Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-22
THOSE SLOT CIGARS.
Do the Pittsburg Machines
Infringe Ohio Patents?
WHAT ONE DRUMMER SAYS.
A Would-Be interrogation of Captain
Wishart Gets a Chill.
INCIDENTS OF AUTOMATIC SALES.
Statement That the Slot Has Not Been
Molested Elsewhere.
WHATONE DRUMMER SAYS.
INCIDENTS OF AUTOMATIC SALES.
SOFT DRINKS SOLD In VARIOUS PLACES


plication as far as its use locally on Sun
days or any other days is concerned, which
may prove far more efectual than the machi-
nations of the Law and Order League. 1t
is now claimed that the machine being sold
locally is an infringement upon a similar
device bearing letters patent of more than a
year since.
The Pittsburger who claims to be the in
ventor, Mr.. Joseph Askins, OF No. 10 Davis
street, assured DISPATCH reporter Satur-
day evening that the device originated with
during four months past. He stated that
the apparatus was being manufactured un-
der the usual ''patent applied for" label,
and that his application for letters patent
was now pending in the United States Pat
ent Office. 1t cannot be gainsaid that good
judges of such matters consider the device
is bonanza, Eot only in Puritanical and
blue-law invested communities, but in every
large city in the country.
UNCLE SAM MAY STOP IT.
Some doubt is cast upon the claims Of
Mr.. Askins, however, BY travelling man
who is stopping at the Hotel Duquesne.
He states in the most positive terms that no
less than 20 patents have been already issued
upon the principle and subsequent improve
ments of a slot machine in every respect
similar to what Mr.. Askins claims as his
device. The patents are all held by the in
ventor, an Ohio man named Pefferday. He
has transferred the manufacturing rights to
the firm B. F. Schwab & Co., Lima, O., who
have placed large quantities of the machines
on the market. chiefly in the smaller towns
of Ohio and In Cincinnati.
81 happen to know all about this matter"
said the gentleman yesterday afternoon,
"because the firm made me a very hand
some offer not very long SINCE to travel for
them. They handle brand of cigar called
the Catcher and their method is to
sell a customer 1900 cigars, and loan
him the machine for use on Sun
days. have myself seen the
machine at work in many places. 1t may
interest the Pittsburg public, in view of
their troublesome barnacle, the Law and
Order League, to learn that the mauufac-
turers OF the slot cigar machine say that no
instance of legal interference with the de-
vice has yet developed.
TOO AUTOMATIC FOR THE LAW.
1.-THE automatic nature of the thing seems
to beat the law. 1 sent the Lima firm
copy OF to-dav's DISPATCH, and L shouldn't
wonder if the Pittsburg man, who claims to
be the inventor, finds that he has been in
finging upon another mans patent rights"
A patent expert states in this connection
that no patent could probably be secured
upon the broad principle of automatic sale
by means of dropping coin into receptacle.
To verify this statement it is only necessary
to point to the numberless devices of this
nature now in general use. But very strong
patents could be secured upon specific ap-
plication of the principle, as the interior
mechanism for the delivery of cigars,
mineral water, cards giving weight and
many other articles, must vary in each in
stance, and the Patent Office always dis
eliminates very broadly between an original
principle and its multifarious applications.
An effort was made to see Mr.. Askins last
night, but without success. 1t is, of course,
probable that he may be the person to
whom b. F. Schwab & Co., of Lima, O.,
sold the State rights of Pennsylvania under |
the patents they control, for such sale was |
made only few months since. His own |
statement, however, would indicate that he |
believed himself the inventor, and was not |
aware of possible infringement The gen. |
tleman who furnished the above information |
said that in such event, he thought an in |
junction would be Immediately directed |
against the local parties BY the Lima firm.
THEY JUST CALLED IT IN. Il
The machines which are going to so un-
pleasantly and severely jolt the Law and |
Order League were somewhat backward in |
getting into motion yesterday. The |
one which was to dispense fleur de !
fumas in front of Browne Bros. at
avenue yesterday, remained inside the store,
where it was admired by a large throng at
intervals during the day. 1t did not
"automat" because Of some internal disar-
rangement. At several hotels, however, the
machines got in their fine work, while some
seedy individuals, said to be L. and o.
miniature Inspector Byrneses, stood glumly
ny and wondered what could be done to
check the operations of the new blue-law
breaker.
One of.the proprietors of the Central
Hotel was in high feather Saturday night
when he received his machine and got it
working. He went up stairs to supper and
some of the boys put up job on him. Some
pennies were secured and pounded out to
the diameter of nickel. When the affable
proprietor came back from supper and
opened the machine TO count his proceeds
he found eight hattened pennies had re-
placed an equal number of cigars. The ma
chine was put away temporarily, and, if
each Of the offenders find 4 cents charged in
their board bills this week. they'll know the
rea son WhV and ask no oueStions
A PASTORAL PICTURE.
The balmy breezes of Mt. Washington
famed gently the fevered brow of weary
reporter, whose banner bore the strange
device, "Wishart." He pushed on over
craig and torrent until the domiciIe of the
doughty avenger of viciousness was reached,
but there, alackadayl it was learned that
the Captain was abroad, hot on the trail of
two apple women, one chewing gum vender,
one sinful dispenser of sarsaparilia, a cab
merchant and a speak-easy.
Retracing his weary steps, OIL joyl oh,
rapture Unforeseen! there was the hero of
1894, who had just made the perilous ascent
Of the mountainl The reporter paused, and
20 did the Captain. The latter looked as if
be did not desire to linger but the sidewalk
was narrow, and common courtesy precluded
4 passage over or through the reporter.
"Glad to see you, Captain. was hunt
ing you, said the reporter, genially, hold
ing out his hand.
The Captain clutched his gingham um-
brella with both hands, ignored the prof
Tered hand in just the way Pittdcus Green
nsed to do in ''Hazel Kirke" when
HE TRIED TO SHAKE,
md considered himself shook, and glared
.hrouQh his adddifional nair of ewes His |