New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-28

The news from Buffalo that a court de-
cison had been rendered yesterday IN
favor 81 the Wright company in its suit
against the Herring Curtiss Company and
Glenn II. Curtiss mad been awaited by
students Of aeronautics In this city for
many months II is a subject % world
vide import
For upward OF four years this litiga-
ton had been actively prosecuted Hear
ings We're held IN this city. Buffalo.
Washington Augusta Ga. and Springfield
and Dayton. Ohio Friends uf the Wrlghts
feel that 1t H. a remarkable coincidence
that the German decision, also favorable
To the Wrghts should he promulga ted
almost simultaneously with that OF Judge
Hazel
the chief point Of interest rests in the
effect the sweeping support Of the patent
claims Of the Wright company by foreign
and American courts will have on the art
Of aviation.
William j. Hammer was asked at his
home No 1913 West 10Th street. To express
an opinion concerning the probable effect
OF the decisions Mr. Hammer is an au-
thority on this subject because OF his
long and intimate relationship with the
Wright brothers. and because he was the
principal witness In all the suits brought
by them i'm this country. He H. connected
with various aeronauticai organizations.
and IL WAS h. who as aeronautical eX-
pert FOR the Hudson Fulton celebration.
made the contract with the Wright broth
ers resulting in the notable nGht OF Will
bur Wright up the Hudson from Gov
ernors Island Ia Grants Tomb and back
Il am" said Mr.. Hammer. naturally
very much pleased that the decision has
gone in favor Of the Wrights do not
think It will result in anything disad-
vsntageous 10 the Development. OF the ar.
10 me IL seems n just recognition, late as
1t j.. Of the merit and originality of the
Wright invention While | have no au-
thority To speak FOR them, IL is reasonable
to suppose that the Wright company will
make suitable icensee on royalty ar
rangements with competitors i'm this field.
II can bark back to the time when the
Wright brothers had no friends when
every body said that the art was full OF
anticipatons of the work Of the Wrights
that their way was not the best way to
do II. and that there We're lot OF other
ways The whole art. all over the world.
has been gone over with a fine-tooth comb
without finding sngl" antcipa ton.
There was no anticipation Of the Wright
invention and no fight made with a
heavier than-air machine anticipating that
of the Wrishts. No one flew before the
Wrights."
Wilbur Wright who mad. the first flight
In the history Of the world In a heavier
than-air machine at Kitty Hawk. y. G..
on December Il. 1903. was taken III at
Dayton on MAY 1. 1872. and died oil MAY
30. lie had borne the chief burden of
the exacting litigation. cooperating with
H. \. Toulmin, chief counsel Of the Wright
company. who not only drafted the Wright
brothers patents. but also has had direct
supervision Of all their patent suits
At the time Of the funeral Of Mr. Wright
his sister. Miss katherine Wright stated
that the nssiduous attention Wilbur had
given 20 the patent litigation and the ex-
acting demands it made on his strength
had undermined his health and been re-
sponsiblc for his death. She added that
the family did not purpose to permit
Orville Wright 10 assume such burdens
In the same degree.