Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
WILL BRING WORK TO DATE
Effect of Increased Force in the Patent
Office.
Annual Report of the Commissioner
Submitted 20 the Secretary of
the Interior.

The annual report Of the commissioner of
pltents has been submitted to the Secre-
tary of the Interior. During the year end
ing June 80 1898 40 1875 applications for
letters patent were received, together with
z.s31 applications for design patents. 90
applications for reissue patents, sol appli-
& .tions for registration Of trade marks. 1Io
applications for registration Of labels, 80
Cor registration Of prints and 1928 caveats.
During the year 22,731 patents were
granted including reissues and designs,
there were ,455 trade marks registered. II
labels and IS prints.
The number OF letters patent withheld
for non-paymsnt Of final fee aggregated
S,754. During the year Il. 167 letters patent
expired.
The receipts during the year amounted
TO 81 ,25S, e4s. n, and the expenditures, in
fuding total in all appropriations, were
q ,0s1 ,633.T9, leaving a surplus on hand Of
EI2y314.65.
! The report shows the number Of appli-
pations awaiting action to be u. 1877.
Referring to the increased force allowed
by Congress the commissioner says:
7 This just, though somewhat tardy, &C
lion by Congress will enable US not only
81 bring up the arrears Of work. but also
70 keep It well in hand, unless there Is a
Heavy increase in the number of applica-
lions received. The gain should be such as
70 enable me at the end of the present cal
sandar year to report every new case receiv-
ing examination within six weeks after its
receipt and every amended case within ten
days after Its receipt 1t will also enable
practical advance to be made in the
Hlassihcation Of all letters patent and print
% publications IN this office by tie estab-
fshment of a classification division, which,
N connection with and application of the
present system OF classification, will. be-
heve, greatly improve the methods and
means now employed In the examination
OF applications as TO the novelty of fnven-
ton. The result of this cannot fail to be
extremely beneficial, not only to the in
Eentors and those directly interested in
th5 manufacture of patented inventions
but to the general public interested. as
sVery one is. in the early issue of valid
rather than worthless patents The atten-
non OF the office is now directed to formu-
lating the best possible plan for remedvine
the defects in the present system of cIsssi.
Hcatlon, and making such changes and adj
utlons as may be determined to he the
most practicable and efficacious for cor
system" PieoeH'
Inc commissioner So s. in presenting his
esuInateS' tnat he vii recommend an in
srease 70 SVo0 per annU N in the salary of
tue se'eht}-sx copyists now empioyed nv,
tne bureau This. he says will not only h.
an act OF common justice but is necessarv
the department is to retain a permanent
- o1A--iCu slcuOSrdpl0rS and tyDa-
writers. such as Is essential to its ,ea6s
9lany on the best assistants in this line he
ssys, are transferred to other offices to the
o4s , oetriment OF this. The amount re-
Vqtred 10 equalize the salaries is sl3 ESQ
Ourlng the past six months thirteen mem,
Ders OF the examining corps have resigned
these designations, the Commissioner saws
StipPie t1e Iorce. as 1t Is long time before
new and inexperienced men can randar
equally efneient service. These frequent
changes In the force of this office. he saws
- an eFA OF no small magnitude While a
majority OF these have resigned to go into
business, some. actuated by the spirit of
PatflotlSm and sense of duty have ten
oeFeo tneir services to their country and
such viii be welcomed back at the success
iul termination of the present war.