Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-04
whatDr. Nogers has 10 Say.



BLApSNsBURG, Mp, September 20 1885.
To the Editor of the Tribune:
SIR-My at niion having been called to
your criticism Of Mr.. Garland's conduct
in bringing suit in the name Of the United
States for the Pan-Electcic Company
against the Bel Company, 1 wish, in iusti-
tication OF faithful public servant. to give
you a complete history OF the proceedings,
and believe that you wiii at least see the
matter Ia new light, and give the salient
points of my defense to your readers.
! have been for several years attorney
for my son, j. Herris Rogers, the inventor
| of "The National Secret Telephone" and
the "Pan Electric Telephone" systems, an0
had been for long time anxious to have q
suit brought By the government against
the Bell Company to cancel their patent,
which claimed "the art of telephony"
known to have been invented by Philip
Reiss of Germany. Three yea Is ago do
mated to Mr.. Garland 100000 btock in the
original Pau-Electric Company, which
carries with it 500, 900 IN the Pan-Eiectric
Telegraph and $780, 90 in the Pan-Electric
| Telephone, making in all 81 800, 600
stock in the company. This donation was
made with the understanding that he and
| other prominent persons associated with
/ US should assist in mouetising some
| t genty five patents belonging to my son.
| All the parties incurred considerable ex.
pense in experimental work, renting OF
| telegraphic lines between New York az d
4 Washington, manufacturing, etc, but were
soon reimbursed about SO for 81 from sales
l of State rights tstill retaining all their
stock. Mr.. Garland and Senator Harris
had both g ven their written opinions tha:
cur patents did not infrioge the Bell pat
| ent-a copy of which l lend herewith.
Soon after Mr.. Garlands promotion to
the Office OF AttOrney-Ge eral l ap Jliei to
him to move against the Bell company
but he declined doing 50. / then by let
ter requested Senator Harris, Gen. Joseph
Z. johnston, the Hon. Casey Young and
other members of the co0pany to urge
him further. but he still declined, Mr.
Young reporting to aa by letter that the
Attorney-General felt a delicacy in the
matter on account Of his ownership o
stock in the company. l had always sp
precieted his high sense of honor, bu
could not see how his private feelings o.
deiicacy should deprive me and my asso
citation of our right, as citizens, If we haC
a Tight,t) try the validity of our patent il
| the manner proposed. Furthermore, Mr.
Garland, being indebted to me not OIL,
for his 81 100000 stock, but for my effort
in getting him appointed Attoraey-Gen
eral, | began to feel that he was not in
| CtlbCO " ISCtptOCdtO tuC law 1I6 Hd'
done him; but to relieve him in measur
of the delicacy referred to, prevaile,
Through my agents. on "fhe Nations
Improved Telephone Company" smal
. corporation founded on several of m,
sons earlier patents-to press once NOR
! upon Mr.. Garland my favorite plan TO
{ csnceling the Bell patents, and he, hay
, ing no stock in the company, consented
but said (so the Hon. Casey Young repor
, ed to me and my SOM that he would lesv
the matter with Mr.. Goode, Assistant Al
torney- General, and 30 he did; and az
cor6ingly the suit was cnmmen ced by tn
| United States in behalf of company i
| which Mr.. Garland owned no stock, an
in behalf of citizens of the United Stste
, who had made out prima facia cas-
against the Ball Company TO the satisfat
b. ton of Mr.. Goode. How Mr.. Garland {
e | Mr.. Goode could have acted otherwise, &
f faithful public servants, passes my con
q | prehension. Respectfully,
]. W. ROGERS,
Attorney for 7. Harris Rogers, inventor of Il
Pan Electric" and National Telephone
q