Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-12
PATENT CENTENNIAL
Which Should Take Place and BelouRs
Exclusively TO Washington.


Exclusively TO Washington.
MEETING OF INVENTORS. ArroRNKYs AND crrr-
zESs HELD AT THE ARLINGTON LAST RIoHr--
THE CENTENARY OF THE AMERICAN PATENT
SYSTEM TO BE FIFTY cELEBRArrp.
II the large and certainly influential gather
ing at the Arlington last night counts for any,
thing there is every prospect Of the centennial
OF our American patent system being fttingly
commemorated in this city in April The idea
is to have the celebration in connection with
the centennial OF the establishment Of the
national capital at Washington and last night
business men, attorneys officials and inventors
met at the Arlington for the purpose
Of discussing the proposal Mr.. James T.
Du Bois, the secretary of the former meeting,
called the meeting TO order, and
Mr.. Robert W. Fenwick was elected
chairman. Mr.. Fenwick spoke Of the great i'm
portance Of some celebration OF the first CEN
fury OF the patent system aud though that from
no point could so much influence for the good
and Advancement OF the inventor be derived
from the capital OF the nation. He referred
briefly to the tremendous advances which had
been made in every branch since the organiza-
ton of the patent system. In 1876 there were
but four employees in the patent Office.
in the comfort and happiness Of the people is
directly due to the inventors of the country.
Mr.. Fenwick thought that the establishment Of
an exchange or emporium in this city would be
Of, the greatest value. Machinery could be
tabllshed at such place which would not only
be great point Of interest to visitors but would
be found of the greatest importance 10 me-
chanics and to the patent Office officials.
LEGISLATION FOR INVENTORS NEEDED.
Letters were read from Col J. II. Price Of
Scranton, in which he expressed the greatest
interest in the proposal and promised his aid
in any way possible. Col. Price spoke OF the
need of Legislation to properly fix the status OF
inventions and thought nineteenth century
laws should be enacted for nineteenth century
inventors. Col Price also spoke very cheer
fully of his efforts TO get the national board Of
trade to meet in Washington during April, by
which means 1000 boards would be represented
at the capital
Letters were also received from Mr.. Myron
Parker, president Of the board Of trade, and
from Mr.. W. ID. Cabell, representing the Uni
versity Of Virginia.
Ex-coMMissioSER SPEARS REMARKs
Ex-Commissioper of Patents Spear addressed
the meeting briefly. The achievements Of in
ventors, he thought, during the last 100
years had been greater than in all other time.
Tremendous inroads had been made on forestry,
and man, to a large extent, had been freed from
the curse Of drudgery. Eface the agricultural
implements invented in the last century and
this country wonld drop back almost TO bar
barism. In regard 70 the proposed celebration
Gen. Spear thought material display presented
many difficulties. On the other hand he thought
that the inventors and those interested in in
ventions could be brought together here in
April and by the interchange Of views and ex-
perlences accomplish the greatest possible
amount of good.
MR.. b. II. WARNER FAvoRs THE PROJECT.
Mr.. b. II. Warner thought the idea of q ceie-
bration an admirable and feasible one. II
might not be possible to bring large specimens
of inventions here, but the inventors them
selves could be brought and the convention
would prove of inestimable value. both to the m
and to the city. Every convention held in
Washington was q benefit to the city. and
every man who went away from Wash
ington was an advertisement for
the capital Mr. Warner thought
that in regard TO supporting conventions the
citizens Of Washington were as generous - any
people in the country. The business people of
Washington, he said, combine IN the happIest
manner the conservatism OF the east with the
push and wide-awakeness Of the west. Mr..
Warner thought it would be especially appro-
PIRATE that the capital Of the nation should
gather together those who will celebrate in tins
line the achievements Of the past and also IN
themselves contain the hopes of the future.
MR. W. C. DODGE
spoke at considerable length on the value Of Q
permanent organization 10 act as lrotector
of the present patent system. The history OF
invention. said Mr.. Dodge, was the history OF
the world Mr.. Dodge spoke of the a.
tempts which had been and were being
made TO tear down the patent system, Q
system, he thought, which was of as much inn
portance to the prosperity OF the country as
the tariff laws The patent Office in q
shameful condition, and Legislation was needed
in 10 fha refe IN
the early attempts to prevent manufacturing
in this country and traced the history OF the
patent system down TO the present time. This
move toward a celebration, Mr.. Dodge thought
ought TO result in a strong body OF men who
can exercise an influence on Congress for the
protection and betterment of the patent sys-
tenn. The farmers were the hercest opponents
of the system and were the ones benefited
to the largest extent Strike out any one
of dozen inventions IN agricultural
implements and not one bushel OF wheat would
be shipped from this country. Mr.. Dodge said
that the manufacturers would have TO be inter-
ested in the thing or il would never succeed.
The number of real inventors was small
Speeches were also made by ex-Commiseioner
Montgomery and Civil Service Commissioner
Lyman expressing their interest in the scheme
and Offering every aid possible.
A COMMITTEE TO BE APPOINTED.
Mr.. Cranch Mcintyre then moved that Q
committee be appointed TO take into consider
ton the object of this meeting and report as
some future day. During the discussion Mr..
s. Maltby insisted that Legislation should be
obtained to insure o mans right to patent ~
TO any other property. The patent should then
be taxed at its valuation. IL was finally de-
cided to appoint q committee OF seven, accord
ing to Mr.. McIntyres motion, and after thank
ing Mr.. Roessle for the use Of the psrlor the
meeting adjourned subject TO the call Of The
chairman.
The attendance last night was exceedingly
encouraging and the promoters have every
reason to feel encouraged at the interest dis
played The committee Of seven will be named
later on by the chairman.
Robbed His Benefactress.
Alfred Porter, q colored man, told Judge
Miller today that he was forty-fve years old,
but he looked much older. He also said that
he was from sole verginny," and Lawyer
Kicks said that he came from good place.
s.But the charge against him ID not good, re-
marked the court He was charged with steal
ing Sl0 from q colored woman named Alice
mi A., az