Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-10
AN EDISON HEARING
ORDERED By THE PRESIDENT Be
FORE PATENT OFFICE
Story Involving Indirectly the Conn
missioner and Directly One
Of His Examiners.

The President of the United States has
demanded that Thomas A. Edison, the
world-famed inventor, be given a hearing
before the commissioner of patents.
Behind this simple statement of facts is
story involving indirectly the commissioner
of patents and directly one of his exam
liners.
Some time ago Thomas A. Edison, who. by
the way, has taken out more patents than
any individual in the world. made applica-
ton for device to be used in connection
with his famous storage battery, which he
promised the public would revolutionize
motor vehicles and be of incalculable bene-
fit to the consumers of electricity.
While this application for patent was
pending. it is charged, the examiner in
charge of the case permitted an inventor
who was operating along the same lines to
withdraw his application and insert in the
specifications and claims facts which were
covered in the Edison patent
According to the patent office practice
this is entirely irregular, for in amending
an application for patent the claimant is
not allowed to insert anything not germane
to the original application. In other words,
If man makes application for a patent
for sewing machine operated by speci-
fed mechanism. he has no right after the
application has been filed to withdraw the
same and insert in that application means
for propelling the machine by other move
ments.
Entered Protest.
When Edson's attorneys discovered that
the rival inventor had been permitted
through his attorneys to withdraw the pa
pers in the case and insert features which
were covered by the Edison invention, they
Immediately entered a protest and asked
for hearing. The commissioner refused
to grant hearing, and then it was that
the case was taken to the President, The
service of another attorney, who Is well
and favorably known at the White House.
and who enjoys the confidence of the pat
emit bar, was employed to make the presen-
tation. Before going to the President, how
ever, he made another try before the COM
missioner, and pointed out to him the
course he would pursue in the event he
was denied a hearing. The commissioner,
it Is stated, refused to interfere, and In
sisted that he would give no hearing on the
question.
Taken to President.
The case was then taken to the President
and fully explained. It is said after the
President had patiently listened to COM
plete exposition Of the case he said:
What Mr.. Edison asks is not unreason-
able. He occupies peculiar position In
this inventive age. and he shall be given
an opportunity to be heard"
with this he directed that communica-
ton be at once had with the commissioner
Of patents, and that he be directed to give
a hearing upon the case.
This hearing, 1t is understood, has taken
place before Assistant Commissioner Moore
the commissioner asking to be excused
from hearing the arguments on the ground
that his previous attitude might be con-
sidered as biased
The greatest interest is being manifested
in the outcome of the case, and those who
are inside say that 1t may result in some
changes in the patent office.