Evening journal., 1907-08-06
MILLIONS SAVED
BY U.S.. employees
Valuable Patents Dedicated
to Government in the
Past Year
DTSCOVERlESOfGREATVALUE

Millions Of dollars-in fact a sum so
vast that It cannot now be estimated
have been saved to the American peo-
Pile by discoveries made by govern
ment scientists during the fiscal year"
declares Secretary Wilson I'm speaking
OF the record of the department of ag
riculture for the year
Time alone must develop the inn
portance TO the world of the expert
ments being conducted every day by
these men, whose only reward IS IN
the passing fame attached In report
ing valuable finds. There would be
money IN many Of these discoveries If
the scientists were TO patent them In
their own names. but I'm every case the
people as a whole are the benenciaries,
for the patents are dedicated 10 the
government 10 be used by the United
States or any of its officers or em-
ployes In the prosecution OF work for
the United States, or by any person In
the United States without the pay
ment OF royalty"
Secretary Wilson feels that the rec
ognition by the government OF these
discoveries is far too meagre, but he
does not hesitate 20 give 10 the scien-
tist this little help whenever he feels
that it is merited. Whenever valu-
able discovery. warranting a United
States patent, Is made by an employe
OF the department of agriculture, the
secretary advances the salary of the
employe as much as IL Is possible to do
under the law. The patent Is taken out
in this country in the name Of the sci
enlist making the discovery, and then
dedicated to the United States. II the
discovery is applicable to use in a for
| eign country the scientist Is author
/ ized TO receive the beneft, but usually
the patent is. OF a character designed
to meet conditions in the United States
and is Of little value elsewhere.
Discovery In Ink.
Among the patents which have at
tracted national attention are those
in relation TO the labelling OF fresh
meats that have passed government
] inspection. the use of feldspathic rocks
as fertilizers, and, the prevention of
corrosion OF fence wire and rusting Of
iron and steel generally.
Secretary Wilson estimates that the
Il discovery of an ink which may be
used in stamping carcasses that have
/ passed government meat inspection,
and which will not stain, spread or
II penetrate the meat, will I'm itself save
the government between 100000 and
s4OO. 600 next year. and proportionate-
lly larger sum annually as the amount
of government inspected meat in
lcreases. The ink discovery was made
by Marion Dorset, acting chief of the
biochemic division Of the department
laboratory. All he received from the
I government was an advance on salary
lamounting to about $1,000 a year.
Rocks as Fertilizer. aa. .e4t4 .
DR. Allerton S Cushinan. assistant
.director Of the Office Of public roads
discovered the principles Of the ex.
traction of potash from finely ground
feldspathic rocks This discovery
e lmeans that the United States viii ng
: longer be dependent upon Germany foi
{ the supply OF potash used in the man
} ufacture of fertilizers. b. I. Gallo.
I way chief of. the bureau Of plant in.
dustry, is now experimenting with field
) spathic rock in the cultivation OF 10.
! bacco in Connecticut.
/ II was DR. Cushman who also made
important discoveries in the manufac.
ture of fence wire of greatly increas.
ed durability at a cost no greater thar
under the present process. Along th'
same lines he investigated the sub
ject of preventing the rusting of al
exposed metals. including steel rails. II
the case OF Dr. Cushman, Secretar,
Wilson says the government can offei
no reward. as he already receives th'
highest salary authorized by law FOL
one IN his position.