New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-08
Inventor to Sue
Aircraft Combine
That Ignored Him
Against Association Urged
by Washington
Work

Albert S. Janin, formerly carpenter,
Of Rosebank, Staten Island, who says
that he Is the inventor OF, the flying
boat, is about to bring suit against the
newly formed Manufacturers Aircraft
Association for infringement Of his
patent rights to the hydro-aeroplane.
This was announced yesterday by his
attorney. Thomas A. Hill.
Mr.. Janin has already fought three
legal battle against Glenn II. Curtiss
for alleged violation Of these same pat
ent rights. According to his attorney,
the Court of Appeals of the District OF
Columbia decided in June, 1915, that
the carpenter-inventor was the origlna-
tor Of the dro-aeroplane.
Will Pay Big Royalties
The Manufacturers Aircraft Associa-
ton was hailed on formation as the
end Of all patent wars between aircraft
makers" In it ell those manufacturers
who have contributed TO the advance OF
the heavier than-air machine nave
pooled their patents-all except Mr.
Janin, that is. The one great company
will pay the holders of the various pat
ents royalties commensurate with the
value of their inventions. The Wright
and Curtiss interests will draw down
the heaviest royalties.
Mr.. Janin, his lawyer says, objects
most strenuously to being left out OF
this combine, and will at once take
steps against 1t. His first attack will
be directed against Glenn H. Curtiss.
This combination purports to be or
ganized in the interests Of patriotism"
Mr.. Hill said yesterday, "but it looks to
me as if they were organizing TO help
each other out of the biggest fight OF
their lives, which is coming this fall.
"Our first suit will be against Glenn
II. Curtiss, because he will be such an
easy victim with the decision OF the
Court of Appeals already against him.
We shall sue him on fifty counts and
when we get through with him we shall
probably 90 after the other companies.
Every concern making hydro-ae
planes to-day uses our Fundamental
idea-the central boat structure and the
side floats.
Not to Tie Up Factories
According to the announcement OF
the Manufacturers Aircraft Associa-
ton, Wright is to get Sl36 on every
aeroplane sold. | don't see why we
shouldn't get as much. We shall not,
of course, insist upon an injunction
against the Curtiss factories, for that
would interfere with preparations for
the war. We shall be willing to &C
cept bonds instead of an injunction"
Mr.. Hill then related the history OF
Albert S. Janin and his flying boat.
Tho man, he said, experimental with
this craft while supporting his wlfe
and seven children on his wages as
carpenter. In 1910 he perfected his
machine. and on January rs, 1911 ap.
piled for a patent On August 2Z-oi
the same year Curtiss applied for his.
The suit which Janin then brought
lasted four years. The frst decision
went to the former carpenter, but IL
was reversed on appeal. Later the
Court of Appeals Of the District OF Co
lumbia confirmed the findings OF the
first trial.
Refused $500, 900 Offer
In the meantime, Mr. Hill says, Janin
was offered 100000 by a Washington
syndicate for his claims, but he turned
this down.
The Manufacturers Aircraft Associa-
ton was formed following conferences
with the National Advisory Committee.
en- Aeronautics The Secretaries OF
War and the Navy both urged it as
the best method of facilitating the
building of aircraft for the war. Its
establishment wiped out the bitter war
which had been waged between the
Wright and Curtiss interests.