New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-18
FORMAL. CHARGES AGAINST MR.. SIMONDS

TIE EX.COMMIssIONER OF PATENTS sAfs I"Ni
HE DID NOTHING IMPROPER
Washington, May 1.-THE rum0rs mat nave NV" ~,
circulation In the Interior Department lor - -
weeks, which bring into serious question 'ie o'"''
integriiy of W. f. simonds, eX-Commi'sloher VI
Patents took tangible form today by the ming oi
formal charges against Mr.. eimondS ana Poster "
Freeman the attorneys in this city for the bei
Telephone Company alleging improper Inspection OF
the secret files In the celebrated DiawDaush ieH
phone cases. and the unlawful taxing OF copies Thereon
for the private use OF Mr.. SimondS ana oil me Eel
Telephone Company. Collision in This matter when
also involves the official conduct Of Chief Clerk Ben
nett of the Patent Office, Is charged. and the com
missioner is requested TO issue rule upon Mr.
Simonds and Messrs. Foster d Freeman to show
cause why they should not be dsbarrcd from prac-
Using before the Patent once
The petitioners are Mcssrs. Church & Church, who
stand high among the patent lawyers Of this city,
One month ago Messrs. Church & Church sent
communication to Commissioner Seymour embodyins
these allegations In general way, without however,
specifying names, and asking that an Investigation
be had. Up 10 this time report rs to the Com
mlssioncr's findings had been received.
Mr. Bennett. Chief Clerk Of the Patent Office, when
questioned today as TO the allegations contained In
the Messrs Clurch's petition. said
Il do not deny furnishing the copies, and ] would
do t.r thing tomorrow. 1t Is my business
TO obey orders
Mr.. Sni0nds nj the AStor House yesterday. and
emphatcally denied the charges which Lad been made
against him rs Commissioner. lie said that he had
not been Informed that there had been any charges
made inst him that his ohcia! conduct was to
be investigated except through the published dis
patches from WASHINGTON.
"Ilcwever." said Mr.. ~imondS. ." I am ready for IN
nvestcaion. There Is absolutely no ground for the
charges Of misconduct. Tie whole thing is due partly
10 ignorance Of the facts. | suppose. and pnrly to
the policy Of the present Administration TO seek 10
clscrodt I'm every WAY the management oi affairs
under the last Administration.
at IS charged that have allowed 10 he copied ap-
plcations for telephone patents In violation OF the
law. There is no Law To- prevent anything except
the caveats filed nj the Patent Office from being made
public Judge Lacomhc decided this point in ore OF
the Edison electric light There Is no law oil
secrecy upon these applications. and II Is within the
discretion Of the Comms TO permit them 10 be
copied. remember only tv" Instances OF such up.
pcations however, both OF which fer certain reasons
deEicd.
at Is also charged that l took advantage OF my
official position TO compile n pamphlet entlI'd' ~
CONDENSED TRAITS on the Law Of Patents did com
pile the work while i'll Office because there was Il
public need for 1t. ! cndcavored 10 get an APP
prolriaton from Congress TO publish II ~ IN oIcla
document. Having failed Of this, published 1t at
Mr. Simords is from Connecticut. where 10 has
served as Speaker of the lower house. As in"npr
Of Conerc,s be became tnDyrirbi io Io For
his services III this cause he received inc cross VI 'e
Legion of Homer. . -. +, ,ht, o,,,
The following telegram sent ly them lasi night
TO the Commi. iones o; Iatenis. Mr.. seymour
us I'm the evening papers. Waving objections We
might properly make We demand an Immediate AMI
thorough Investigations o,,.,,vs - ,,oorrp
"rRAYK l.. FREEMAN