New-York tribune., 1897-05-15
THE CITY MUST PAY DEARLY
,topC THAN 100000 FOR THE INFRINGE
MENT OF A PATENT
JUDGE WHEELER HANDS DOWN TIE DECISION
IN AN ACTION BEGUN BY c. C CAMPBELL
IN is77-A RELIEF VALVE IN FIRE
ENGINE PUMPS THE ROME
oF CONTENTION

rrdre Wheeler in the United States Circuit Ccurt
Yesterday handed down decision allowing Christie
nber c Campbell. in his action against the city OF
Ncw-York Cor infringe OF a patent for fire
e,res the sum OF sslS 80
Tho action was Negun on November a. 1877. In
NAY q 1868 lctters-patent for relief valve IN
steam, fre-enginc pumps granted tD James
Kn.bbs who assigned IL to Campbell The use OF this
oaten enabled those engines q be operated so as 10
sxtinCuish fires with n minimum loss n the de-
s.rction OF property and avoided needless waste OF
water In 1856 the Fire Department had twenty
nine steam engines in service and four being
suit By the end OF 1Se5 all the old engines had
--c7 equipped with the patent.
The patent was sustai-ed in court and account
ing o. TSofts ordered The Master in Chanccry 10
whon the referred reported that Campbell
was entitled My seSS3s. profits from savings
IN making repairs. Exceptions made by botn
paintlN ard defendant this report. and the case
came then before Judge Wheeler.
IN his decision Judge Wheeler says that the evil
dence is conclusive that the city enjoyed the ad-
vaatages from the Of the patent which Campoeh
asserted the patent would afford. The latter has
contended that Il brought about economy In
manual labor IN engine and pump repairs aud In the
use OF water proongation In the life Of the engines
Increased efficiency in their use and other savings
he therefore sud for the amount saved the city
in these ways by the use OF the patent for az 'he
years II in force. Harvey D. HadlocK "aIte'
X Griffin and others represented Campbell ana Ea-
uun6 Wetmore and John r. Bennett the city
The reason for the great difference between '4e
sum OF SIS 7s6 allowed by the Master IN Chh'1e'9
United States Commissioner Shields, ana 10 "
ssls O74 81 now granted by Judge Wheeler Is ishsT i
Commissioner Shields did not thinK thdt ..;,.ts o.
had proved conclusivey many OF MS ass '.,5 10
10 the amounts of money his patents ndu 80" &c -
city. The claims in particular the eElCe,,i sio,er
which was satisfactory 70 .r ., 80
cbisids were those relating 20 the saving IN ma
chinists' labor and in the breakage on nOso n.a,t NJ
The SUIT mas been OF the most ~. = os
large number OF patent suits W1ira ~ rnr ~ Con
had 10 defend in recent years Inc MasHH sH ls. their
offices early yesterday afternoon netOre "ie' W
heard OF the decision against me ~ run,her OF
Tbe Controller has on account OF the nuiiD.' ." ~
suits for patent heterogeneous in recent yea IA
sistsd that the patentee OF art!cle who ma % aneH
Contract with the city shall give oond 70 seouIe %
the city against loss Bonds were noI e@nen @ .nTer
ever in 1854 when the Campbell patent was Iaken
out so that unless appeal is taken from 1urf ,,
Wheeler's decision. which is probable the CIT! WI
have 10 pay the amount. -. ,,oor,
city Magistrate Deuel. was for NUMBER % ye.as -
Master IN Chancery in the Campoell case ne was
succeeded by United States Commissioner ohieius'