Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-12

Hearings could be mad, thus assuring the
presence at all times OF a full board,
which has not been the case for many
years past, owing to the fact that. there
were but three members, and very ire
auently one would be absent through
sickness or annual leave.
There were hearings on this measure
covering a period of seven or eight days,
at which the patent attorneys had repre-
sentation. They were told by the commit
tee that they must either submit sub
stitute measure or give some valid rea-
sons why the bill should not be favorapiy
reported. This they failed to do after
three attempts. as their associates were
mostly in favor of the bill before the
committee. They were given the same
privilege during the last Congress ana
failed then.
They asked the privilege also of COM
municating with 700 patent attorneys TOT
the purpose Of getting letters In opposi-
ton to the bill, the attorneys to be SO
written to to be selected by the ob1ectors
to the measure. But after three years
they have failed to produce such letters.
except from two of the members OF the
Patent Law Association of Washington,
d. c.
Letters Favoring the Measure.
"on the contrary. however. the promi-
nent members Of the patent bar Of the
United States wrote to the committee on
patents strongly favoring the passage OF
the bill as being favorable to the best In
terests Of every one concerned. The main
object of the bill Is to save expense to
the inventor in the matter of appeal fees
and attorneys fees for arguing the case.
and to lessen the delay In the issuance or
patents. Therefore, the only inference
that can be drawn from the action or
desire to retain the present unnecessary
appeal in order that they may derive some
personal revenue from arguing the appeal
in question. at the expense of the inven-
tor.
THE duty of the commissioner of pat
ents is to protect the public and the in
ventor. The commissioner has always
sad. and 1t is of record in his report and
printed in the hearings before the COM
mittees of Congress- that the patent laws
of the United States are superior to those
of any other nation. as eviuenced by the
fact that foreign countries have adopted
our laws
The system of classifcation and digest
ing of all material used in connection
with the examination of patents Is at
present vastly superior in Germany and
Great Britain to the system in the United
States patent office.
Congress Makes Provision.
Congress however, has recently pro-
vided for increases of force and salaries
and additional room. The present ap-
preparation bill contains provision for
twenty additional examiners. who will
be added to the classification division for
the purpose OF bringing about the same
favorable conditions now existing in the
German and British patent offices, and it
is expected that patents granted in the
immediate future will have a greater
degree of validity assured than those at
present issued.
AS to the statement that influence of
various kinds has been brought to bear
on the examiners and officials of the
patent office, it is true. but 1t does not
necessarily mean brides of money, al
though the commissioner has recently de-
fected a case Of that kind, and the at
torney and the assistant examiner were
D. omptly Investigated, the case was
brought before the grand jury and they
are now serving sentences in the peniten-
tary.