New-York tribune., 1891-03-06
MR. JOHNSON GREATLYPLEASED
HE DISCUSSES TIE COPYRIGHT ACT.
WHAT BENEFITS MAY DE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

WHAT BENEFITS MAY DE EXPECTED-MEssAGES
OF CONGRATULATIONS.
II T. Johnson Of the international Copyright
Iesrue was at his desk in "The Century Magazine
office Yesterday and talked TO Tribune reporter about
the success of the Copyright bill. lie sad
"Those who think that anything is 70 be regretted IN
the changes that have been made In the Copyrlet Dill
since its passage by the House have probably not
spoken by the book for la my opinion the friends OF
copyrght have not only cecded in defeating daii-
cerons amendments which would have taken the heart
ont of the bill but the concessions that have been
made have been Of such nature as II be source vi
strength 10 the law In its practical working hereafter IL
must first be understood that the non importation clause
was necessary corollary of the typesettng clause
IL was indeed, the mandatory part OF the Dill ana u
would have been Of 10 use TO assert the 'condl'oh pre-
cedent of manufacture in this country for the purpose
OF giving the market TO American w0rhmen, IL lUo
market had been Immediately taken away Dy perh"V-
ting its Invasion by books of English mahndc'ure'
Therefore those who voted for the sherman amend
mcnt and assumed to be in favor of the VpeSetuhs
clause were in the position of the man VINO was III
favor OF the law. but 'agin' It's enforcement
The chief point of objection which 1t was heces
sary 10 make concession In the clause wnch per-
mtted the importation of only two copies OF ioIcs"
book and required the consent OF lhe o""ci Vi ~"
American copyright TO this importation. ii Is lNcN
that had this remained in the bill there would nave been
n, the annoyances to which the public might have con
..dered that they were subject by having 10 OBTAIN
written permission 10 import Ihe SUBSTITUTE ioi ''''
clause abolishes the requirement OF the owners Po'
mission. and the proposal OF TINS SUBSTITUTE Ill ''
Conference Committee due TO concession on inc
part OF the typographical unions, ana was uoi'o o'
them although somewhat reluctantly for the purpose
of saving the BILL a service which should not oe Io'-
gotten by the friends of the cause.
Tho ingalls, amendment which permitted free
Importation of newspapers and perodicais' "ouu a'o
simply transferred the piratcal establishments iIo"'
the American 10 the Canadian side OF the ooiuer' anu
all sorts of American books, well as foreign poohs,
,n,obt Tins have been freely imported in penodicai
torr either in the form adopted by the socaed cheap
ubrories, or in magazine form. whole BOOKS belne i
cluded in a magazine This form OF puoIcauon III
copyright material is seen In Lippncot's Masa~''e'
and there IS no reason why under the ingalls, amend
nent as originally proposed IT could not nave been
easily adopted for piratical works. Inc lhsaiiS
amendment as modified in the present BILL however Sc
.urcs the American owner OF copyright against sncH
importatons Of works not authorized 10y inc a"t"o''
The conditions of trade will, OF course nave Hec
after TO adjust themselves, but one OF the first thss III
connection with the bill that never to have entered
the minds of people is that now the publishers uuei
the workings of this law afford to advertise English
books more they have ever done before because
they can feel of the returns to them OF te "uer
market -
Mr.. Johnson yesterday IcCtNcu HI'''H 'N'~o''''-0
and letters as well as personal congratulations
From T. c. stedman. who is at Baltimore, came the
following MESSAGE: Congratulate summa cum laude
T. uopkinson smith sent the following characteristic
telegram;
Allow me, sub, 10 present my vehy warmest con-
rratulatons Colonel Carter of Cartcisvllle.'
NJ Tcmplicr of Paris, the president OF the syn
dlcat de la Proprete Litterairc ct Arsiique ana OF
the "Cercc de La Lbraire ct de flmpremerc'" Whlch
were among the associations represented by the Couht
Keratrv on his visit here last year, sent by cable
" Felictations ct remerCementS du Syndlcat CT uu
Cerce"
ENGLISH COMMENTS on THE COPYRIGHT LAW
London March o." The Times" SAYS: THE in
credible has happened. The American Copyright Dill
has become a law at the stroke of the twelfth hour
The British author will rejoice that, troublesome as the
process may be, he in future protect himself
Tits conquest Of civilization has been long in coming
but at last 1t is peasurable duty to welcome 1t.
II will be time enough 70 think of measures for our
defence il and when c find them necessary
The St. James's Gazette" this afternoon advocates
states Copyright Dill.