New-York tribune., 1907-07-01
EXPERIWENTERS' WORK.
Millions Sa0ed to american People
by Government Scientists.

Washington June 3O.-"Millions of dollars-in
fact u sum so vast that it cannot now be est
mated-have been saved 10 the American peopIe by
discoveries made by government scientists during
the fiscal year which closed to-day" declared Sec
retary Wilson, IN speaking the record of the De
partment of Agriculture for the year. Time alone
must develop the Importance to the world of the
experiments being conducted every day ny these
men; whose only reward is in the passing fame
attained in reporting valuable finds. There would
De money in many of these discoveries if the
Sclehtlsts were TO patent them in their names.
put II every case the people a whole are the
penehciares. for the patents are dedicated to the
government, to be used by the United States or
any Of its officers employees in the prosecution
of work for the United States, or by any person
in the United States. without the payment of
Secretary Wilson feels that the recognition by the
government of these discoveries is far too meagre
but he does not hesitate 10 give to the scientist
inns little help whenever he feels that 1t is merted.
Whenever valuable discovery, warranting United
states patent is made by an employe of the De-
pi thet OF Agriculture the Secretary advances the
salary OF the emplOye much is possible
to do under the law. The patent is taken out in
this country in the name Of the scientist making
the discovery and then turned over TO the United
States. If the discovery is applicable to use in
foreign country the scientist is authorized To re-
ceive the benefit. but usually the patent is of
character depgned to meet conditions in the United
States and 10 of little value elsewhere.
Among the patents which have attracted national
attention are those the labelling fresh meats
that have passed government inspection, the use
OF leIdSpatnc rocks as fertilizers and the preVen
ton OF corrosiOn of fence wire and rusting of iron
and steel generally.
Secretary Wilson estimated that the discovery OF
an ink which may be used in stamping carCasses
THAT have passed government meat inspection and
which viii not stain, spread or penetrate the meat
Will in Itself save the government between $30,GG
and $4,000 next year, and propOrtionately larger
sum annually the amount of government in
spected meat increases. The ink discovery was
made by Marion Dorsett acting chief of the
bioch2mic division of the department laboratory
All he received from the government was an ad-
vance In salary amounting TO about $1,000 q year.
Dr. Allerton :. Cushman assistant director OF
the Office of public roads. discovered the principles
Of tie extraction of potash from finely ground
feldspathic rocks. This discovery means that the
United States will longer he dependen> upon
Germany for the supply OF potash used IN me
manufacture Of fertilizers. b. 7. Galloway, chlet
of the bureau Of plant industry IS now experiment
ing with fedsoathic rock in the cultivation OF
tobacco in Connecticut
1t was DR. Cushman also who made imporiaft l
discoveries the manufacture of fence "ire OF
greatly increased durability At cost no greater
than under the present process Along the same
lines he investigated the subject OF preventing le
rllsting Of all exposed metals including steel rals
In the case Of DIR. Cushman, Secretary wilson says
the government offer no reward as ne aiIe',.'H
receives the highest salary authorized by Ia" IoF
in his position