Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-12
Mr.. Bond Taken in Hand by Assistant
Commissioner Greeley.
PRACTICES OF WEDDERBURN & co.
Changes Made After He Went
With the Firm.
METHODS OF ADVERTISING

When the investigation of the charges
against Wedderburn & Co. was resumed
this morning before the assistant commits
sioner of patents. Judge Wilson stated that
he was through with his examination of
Mr.. Bond of Wedderburn & Co., and As
sstant Commissioner Greeley proceeded to
question the witness.
Mr.. Greeley asked the witness whether he
knew anything of the business methods Of
Wedderburn & Co. when he went with
them on February 10.
Mr.. Bond replied that he knew nothing
definite on that subject.
Mr.. Greeley-"Was any explanation Of
the business methods of Wedderburn & Co.
made to you at that timer"
Mr.. Bond-"No, SIR
Mr.. Greeley-'Was there anything in
general circulation which could lead you
WedderbuIn & Co. before you went with
them?"
Mr.. Rond-'I had heard there were some
complaints against him by some examiners
on the patent Office
Mr.. Greeley-"YOu were satisfied that
their practice was all right?"
Mr.. Bond-"I was so far as learned"
Found Things He Did Not Approve.
Mr.. Greeley-"You have testified to hav-
ing had fifteen years experience with at
torneys of standing and reputation. Did
you fipd, when you got to work with We'd
derburn Co. anything in their practice
which you did not approve of"
Mr. Bond-'I did. 1 found that searches
were not made in some instances as thor
ing full power from Mr.. Wedderburn /
took steps to have the matter corrected
Mr.. Greeley-"Did you correct it to your
Satisfacton?'
Mr. Rond-''1 did
Mr.. Greeley-"What kind of men were
under your
Mr.. Bond-''Some were competent and
some were not Some of the men came
There for the experience they would get
and for the purpose of learning the bust
ness"
Mr.. Greeley-"were they intrusted with
work of making searches?"
Mr. Bond-"Not directly, but in charge
of others
Mr. Greeley-"How many searches day
did these green men make?''
Mr. Bond-"In the case of Berry five
searches were made on his first day, then
on days following there were made six,
three, five, two and FOUR"
Mr.. Greeley-"That was pretty good work
for green man..
Mr.. Bond-'1t may have been. The five
examined on the first day may have been
IN string envelopes, SO far as l know. l
have frequently given several cases fer ex-
animation in the same class. 1 have given
as high as eight in the same class in one
day
The former testimony that an average
OF seven and a half cases were examined
IN one day was repeated by Mr.. Bond and
the assistant commissioner wanted to know
If the witness had had anythin,, like that
average with other attorneys with w.pm
ne Ead been employed.
Mr.. Eond-'1 was never with an attor-
ney before who had anything like the
amount of business of Wedderburn G. Co."
Sixty-Fivc Per Cent UnfavornbIe.
Mr. Bond testified that while he was with
Wedderburn & Co. 65 per cent of the
searches were unfavorable and 30 per cent
favorable.
Sam Acker. the witness said, had made
twelve searches In one day. and he was as
good seareher as it had been his expari-
ence TO deal with. He understood his bust
references. and knew whether they were
pertinent when found and was cons,iel-
tiOus in his work.
Mr.. Bond testified that from February Is
10 May =. 1897, Wedderburn & Co made
lbs searches, and from March, 1895. to
March. 1887, they had made $1,000 search
Mr.. Greeley-"were there any other
Wedderburn & Co. did business?'
Mr.. Bond-'Some models We're received
that
way business was done there you did not
approve off,
Mr.. Bond said he had found some forms
OF letters employed that were not such as
he thought they should use He Thought
tney were not as clear and distinct as they
should have been. He had them Changed
MI Greeley-"You think the client is en-
titied. when he sends on money for
searcher?'
MIR. Bond-"I think he should have
competent search"
MI Mr, Greeley-"How can an inefficient
searcner make an expert searcher?"
Mr. Bond explained that the less exner.
fenced searchers would secure references
and have Mr.. Snyder, in charge look over
tnem and pick out the one that would an
ucipate the invention.
Methods of Advertising.
the assistant commissioner produced a
clipping from the Washington Post of Sum-
day. March Z, 1897, being an article of three
columns regarding the business of Wedder-
burn q Co. The assistant commissioner
read from the article in question as follows:
1T Is perhaps natural that Mr.. Wedder-
burns success should be envied by some of
his would-be rivals. whose business has
suffered by comparison with the strict in
tegrity, publicity and guaranteed fairness
that nave characterized the system pursued
by his firm His position as leader in his
profession Is so impregnable. however, that
even his most INSCRIPTIONS detractors have
been unable to successfully assail him. His
advent in the important field of patent
soliciting has done more than any other
one thing to kill off the so-called no pat
ent, no pay, attorneys who have been the
bane of the guileless inventor from time
immemorial."
The article continued to say that many
of these patents when granted were worth
less. covering but one claim.
Mr.. Greeley asked the witness how that
article was published in the Post.
The witness said he had nothing to do
with the advertising of Wedderburn &
Co., and knew nothing about it.
Mr. Greeley referred to the statement
in the article In question that many one
claim patents are valueless, and a discus
sion followed on the subject of value of
such patents.
Mr.. Greeley asked the witness II the
letter giving references to inventions re-
ported unfavorably and stating the cost
of applying for a patent was sent out as an
unfavorablc report when he went with
Wedderburn & Co.