Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-02-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence


mended in the annual report of the
commissioners Of the District made to
congress. The commissioners invite
early and favorable action on this sub
ject, so that 1.-The health Of those who
participate in the ceremonies of the
Inauguration of the president and the
vice president may be protected from
the dangers of the weather. which
have proved fatal to so many in the
past and have deprived the country of
| some Of its most valuable servants"
The Public Library.
OF the District Public library it is
said that the book collection for the
year has increased from 73,045 to ST..
66S volumes, and that the average dali
ly circulation increased from 1.ll6. the
figures Of the previous year, to 1850.
Favorable action is asked for the bill
authorizing the erection of branch
library building at Takoma Park
Real Estate Valuation.
The total assessed valuation of real
estate in the District for the fiscal year
1906 was $239. 46l ,0S5, producing a rev
enue Of $3501,929. The personal tax
law, governing only franchises and
tangible property, is said to be equita-
bic and moderate and also to be sue
cessful in its operation 1t is asked.
however, that legislation be enacted
prohibiting the refunding Of taxes for
period of more than three years an
tecedent to the date Of application.
Revenue and Debts.
The receipts of the District Of Co
lumbia for 1906 from all sources. in
Guiding those on account Of the water
de- . tment. amounted to So G51.1IO.
This is inclusive of $5,G21G15 of United
States payments from appropriations
under the act of June II, 1873.
The total funded and unfunded debt
of the District on June 80. 1906, was
S14,51S,950. The District has fur
Their matured liability Of five payments
of $15O,OO0 each to the treasurer of the
United States, in trust for the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad company, to
meet the Districts half Of $1.500,O00
required to be paid in connection with
the railroad terminal Improvement.
To Restore Key Mansion.
1t is announced that preparations
have practically been completed for
the incorporation of the Francis Scott
Key Memorial association, its purpose
being the restoration of the Key man.
sion In Georgetown. the home of the
author of 1.-The Star Spangled Banner"
1t is stated that nine residents of this
city and Baltimore will comprise the
society Francis Scott Key Smith.
great grandson of the author. is at the
head of the movement. 1t is proposed
to spend $4,000 in restoring the home
to it's former condition.
Green Room Furniture.
Mrs. Roosevelt has adopted the new
fad for white and delicate tinted wick
err furniture, and now the green room
is looking it's very prettiest and most
informal in some dainty green wicker
with cushions Of the same color, the
hangings to correspond and vines and
flowers everywhere in evidence. White
enameled furniture IS much in evil
dence on the second floor of the house
and, in fact. plays II big part in all Of
the fine Washington drawing rooms.
P3eent Olticc NeeUS.
Congress will he asked this season to
pass legislation to expedite the work in
the patent office, if the plans of Fred
X. Barnacl0, New York lawyer, are
carried out Mr.. Barnaclo Is making
arrangements to meet the president.
the commissioner Of patents and the
committee OH patents to see what can
be done to bring about legislation
which will benefit both the inventor
and the ovcrworked examiners of the
patent Office If his ideas are carried
out the examiners in the patent office
will receive 5000 a year instead of
$1,000, as at present.
Work Far Behind.
ain September the office was flooded
with 23S40 cases, many of the eX-
aminers having averages ranging from
twenty-five to twenty-nne cases day,
with divisions thirteen, twelve, eleven
and ten months behind in their work"
said Mr. Barnaclo, land this, too, mind
you in spite of the fact that on the LIST
of July twenty-eight new examiners
We're added to the office But they
were naturally not efficient in the work
in such q short time.
Facilities Poor.
'In order to properly carry on the
work on a business basis at least 1000
examiners should be employed. and
quarters and facilities should be fur
nished accordingly. There are thirty
nine divisions in the patent office at the
present time. There should be sixty.
No man has less than five cases day,
and the majority have more than fif-
teen and twenty.
"They should not have more than
two or three. Some cases have more
than 100 pages Of typewrting in the
specifications and rs many as 200 and
300 claims. A man cannot examine
such case in n day.
Inventors Suffer.
1.-THE examiner should receive at least
$4,000 a year instead of $1,000. If
you pay an examiner n decent salary
he will stay at his desk in the patent
office longer than he will at the pres