Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-09
WEDDERBURN'S CAS- E
Mr.. Bond Still on the Stand and Further
Questioned.
Popular Interest in the Examination
Is FlaSging md but Few VS.
itors Were Present.

The investigation into the charges against
Wedderburn & Co. was resumed shortly az
ter 10 o'clock this morning before Assist
ant Commissioner A. P. Greeley.
e. H. Bond again took the stand. The
case of Renet was taken up. The witness
testified that in his opinion the case was
rot patentable, though others might d,ffer
from him in that view of the case. Favor
able report was sent to the inventor on his
device, stating that it was regarded as
patentable by Wedderburn & Co. The rec
ords did not show any further CORES
pondence between the firm and their client
until March Z, when a letter was sent
Renet congratuating him on having hit
upon so valuable device and notifying him
that he had been awarded a medal and his
name placed on the firms roll of honor
The inventor then sent on fee of SO and
his case was prosecuted, the apple alton
amended twice and finally rejected.
In reviewing the case OF Purdy, who had
two applications for a patent, neither of
which was granted. Mr.. Small asked
whether that was the case of the man who
sold his last cow to pay for his patent.
Judge Wilson wanted to know where such
testimony hal been secured. and in what
capacity Mr.. Small asked the question.
1t developed that that statement had
Teen made in a letter by Purdy to Edison
evidence. -
The balance of the morning session con-
sisted of a croSS-eXaminat ton of Mr.. Bond
by the assistant commissioner to show the
records in the various cases that were be-
fore him as exhibits. In most of those
cases applications for patents had been re-
fused by the patent office.
Believed 1t Was Valuable.
In the case of Handley, who had a de-
viz cd
derburn & Co. informed the inventor that
they thought his device, if patented, worth
5000 if disposed of on direct sale, or that
it would yield a good income for several
years If worked on the royalty plan. The
application was denied by the patent Office
and Mr.. Bond testified that he did not re-
gard the device as patentabie in view of
the references.
There was considerable falling off in
popular interest in the proceedings of the
investigat ton today, the visitors to the
commissioners room being many less than
last week.
Mr.. Bond continued to testify regarding
records in the cases and to give his opin-
ion regarding the patentabiiity of devices
involved in them.
The Baker case attracted attention of
those attending the investigati ton Wedder-
burn & Co. had found reference for the
clients invention, whiifletree, and made
what was regarded as an unfavorable re-
pert. The letter stated however that as
soon the inventors application was
filed in the patent Office he could at once
proceed to fiEd purchaser for his inven-
ton, and the inventor sent on fee for the
application. which was put in. A silver
medal of honor was also sent the inventor
His application was rejected. and Mr..
Bond gives his opinion that the article was
rot patentable. WeGderburn & Co. also
offered to try and sell the invention If the
inventor would send them $40 advertising
fee.
Mr.. Bond explained that the clerk making
the offer of sale was not the one in charge
Of or who made the search but the assist
ant commissioner remarked that they We're
all employees of John VI edderburn & Co.