 10 that In few years there viii
| he greater demand In England for American books,
than in America for Ensish books Tt would be an anus
ing but not impossible turn " the whirllgg OF time
should English publisher Objectlng 10 copy
protect trade The future, doubtless
| has many surprises more wonderful than that
IL 10 objected thai there Is too much laste In pushing