Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-15
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The COpyrightIng Of News-Bditor Wat
 terson Argues i'm Support Of tiie Bfll.

The CopyrfShtIng of Nevvs-Editor wat terson Argues i'm Support of the Bfll: WASHINGTON, March 14.-Henry Wattef- 1 son of the Louisville Courier-Journal ap. peared before the joint Committee on the Library to-day, in advocacy of the passage of the bill granting copyright of eight hours to newspapers. He explained that the act was designed for the sole purpose of defeating ''concurrent piratical publication" that the bill was universal in it's application and could not affect the country press. In explanation of the latter statement Mir. Wstterson said that morning paper goes to press about a. m., hence the limitation expires at Il, and consequently the provisions of the bill do not set as bar to the republication of mat ter in the morning papers by papers issued in the afternoon. He then gave an iIlustra. tion to the effect that he might employ 8 special correspondent to report very fully some great event, and under the present law 8 paper published alongside his own and sold at cheaper rates by using the improved and rapid presses would actual ly defeat his enterprise. Senator Hosr de- sired to know if it was intended to protect the composition or the facts. MT. Watterson replied that the limit of one hundred words to the bill would practically defeat the piracy of news which was complained of. as the time required to recast the matter would protect the statement of the author. Mir. is pirated. The witness said that it was dene every day in New York and other cities, by papers outside the Associated Press. Under the present absence of law 8 publisher might open his office in New York at say o'clock, oh ,<Nfa Ls paper in forty or fifty minutes at the mere cost of setting the type. Mir. Sherman asked if this has been done. Mir. Watterson replied ohio in 8 limited way In reply to question by Senator Hoar, MT. Watterson said that matter Srewritten would be no infringement of copyright as after publica- ton it becomes public
 By MT. Woodward-'In small towns is it not the custom to furnish the news to certain papers?''A-There have been instances of newspapers being admitted into the Associst ed Press We own the franchise in Louis- vile, but we do not obiect to the Commercial taking the news.'
 Q-"The business of newspapers is to dis. siminate the news quickly. Would not this bill interfere with that?" MT. Watterson did not see how it would interfere as the bill simply bars man from stealing the property of another and republishing it alongside of The person from whom he stole it. Continu- ing he said: ''You buy a newspaper for your own private use. Ysu do not buy it to reissue in the course of fifty minutes.'
 MT. Singleon questioned the constitutional ity of the proposition and MT. WattersOn said he would publish several preeedents from English law showing it's constitutionslity.
 MT. Woodward-You state that the Louis vile Courier-Journsl controls the Associated Press franchise in Louisville. Can anyone in Louisville get Associated Press despatches without your consent? A-No, sir, we own the franchise; we bought it.
 %Q-Can any other press association or telegraph company serve news in Louisville? A-Yes, sir. the papers can get the news of any other press association, of which there are several.
 MT. Wasterson for the purpose of disa- busing the theory that the Associated Press and Western Union formed a close corpora ton explained that General Manager Phillips of the United Press had recently stated before the Committee on Postoffices and Post Roads that his association could obtain duplicates of the Associated Press contracts with the Vest ern Union telegraph company. Senator Sherman requested MT. Watterson to submit any further points ke might desire in brief and announced that anyone opposed to the passage of the bill would be granted like privilege.
 Adjourned.