Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
RICHARDSON'S BOOK
MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THE
HOUSE PRINTING COMMITTEE.

The House committee on printing this
morning took up for consideration the reso-
luton introduced by Representative Henry
c. Smith of Michigan, inquiring into the
matter of the printing and distribution OF
Representative Richardson's compilation
of the Messages and Papers of the Presa-
dents by the bureau of national literature
and art (chartered), Washington. D. c.
Mr.. Smith was before the committee, ana
presented an array OF particulars showing
the methods of the bureau" in selling its
volumes He stated that on November Y
last the secretary of the bureau, Mr..
Lanson. wrote to A. B. Bragdon. Monroe.
Mich. inclosing him certificate emitting
him to IAN option on one copy of the sup
! Elemental volume of the messages and.
papers Of the Presidents. The letter added:
You will be pleased to know that this vol
ume makes complete all the messages or
the late President Mckinley. including his
last public utterance at Buffalo, Wnicn
ranks as one of his ablest addresses. 1t also
embraces the messages of President Roose-
yelt to date . There was no appro-
priation made by Congress for the publish
ing of the supplemental volume; therefore,
on account of many requests for the same,
the work was taken up by the bureau OF
national literature and art, and a small
pro rata charge made for each volume.
Therefore. should you desire copy. tmne-
date action Is necessary, in order that
your printing and binding order may be
placed Immediately. If you wish to secure
this volume return application card, with
amount. $40, before date Of expiration Of
option"
A Book Agent in Disguise.
Assistant secretary of the treasury. Mr..
Allies" continued Mr.. Smith. wrote to Rep
resentative Butler Of Pennsylvania in De-
cember, 1901. concerning the Gravure Com
pany Of America, and stated that the same
is simply a book agent in disguise. pri-
vate concern believe that the so-called
allotment referred to by the agents Of the
Gravure company is simply an alluring
form which they have adopted to give to
the distribution OH -tal app arance which
it does not actually possess. 1t is possible
that the plates were enlarged from the por-
traits contained in the Messages and Pa
pers of the Presidents which were made.
at the bureau of engraving and printing.
1 am Informed by those who represent
James S. Barcus that the Gravure COM
pany and the Bureau of National Literature
and Art are all one, and that Barcus Is all
there is Of either. and that the same are not
incorporated. 1t Is also fact that the
messages proper are distributed by the Blu
reau Of Literature and Art and the plates
by the Gravure company.
Mr.. Smith quotes number OF other in
stances Of like character which had come
uLucT Ills OUScEfdllOu duu Dccu ISpOILSo
to him by members Of Congress. He then
gave review of the compilation of the
work by Mr.. Richardson and its publfca-
ton, with a history Of Mr.. Richardson's
lease of the plates to Barcus for ten years.
reserving a royalty of Is cents per set on
all sets sold
'Mr. Barcus." said Mr.. Smith. began
trading under the name OF J. 8. Barcus
Company then under the committee Of dis
tribution, and the people were led to be-
lieve that the government was in some
way connected with the work. Now differ
emit language is used and other names, yet
the public is still being deceived.
Resolutions Submitted.
In conclusion Mr. Smith submitted the
following:
THAT the publication Is not legally copy
righted, either the matter, the form. or the
Illustrations, and that for the protection of
the public the committee on printing
should so report and Congress SO declare.
And the public should be Informed OF the
true situation. so that the possibility of de-
ception would not exist. and that the work
should be distributed, IL at all, under fair
competition.
"That the language of the statute forbid
ding the copyrightng Of government pub
locations Is strong enough to warrant inter-
ference by the proper authorities by an in
junction against every effort to deceive the
public. That the general legal department
should be notified as to the subject, with
instruction to protect the public in the mat
ter.
THAT some proceeding should be had to
republish the papers for free distribution
THAT public sentiment ID against making
barter and sale selling and getting gain
from these papers,.
Representative Elias Holiday OF Indiana
appeared In behalf OF Mr.. Barcus and made
q brief argument to the effect that mas
much as Mr.. Barcus had paid for the plates
and would suffer a loss II he were deprived
OF the privilege of selling the books It
would be unjust for the government = In
terfere In the matter. The committ0 -
no action upon the resolution. go