Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-26
OPPOSED TO THEIR REMOVAL.
Patent Attorneys and Inventors Will
Petition the Government.

Patent Attorneys and Inventors Will
Petition the Government.
The action of the authorities in calling
for the designations of Messrs. Henry NJ.
Bates and r. L. b. Clark, members of the
board of examiners-in-chief of the patent
office, as printed in The Star yesterday,
has given rise to a considerable amount
Of feeling in this city, especially among
the patent attorneys, and movement is
on foot seeking to have the request with
drawn.
As soon as 1t became noised abroad that
the designations Of these two gentlemen
were to be called for the patent men of
the city at once took up arms in the mat
ter and patent attorneys throughout the
country were informed by wire, with the
result that already petitions have been
received from the patent bars of several Of
the large cities asking for their retention.
Chicago and New York have been heard
from unanimously in the matter, and a big
petition Is expected from Boston tomorrow
morning. Mr.. Bates has been in the serv-
ice since 1877 and Mr.. Clark since 1869.
Both have been noted for their Nberality
In dealing with the subject of patents and
have acted on the theory that 1t was best
to encourage the liberal arts and to hold
out all possible encouragement to inventors
and all who were interested in the matter
of patents. On the other hand 1t is said
that the policy OF the department has
been to surround them with restrictions
and any quantity Of red tape. The patent
attorneys of this city, acting on behalf Of
the inventors Of the country, are unani-
nous In seeking the retention of these two
officials and are active in securing names
to the petitions which are to be presented
to the President.
In conversation with Star reporter this
afternoon one of the leading patent attor-
neys said that in his opinion the resigna-
ton Of these two gentlemen would be a
positive detriment to the service. In my
opinion" said he. 1.-The position of an ex-
aminer-in-chief should be life position,
or at least during good service. Things
have got to such pass now that there are
between 1000 and 5000 sub-classes in the
matter of patents. and this gives some
aminer must be familiar with. In this city
judges are appointed to the bench for life
on the theory that the longer they serve
the better judges they make The same
rule would certainly apply to patent ex-
aminers, for In a way their duties are ju-
dictaL At any rate, the more they know
about their business the better public ser
wants they make. These two gentlemen
have done all in their power to encourage
American inventors, and it seems unjust
that their efforts in this line should be re-
warded by dismissal. I am given to under
stand that one or two Congressman who
failed of reelection are to be given these
positions, which pay $1,000 year. They
know nothing about the patent business,
and their appointment would be q severe
blow to the inventors of the country. It is
said. that Messrs. Bates and Clark have
been too liberal. They have certainly not
been SO to an extent that amounts to any
detriment to the public interests They
have encouraged the fine arts, it Is true,
and If it is any harm to aid American in
dustries instead of hampering them with
needless restrictions l presume they are
guilty of the charge. But I can say that
there Is scarcely an inventor or an attor-
ney in the country who has dealings with
the patent Office who does not regret this
action Of the authorities and hope that it
may be reconsidered."