New-York tribune., 1886-07-19
THE LIFE CAR CONTROVERSY
REVIVAL OF A CELEBRATED CASE.
CONGRESSMAN SCOTT STATES THE CLAIMS OF HIS

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT STATES THE CLAIMS OF his
FRIEND oTTINGER.
WASHINGTON, July IS (SpeciaD The old
.ontroyersy between Joseph Francis OF Newly ork ana
Captain Douglas Otnger, as to the invention OF the
celebrated life car, used for at the fe
sayinc stations coasts. has been revived this
peson by effort OF tho friends OF Mr. Francis to secure
for him gold medal the thanks OF Congress The
resolution passed the House several months ago. is
prncpal advocate Mr.. Hewitt and Representative
Scott OF Erie. opposed 1t in sharp speech In whion
Captan Ottingcrs claims we're presented as they hau
already been previous Congress by B. Wasnburne,
of Illinois. Tho resolution has not yet been consuercu
nv the Senate and delay been attributed In dis
patches purporng to be specials from this city 70 MI
ecotts influence In that body. One OF tnese ar'
eles far to state that thero was dspos.o"
shown should he persist In his Efforts TO refuse hu 'uo
privileges of the Senate chamber Meeting the fon"s'
vania Congressman to-day his attention was drawn 70
the subject and he asked AS TO his UNDERSTANDINGS Vi
the real merits OF the He replied;
First. as 10 my SOLICITATION VI So
IN behalf OF Captain Ottinser ana A"' q"
tended rebuke in that connection. tho s'a'c"o''
is undoubtedly of malice and is as unworthy oi 'ho
dignity OF denial any other faisehood' ooco"ur %
TO the merits Isimply rely on the recor' VI
testimony given behalf OF both Mr. frsno's an" zap
lain Ottinger before the Patent ONCE ana tho uecsio
BY the commissioner in favor OF captain o''hger' His
story but In substance these arc the facts; Cap
ain Ottinger whom have known for forty years, was
., tho Reyeuue Marine service in lSiS or lSi9. He
was detailed Secretary orhe Treasury to establish
the original life saving stations on the Jersey coast he
money having been appropriated by Congress therefore,
In pursuance OF that work he consulted with experE
epced surf the character OF boat best adapted
FOR work in the SURF Joseph Francis then foreman
of the boat department OF tho Novelty Works in New
York City, controlled by Stillman Allen & Co. AT that
time the firm manufacturing surf boat which
think was In large measure designed by Francis ms
however ordinary hull would he to modern
vessel and with this basis Ottin or proceeded 10
work out his ingenious life saving craft Francis super
intended the construction OF the boats under tho droc
ton OF Ottnger and the testimony OF witnesses shows
that as the work advanced he predicted the failure OF
what Ottng called the "nfe car when 1t came to oper-
ate the SURF aud 1t was only upon the assurance BY
Otinger that he would assume all responsibility In
connection with the work that Francis would proceed
"some OF the stations were equipped with the e car
Whte he WAS there in ls5O the British ship Ayrshire
stranded In snowstorm on the Jersey coast wilh
col souls board and all were saved by Otngers car
Immediately Francis. who had constructed H. IN a
mechanical stepped to the front ana claimed IL as
his own invention and caused 1t to be exhibited III the
basement of the Capitol Later he applied for patent
IN use by the Government for two years When Otnger
returned he found himself stripped OF his h0nors. in
sog sos nS' the ne cre of the
which ne had already In letter TO the secretary o tns
as he expressed it, Ottnger entered interference. and
it then that the Commissioner OF Patents decided
that .he rig OF can the nventiOn rested IN Otin
GER subsequently Congress voted him $1,000 IN recJc
milton OF his services to humanity. Meanwhile Francis
has gone on manufacturing similar boat and adding
improvements. but calling 1t by another name nave
known Captain Oitinger, say. FOR many years he
1sa simpe-mndod. thoroughly honest man, incapable
OF rckery. hut on the contrary more liable by nature
10 be imposed upon.
While trancs has been actively working in his own
behalf here. doubt If Otnger has appeared before
committee either House this session would IKE 10
justice the real inventor OF tho life car which mas
proved so valuable III time or wrecks whether he be
MIR. Francis Captain Ottinger, but with the decision
OF the Patent Office stl standing in MS favor ooupea
with statements OF those familiar with the facts or that
time. certainly believe that the honOrs are due ex-
clus yely to Captain Ottnger and whatever am able
properly do assist him shall most assure1y con-
tinue do II Mr.. Francis present me with more
eonvir Il IN his behalf than that adj
vauced by Captain Otnger N his then snail not hest
tate I'D admit my and do just as much for Mr..
Francis the real inventor OF the life car is entitled
10 gold medal OF a liberal sze, as wei as The thanks
not only OF Congress. but Of the entire world