Evening star., 1899-07-17
An Immense Task.

While the arranging of the drawings was
proceeding the work of classification has
also been going on. This involves the care
full consideration of each patent in order to
place it in its proper class and subclaSs.
Many Of these patents have to be read to
be fully understood, and much care must
be taken to select titles which will clearly
indicate the contents of each subclass, and
to preserve clear lines between them Cross
references are also necessary between s'Ib-
classes of the same class by reason of the
presence of mixed matter in the same pat
ent. A system of card index of suhclasses
and other details have been perfected
which will make it possible to detect and
remedy any losses. Arrangements have
also been made for the preservation of the
classification and for the prevention of un-
authorized changes by retaining under the
supervision of the classification division all
patents hereafter granted.
Owing to the lack of space, it has been
deemed advisable to detail only a small
force up to the present time. but while
awaiting the additional space that will be
available when the general land office re-
moves from the patent office building, the
commissioner authorized the chief of the
classification division to select one assist
ant examiner in each examining division to
begin work on the classification of his own
DIVISION retaining his desk therein, but act
ing under the orders of the chief of the
classification division.
1t is also already patent that the work of
the classification division will prove a great
benefit to the office, increasing the ac-
curacy and rapidity of searches, and that
the public will experience corresponding
benefits. 1t will also produce a corps of
experts in classification who will become
mere familiar with all classes of the office
than would be possible We're their services
confined to single division, and those who
| operate in a single division will become
mere thoroughly acquainted with other
classes than they would in working solely
in making examinations. During the pres
ent fiscal year the commissioner expects to
see great advances made in the work of
classification. The chief of the classified
| ton division deserves much credit for what
has already been accomplished under his
| direction, especially in view of the limlta-
| tions that have necessarily been placed
upon him.
Need for More Room.
Regarding room" the commissioner says
This one word expresses the crying need
| of this bureau. With adequate room where
| by our records and stock can be made ac-
cessible and the clerical divisions suitably
rearranged our present force can accom-
| plish much more work in given time and
| fill all orders with business promptitude.
earnestly beg that when the general lanG
! Office vacates the patent Office building you
| will assign rooms so far as possible suf-
ficient for the needs of this bureau In
view of the fact that millions of dollars OF
property would be jeopardized by the des
! tructiOn of our assignment recorls-many
of the original assignments having been lost
| by their owners, wha depend upon duly Ger.
| titled copies-apd in view of the fact that
many of our other records are largely of a
nature that money could not replace, / be-
! lieve fireproof structure should be provid-
| ed in which to store them. The American
Society of Mechanical Engineers represent
| ing the leading manufacturing and engin.
eering interests of the country. as well as
other similar organizations, have forcefully
ha N hull
Some general legislation increasing the
powers of the commissioner of patents.
acting under the direction of the Secretary
| of the Interior, would be beneficial l refer
| among others 70 readjustment of salaries
| and reclassi1cattop of the clerical force:
authority to dispose. of models of expired
| patents; and the exchange or sale of books
| in the scientific library not necessary for
| the use of the Office, coupled with authority
| to replace them with modern scientific
! works. In submitting my estimates for the
next fiscal year these and other matters re-
| quiring legislation will be referred to more
| in detail.