The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-10-14
WASHINGTON LETTER,

American copyright and patent protection
convention is to be held in Washington
next May.
This convention will be important TO
American manufactures, inventors and
authors. The agreement Of all the
American republics to send delegates to
such convention to formulate regula-
tons to be adopted by the various coun-
tries was obtained by the diligent efforts
of the American delegation to the Pan
American Conference which was held 1T
Buenos Ayres last summer. The delega-
tion,- OF which Hon. Henry White, of
Baltimore, former Ambassador to France,
was chairman, took up the patent and
and copyright proposition as one of the
most important points advanced before
that conference.
For years American holders of patents,
copyrights and trademarks have COM
planned that their rights have been almos.
continuously infringed upon by manufac-
turers and dealers of the Latin republics,
owing TO the lack Of general agreement.
These infripgements, it is held, deprived
American owners of a large percentage of
Legitimate profits. The loss finally be-
came so heavy, through the lack of legal
protection, that the American manufac-
turers planned campaign of commercial
discrimination against the offending coun-
tries. Forseeirg eventual injury to them
selves, the Latin countries were finally
brought to realize the necessity of reach
ing an agreement advantageous to all
parties.
~
Indian conditions generally in the
State of Oklahoma will be investigated
by Secretary of the Interior Ballfnger
this week.
The law prohibiting the introduction
of liquor into the "Indian country in
Northern Minnesota will be enforced
without discrimination. The question,
which has been under agitation for a
year. was thus decided Friday by Secre-
tary Ballinger. 1t effects number of
Minnesota cities.
The so.called ''Indian country" covers
rs or rs counties, extending from near
Minneapolis to the northern boundary
line of the State and including several
extensive white settlements. During the
past II months the subject of the sale OF
intoxicants has been very grave issue
and has resulted in some conflict of au-
I thority between local and Federal off.
cials. The restriction goes back to the
time of the original treaty with the In.
dams in 1855. 1t is contended on the
one hand that the prohibition still holds
good throughout the region, and, on the
other hand, that it is only applicable to
the country now occupied by Indians.
Thee Secretary holds the former view.
Definite standards of safety appliance.
to be attached to railway cars and loco
motives finally have been agreed upor
after nearly third Of century Of effort
1t is estimated that the proposed changes
in equipment will cost the railroads abou
$50, ooo, 900.
The agreement was reached by com
mittee appointed last week by the Inter
state Commerce Commission, consisting
offs men, Eve representatives OF operatin,
departments of railroads, five safety ap
pliance inspectors of the Commission
and five railroad operatives.
Radical differences of opinion ant
Judgment were met by concessions, ant
the agreement reached is unanimous a
to all equipment to be constructed in tn,
future, except as to placing foursill step
on non-projecting cars. That matter will
be determined by the Commission.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, through it
master mechanic, Mr.. Gibbs, entered OBJ
Elections to the transferring of the hant
brake from the right to the left side O
the cars, and TO the placingof ionr lad
ders on each car.
| The Commission was given six month
in which to frame and make effective suit
able standards of safety appliances. Th'
order Of the Commission must be promul
gated by October "a. The agreemen
reached today will apply only to nev
equipment, but the Commission viii
determine the standards on the presen
equipment.
/ Labor questions confront the Suprem
Court at the beginning of its eigh
months work for I9Io.I9TI in humble
and degree of importance perhaps unpre
cedented. With the momentous indus
trial consequences hanging upon the de
cisiops in the Standard Oil. Tobacc'
Trust and corporations tax cases, thos,