Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-24
THE PATENT CENTENNIAL.
Meeting Of the Advisory Committee Last
Night at Gen. Meigs' Residence.


Night at Gen. Meigs' Residence.
SATISFACTORY REpoRrs RECEIVED FROM MANY OF
THE sUBcoMNrrrEEs-EvERYrm POINTS TO
THE GREAT SUCCESS OF rHE COMING oELEBRA-
TIoS-INTEREsrISG ADDRESSES MADE.
In the workshop of Gen. NJ. c. Meigs as he
terms delightful room in his house. 1888 Yer
mont avenue. which is partly a library. partly an
architects draughting room and partly stu
dents den. group of gentlemen were gathered
last evening. They were all members of the
advisory committee Of the patent celebration
and upon the invitation of Gen. Meigs, the
chairman. had met at his Office for the purpose
OF hearing what progress had been made in the
arrangements for the great celebration TO take
place here on the sth. 9Th and 10th of April Gen
Meigs presided and Mr.. J. Etreth Watkins. the
secretary Of the executive committee. acted as
secretary. Among those present were Com
missioner Robert Hon. Edwin Willis, assist
ant secretary of agriculture; Hon. Chas. l..
Mitchell, commissioner of patents; Mr.. Froth-
lngham, the assistant commissioner OF patents:
Col VIM NJ, Meredith. chief Of the bureau "
printing and engraving; Prof Thos. Wilson.
Crosby 5. Moves, Jas. X. McCammou. Prof.
Ous l. Mason. Prof. F. A. Seeley. DIR. J. VI.
Toner, Rev. DIR. Sunderland. W. Z. Dodge
Gen. 5. Maynard and o. f. Duffy.
SECRETARY WATKINS STATEMENT
Secretary Watkins made a statement ms TO
the progress made in the arrangements. which
was highly satisfactory. He said that the CEN
trail committee. whose duties were TO organize
the various committees and TO arrange the
program. had performed the work assigned TO
H. Invitations had been extended 20 one hum
bred gentlemen. resident in the different states,
to form national committee. Tins committee
1 q s.l 4. 4
first day of the celebration and consider plans
for the formation of national association OF
inventors and manufacturers of patented arti-
cles. large number of acceptances have
oeen received. indicating, Prof. Watkins
thought, the general interest in the celebration
He spoke Of the formation of the other COM
mlttees and said that they had all held meetings
and entered upon their work.
Mr. MAYSARD's REPORT.
In the absence of Mr.. John Lynch. the chair
man of the executive committee Mr. George
l.. Maynard stated that all the recommended
lions made by the advisory committee nj the last
meeting had been carried out He said that
the administrative work at headquarters WAS
being advanced with marked success under the
able direction of Prof. Watkins The accent
ance OF invitations from inventors and others
TO take part In the celebration. accompanied in
eacn instance with the payment Of 80. Mr.. Nav
nard thought. showed that the meeting would
be largely attended. The fact that the pro-
ceedings and the valuable papers TO be read
would he published and distributed to the sub
scrlbers had led many who would be unable
to be present TO send in their IS in order that
they might obtain copy. He said that in
addition to the committee of one hundred
auxiliary committees were being formed in
each state. There was every reason TO believe
he said. that the celebration would be a success
30 far the plans of the executive committee
had been based on the idea that Lincoln Hall
with seating capacity of about 1000. would
furnish ample room. as none would be admitted
TO the meeting without tickets. Already how
ever. the committee had considered the proba-
bihty of an attendance larger than this hall
could accommodate and there would probably
be necessity Of securing a larger hail. The
committee would be glad to receive suggestions
as to another hall.
AN ENCOURAGING FINANCIAL REPORT
An encouraging report was made by Mr..
McCammon, from the finance committee He
stated that subscriptions amounting 10
80, 200 had already been received to the guar
antee fund He said that the general interest
taken in the celebration was Indicated hy the
TACT that the member; of tine committee had
found no difficulty in obtaining subscriptions
Mr.. ". {. Dodge. the charm n of the COM
mittee on public comfort, said that information
as to rooms and board furnished TO all
inquirers and that register Of available places
was kept by the committee.
TO ENTERTAIN FOREIGN VISITORS
Secretary Watkins stated that a committee
had been organized, with Gen. Bussey. the as
sistant secretary of the interior as chairman. to
receive and entertain any foreign visitors who
might attend the celebration. He also said
that the Secretary of War had directed the
military companies located here TO parade on
the centennial day. The District National
Guard the High School Cadets and Other
m 4 - a..
An invitation would be extended to the invent
ors by the Secretary Of the Navy TO visit the
navy yard In this city and inspect the ordnance
shops
The president of the board o: trade Mr.. NJ.
VI. Parker, had written to say that the board at
a meeting this evening would take action in
regard TO a banquet which il WAS proposed TO
give In honor of the inventors who attended the
celebration.
The program of the meetings, as arranged by
the committee on literature. was mentioned in a
commendatory way 10y the secretary as was also
the list of officers. The latter will include Pres-
dent Harrison as president Secretary Noble,
Frederic Fraley. Prot. Langley and Prof. A.
Graham Bell as vice presidents, and number
OF honorary vice presidents. On motion of
frof- 1hos. Wilson ii was recommended to the
executive committee that the name of Mr. JAS Il.
Du Bots be placed ON the list of vice presidents
in recognition of his early and understandable eff
forts IN originating this movement.
COMMISSIONER MIrcHELLs SPEECH
The commissioners of patents. Mr. Mitchell.
being called upon made brilliant little speech.
In which he emphasized the fact tina: Of all the
influences which have contributed to the civil
ization of the present century there are none
more important than the patent system. The
establishment of this system. he said was the.
only new cause to account for the fact that the
nineteenth century has surpassed all preceding
periods in material Development For one hum