New-York tribune., 1890-04-15
THE COPYRIGHT BILL.

II is again reported from Washington that
certain active opponents OF the international
Copyright bill are quietly but actively engaged
in tho formation of " book trust" which is
10 "advance and control the price OF reprints"
This movement became known two or three
months ago. but since that time it has received
little pubHc attention. The report that this
trust continues in process Of formation undaunt-
ed bv unfavorabc comments Will be OF great
interest to the public. and, we think, TO their
representatives in Congress. For, the op-
ponents of the Copyright bill have constantly
urged that lis passage would promote book
trust among the large publishers, although
il has been pointed out in practical way that
such combination was not among the pos
sibilites. But what becomes OF tits "argu-
ment" when we find that it is the opponents
of the Copyright bill who are forming trust ?
Clearly their argument recoils upon their
own heads. Since they themselves have been
endeavonng to raise the price of reprints while
working against the passage of the Copyright
BILL congressman will be able to estimate this
opposition at its true worth. As between
book trust and equitable copyright few Con-
grcssmcn will hesitate in their choice.
II would be a waste of time TO discuss the
ROYALTY system which has been brought for
ward again in circulars distributed within the
last few weeks. That system would mean de-
fectiye publications and a quantity Of lawsuits
for the author. II would Ire unsatisfactory to
the public and runous to the writer. We can
cxplain the temperance of royalty literature
only ON the ground that this is due lcSS to "A
sincere belief in the system than 10 a desire TO
lc>scn the chances OF the present Copyright
bill. All such alleged compromises and dubious
devices must be cschcwcd. and it must be re-
mcmbcred that the Copyright bill is the best
measure which has been seriously considered,
and that it has been examined carefully and
approved, not only by the authors Of the coun-
try and the American Publishers Copyright
League. but also by the National Typothetac,
the international Typographical Union repre-
scnrinc about three hundred local unions, the
American Newspaper Publishers Association,
the Department of Supcriniendcnce of the Ma
tional Educational Association, the Intcrna-
tiona Copyright associations of Washington,
Chicago and Boston. the Western Association
of Writers, and by college faculties, librarians
and scientific bodies throughout tho country.
President Harrison has declared himself in
favor of this bill and it has the support of cx-
President Cleveland. Cardinal Gibbons, and,
indeed. of leading citizens throughout the coun-
try, as well As the support of the press.
Notwithstanding this extraordinary popular
support the Copyright bill still waits the
action of Congress. Two House committees
have reported the bill fatorably, after hearing
It's opponents and its friXds. There is no oc-
casion for repeating th4 moral argument in
favor of international copyrieht which will
lie unan.wclablc 80 long a> stealing i stealing
or the practical arguments which are declared
to be convincing by the interests affected and
by the public speaking through the press The
present Congress has it within its power 10
acquire a distinction which has been earned
iy none Of its predecessors. Many Congress
sional measures which seem of consequence
when near at hand will shrink pitifully when
seen in true perspective, but the Congress
which passes the international Copyright bill
will have accomplished something which Will
remain an honor TO itself and 10 the Nation.