Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-04
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
Petitions Against the Passage of the
Pending Bill.

Representative Chapman, of Michigan, has
presented to the House petition against the
passage of che international copyright bill,
similar to many others ON the same subject,
which are finding their way into the petition
box.
The petition recites, first, that the bill is not
really an international measure; copyright
should be subject of treaty negotiation and
based on reciprocity. No rights should be
granted to foreign authors in America that are
not granted to Americans abroad
Second the bill has been drawn in accord
ance with the desires of a combination of
selfish interests similar to the great printing
houses which form an international trust to en-
nance enormously to price of books.
Third, the bill will give to publishing mo-
nopolies the right to raise the price of foreign
books sold here to the level Of the high prices
abroad, ignoring completely the interests of
the American people who buy and read books.
The wholesome effect Of cheap literature can
not be over-estimated.
Fourth, important business and labor inter-
ests would be injuriously affected. The paper
industry would be damaged, and the demand
for printers, elctro-typers and pressmen in the
United States reduced to an enormous degree.
Fifth, it is doubtful if the interests of Amer
can authors would be advanced by the passage
Of the bill-they would still be in compe-
tition with foreign authors, who, there
Is no reason to assume, would be less
formidable competitors if protected by copy
right. Our great American authors need no
projections; many Of them have secured enor-
nous fortunes and the profession is better
paid In America than in any other country in
the world.
Sixth, compensation should not be made to
foreign authors by the granting to them by
Congress Of the right to collect a royalty on
their books sold here, leaving American pub
fishers as free to reproduce as at present. but
a
seventh, if the Bin is amended in this re-
port, the House of Representatives will find
that the selfish combinations which have pre-
sented the bill do not want such O measure of
Justice to foreign authors.
In conclusion the petitioners pray that the
House will defeat the bill as it stands or sub
stitute an equitable measure granting to for
eigp authors a reasonable royalty on their
books published in this country and saving to
the American people that system OF free COM
petition In the publishing business, which is
more wholesome, important, and far-reaching
than can well be imagined.
ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF GAMBIrSa.-Late
Saturday night squad of policemen of the
eighth precinct made q raid on the house of
John Deal, in the county above 7th and Bound
, airy streets, where they had been informed
sSs officers poker arrived going G. the on % SOae
the men inside made an effort to escape. but
were prevented from doing SO. Some Of them
were found under bed upstairs. John Deal
the alleged proprietor. was arrested. This af-
ternoon in the Police Court Deal was charged
with permitting gaming in premises under his
control. Mr.. Oscar Nauck appeared as counsel
and plead not guilty.
The BAILEY FAMILY TRouBLrs.--In the case
OF Harry. 0: Bailey against VIM. r. Bailey ct
al, in which the complainant asks a support
&C., the defendants have, by H. W. Garnet,
fled an answer. They state that after the
death Of the father W. n. Bailey, complainant,
resided with them ct 914 NJ street northwest
| until February. 1887, and that Mafgret A.
Bailey attempted to support complainant with
the others and was treated with kindness, but
complainant treated his mother in coarse and
insulting manner, took personal property
secretly from the house, engaged in quarrels
and personal assaults with his brothers and
sisters, &c. They, however, deny that he was
ordered out Of the house, and assert that he has
| so acted ~ to render IL impossible Tor than 10
live Ia the housa With him