National Republican., 1885-03-13

mittcc on Appropriations, House of Repre-
scntetiycs
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, March 2,
$3.50. In reply to your request for informa-
tion relative to the purchase by this depart
mcnt from chief Constructor r. u. Wilson OF
tho right to use on government vessels the air-
ports invented and patented by him, have
to state as follows:
What is known as Wilson'S airport en-
braces device for opening for holding
partly open, and for closing securely, the side
lights In the hull OF a ship. The advantages
of fthcso ports are such that they were, several
years ago, adopted for nearly all naval vessels
requiring extensive repairs, and they came
into general use in the navy without, how.
ever, any adjustment being made Of the claim
Of the inventor for compensation for the right
to use the invention, on which had been Sc.
cured a patent dated Nov. %, 1879, to run
seventeen years from that date.
1t being important both to the proprietor Of
the patent aud to the government that II claim
Of this character should not remain unsettled,
the question was, upon the application OF the
inventor dated May ~, 1881, referred to the
naval board Of inspection, consisting Of Com
modoro j. G. p. DcKraft, Capt Daniel H.
Braiuc, Commander II. l.. Ilowison, Medical
Director George Peck, Chief Engineer James
w. Thompson, and Naval Constructor Philip
IIichborn, to inquire and report concerning
the extent to which Wilson'S ait.ports were
then used upon vessels of the navy, and also
to report to what extent II was desirable to use
the same In the future. ANer full considera-
tion of the subject they reported under dato
of oct. p, 1885, tho number Of ports then in
"A lt.a,, "a,
all vessels until such time as better ones should
be presented
Upon the furthernppllcatIon Of the pntcnteo
dated Dec. ., lsSi, the subject was again re.
fcrrCd TO the board for the purpose Of consd.
ering the oxpodlcncy Of purchasing from Mr..
Wilson the right to use his invention upon all
government vessels, aud, If expedlent to do
SO, what would be proper remuneration TO
be paid him therefor. Under date OF Jan. g.,
1885, the board made its further report to the
effect that II would be TO the pecunary ad.
vantage ortho government to make such pur.
chase, and that in its opinion the sum Of
$4,000 would bo proper remuneration there.
for. The reports being approved by the de.
partmcnt, the purchase wns consummatod and
that amount was paid Mr.. Wilson, from the
current appropriation for the construction aud
ANihAA VI NNaoNlot lOl Nht libhb W uaC NiN
vcntion upon all government vessels, in every
branch Of the service, during the life Of the
patent, and including any subsequent i'm
provement devised or made by the patentee,
he binding himself to notify the department
thereof lie was further required to stipulate
that no claim should be made by himself or
his representatives for or on account of any
previous use of the invention upon govern.
ment vessels.
There is no doubt Of the merits Of the device
nor Of the desirabillty of using 1t upon naval
vessels; the price recommended and decided
upon seems to be fair sum, and the legality
of the purchase OF the right to use the ports
from Mr.. Wilson, although he is an officer of
the navy, and the proprlcty of the payment to
him Of the purchase money from the appro.
priation named, has been approved by the
proper accounting officers.
Copies ofthe correspondence reports, assign.
ment, and all other papers relating to the sub.
ject will be furnished ifdesired. Very respect.
fully, WM. L. CHANDLER,
Secretary OF the Navy.
HoS. SAMUEL j. RANDALL, Chairman Commit.
tee on Appropriations, House of Representa-.
tives.