New-York tribune., 1884-03-01

tro aoubt undersigned, in his effort 10 Offset the high
prices customary for new books In England when NO
that within at frtbesi they In most cases
sink to half to third to a fourth, and sometimes to
egt IN OF the prices at which they appear IN the pub
shers list" II this remarkable statement had amy real
foundation In the sense in which Professor Lounshury
desires it to be understood every publisher in England
and every dealer in new books. would be bankrupt
Professor Eounsbury does not know that these low prices
which he sees quoted in catalogues are for secondhand
libraries dispose their surplus stock the demands
OF their subscribers ia of for the literature Of the day
To mention this of cheap literature for fifty
millions Of Americans argues such profound Ignorance OF
the whole subject to deprive Professor Lounsburys
opinions OF all claim to serious consideration is u
possible that lac ventures 90 grayey the matter
without knowing that the ordinary middle English
prices relies the circulating libraries for his itea-
tnre; that the Libraries the argestn some cases
that they periodically work of their surplus stock OF soed
Gr fresh copies at such prices as they VIII IeSn hrh %
he desires to see introduced in mis- country
10 is evidently "a work of surG lusage To demonstIaIe
further the ns1nndness of Professor LOunsburys theo-
ries based they on self satsned wiu1 o hnoWI
edge oa perhaps another eIe a. fbaf he Enc
lsh publishing houses VIII seeh 10 supply our nithetS
from their own presses and Will decline to license Anel-
can reprints His convictions as TO this are doubtless
honest but they simply individual eonyc"nS % en- ana ana
at variance with the uniform eHperionee 2l al Wo
have any practical acquaintance with the business. IL
have steadily opposed all negotatlons containing u
provision for reproduction here as condition o Alnerl,
copyright It IL, DcNtNe gcncfdly lhucintOou
that socaed Harper treaty fell through III consc-
QueDce Of the opposition OF the English HOUSES 10 meas
upon English publishers. the benefit of Our markets
One such fact ouweghs al. the Prtort arguments That
can be brought against II.
Professor Lounsbuy fails take up and consider my
suggestion that the D0rsheimcr bill might De rendered
by embldying in II the principle recOgnZcu
In all copyright laws. forbdling the importation of all
books covered by eOpyright-wih the simple extension
that no license shall he held Ia permit such lpoTlo
Why there should ne any hostility TO slch poN%2 % on
The part Of the gentlemen who are uIsng the aii anu
Why American authors snould oblect 10 clalsc re
lulrng manufacture III TINS county, does not at heV
sight appear
As TO THE PROTECTION OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS" |
Nor would the common mind understand without ex-
)lanatiOn the clause in the bill which grants 10 foreign
,uthols that which is denied to years grace
lfter publication III which to enter copyright The op-
position to tho former provision. and the urging or the
atter intended for the benefit Of the class paradoy
ally known as unknown authors -gentemen VINO
lavc their reputation still 10 make, and who think that
OF reciprocity between England and America te
ondon OF home manufacture and entering OF copyright
lil9r 10 pubncatlOn might interfere Win en eces ol
hiding English publishers Now have great sympathy !
With unknown authOIs-in" fact have been land am
TIL, for that matter, M so Tar rs regards pont'pc r
angemcns with publishers al unknown ailthof-but
must beg my brethren To recognize that no law can pro-
ldc Tor all possible cases; IL can NJ pest De pu com
'IOnise which shall nure TO tie greatest good OF the
esiest number In view OF the naenltde M OF te inter-
SIS involved the old m#Xln ne mHt"HS no" ct"m
e." safely be applied To the possible chances or on
Unknown writer's first or second book finding profitable
ems OF publication beyond the Atlantic Congress, at
n events II its members come 70 understand me pear
lgs IN detail OF the legislation asked % lhc VIII pc Ipt
10 regard when compared with the material aud in
ellectu interests sacrificed for such remote pDSSli
les. Should they fail 10 do So the people viii take up
e question. with result as little to my hkns as tha of
hose who are thOushtuy declaring that any recOg
iuOn OF any interests but their unCuduiaOe
lterfefence with the rights OF authors
DEAR AND CHEAP BOOKS.
TO Offset the single example given ny Professor Lonns-
ury OF the English Men Of Letters series i'll
tauce Of English cheapuess, may cite few books Of
ornament value with the prices OF their cheapest ed
ons Oh both sides OF the Atlantic reducing sterling to
lrrcncy at the rate of 2j cents to the shilling: