New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-10
THE PATENT CENTENNIAL.
PAPERS AT THE SECOND DAYS SESSION.
MR.. sPoFFoRD, THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
ON coPYRIGHT-sTEPs TO FORM AN Asso-
CITATION OF INVENTORS AND MAKERS

Mh' sfOFfORD, THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
ON coPYRIGHT-sTEps TO FORM AN Asso-
CITATION OF INVENTORS AND MAKERS
OF PATENTED ARTICLES.
Washington, April DIN the absence of Frederick
Fraley Of Philadelphia, the afternoon session Of the
Congress Of Inventors and Manufacturers Of Patented
| Inventions presided over by Oberlin Smith, Of
Brdgeon n. j. the president OF the American Society
OF Mechanical Engineers Benjamin Butterworth, OF
| Ohio, whose s1me appeared first on the programme
found II impossible to be present A. r. spoford, the
Librarian OF Congress. read paper on The copyright
System Of the United States, Its origin and Its Growth"
After reviewing the history OF copyright in America,
Mr.. spoord considered the principles and practice Of
what is known rs international copyright. There
was nothing I'm the Constitutional provision which
strained Congress from granting copyright TO other
than American citizens. Patent right, coming under
tho clause OF the Constitution, had been
extended 10 foreigners The principle OF copy
right once admitted 1t could not logically be
confined TO State lines National boundaries.
Accordingly international copyright had become the
policy OF nearly all civilized nations The term OF
convoht was longer in most nations than in the United
states varying from the life OF the author and seven
years beyond in England, TO life term and fifty years
additional in France and Spain. Copyright was thus
made life tenure and something more In all countries
excent tbis where its utmost limit fortytwo years
The measure which become law at the last session
OF Congress- Mr. spoford said aimed at securing recp
roca protection to American and foreign authors In
the respective countries which might comply with It's
provisions 1t was not to 60 into effect until July 1,
1891 nor even at that date unless the President should
have certified by proclamation that any foreign nation
granted copyright to American authors on substantially
tbo Same terms as TO its own citizens unless the
foreign nation is party TO an international copyright
agreement TO which the United States might become
a narty The new measure might be regarded as OK
detrimental and all opinions as to It's ultimate WORKINGS
or results were OF little value Mt this time Authors
and publishers alike should await developments DONG
what they may TO guard their interests wlhie inc eA
pertinent was being fairly tried
In conclusion he said the writer's Of America, with
the steady and rapid growth Of the art OF making BOOKS
have come more and more to appreciate the value OF
their preservation, in complete and unoroReh Series
in the library Of the Government the appropriate
conservator OF the Nations literature In its archives
all sciences and all schools Of opinion met ana hgeu
In the beautiful and ample edihce now being erected
and dedicated to literature and art, through the
,beraltv of Congress- the intellectual wealth Of the
mast and the present age would be handed down to the
ages that to follow
Mr. spoford was followed by Professor Thomas Gray,
of the Rise Polytechnic Institute, of Tcrre Haue, Ind
who spoke on "The Inventors OF tho Telegraph and
Telephone"
The closing address of the afternoon by Colonel
F. A. seey Of Pennsylvania principal examiner Of the
Patent Office, whose subject was international Pro
lection OF Industrial Property" 80
S. p Langley the secretary Of the smlthsonaNH III
stitutlon presided in tho evening. secretary Nopie
occupied seat the platform. Professor Lahgiey
spoke biehy Of the progress OF inventions parnc9 an
bridge Of Columbia College, New York, read paper
on The Effect OF Technical Schools upon the Progress
OF Invention" The next paper. entitled "The IN,
vention of the Steam Engine, was by Professor hopert
H. Thurston, the director and professor OF
engineering in Sibey College. Cornell University Inc
paper was an elaborate history Of the steam engine
from the time of its invention down to tho PRESENT time
Captain Birnie of the Ordnance Bureau read paper
prepared BY Major Clarence +. button, T. 5. A., on
1.-The Influence Of Invention upon the implements ann
Munitions OF Modern Warfare and Professor +: W.
Clarke OF Ohio the chief chemist Of the United states
geological survey read paper on The Relations OF
Abstract Scientific Research to Practical lhventoh'
with Snecial Reference to Chemistry and PHYSICS"
meeting OF the inventors and manutac turers OF
inventions attending the centennial was held TINS
morning to take preliminary steps TO form a permac
nent association Of persons connected with inventions
or the manufacturers Of patents: and at meeting
I'm the evening a committee submitted the draft OF
constitution for the proposed new ASSOCIATION. Inc
matter went over, however, without discussion until
tomorrow, when final action will probably be taken.