The Washington herald., 1921-03-27
QUICK aid NEEDED
TO AVERT CRISIS
In PATENT OFFICE
Industry Beginning to
Feel Tie-Up; Presi-
dent May Act.

The Patent ONCE situation may be
taken up with President Harding
and his Cabinet as a crisis demand
ing immediate relief.
CONGESTION of business continues
70 Increase. with upward Of 10000
spplications for patent Sapers
wanting the services of expert re-
corders. and an Oficial of the Patent
Once said yesterday that Industrial
progress in the United States and
foreign trade are beginning to feel
he hindrance nf this tie-up.
Relief Is promised as soon as Con-
yress reconvenes and passes the new
crease OF nearly no employees and
higher salaries 20 attract mere eA-
perfenced workers and retain the
more expert employees now in the
Patent Office, but this will require
probably more than "a month. and
Turing that long Fait the jam Of
work win become much more grew
BUS. 1t Is explained o..
Senators Cooperate.
Senator Reed Smoot, of Utah.
Francis E. Warren. of Wyoming.
and others whose objection to Sec
lion Of the Patent ONCE bill which
SAVE NhC CuGTdl due
he power to issue patent rights to
employees and former employees Of
he government prevented passage
ofthe bill in February. are said to
be cooperating with other members
sf the Senate. including Senators
George W. Norris, of Nebraska,
chairman of the Patents Committee.
n the effort to head the new legis-
lattve program with the Patent Ct
ice emergency.
Announcement was made a week
igo4that the old bill probably would
be introduced without Section .,
which has been referred to as the
Joker" II has been admitted that
this clause. which was a Senate
amendment. would precipitate a
iactional fight IL 1t is allowed to
remain in the bill when it comes up
again ~
Swells Treasury Fund. saF
Senator Norris. who will reIin-
luish the Patents Committee chair
nanship to Senator Brandegee. of
Connecticut and become chairman
pf the agricultural committee, said
recently he would turn over to the
new committee all the information
ne had acquired upon the subject
and assist personally as far as POS
sio3e in the preparation OF a bill
that will pass, recalling that he
nrged the Senate Tn the last hours
,f the old session not to LET the on
oortnnity pass of providing more
money for the Patent Once.
More than 100000 surplus an
nu1lIv fQ n
states TreasuTr by the Patent once
ard the appropriations which were
to-have been provided by the Ill
tated bill last Fenruarv amounted
10 very small figure compared
Ffth this sum. 1t was pointed out
Yesterday that II the appropriations
ire allowed a still .arser surplus
AN oe tur1rd into the government
treasury.
Is Self-Sustaininr,
The Patent ONCE is more than
seif-sustaining." declared an at
torney Of the patent bar yesterday.
inventors and manufacturers all
over the country have asked the
government to give 1t more of the
money IL earns and a greater chance
TO grow. They pay the bill and
tney should be needed by the gov
srnmenI. 1t means so much to the
country commercially as we'll as IN
dustrially, that it should receive
greater attention. Its neglect is
nothing less than tragical."
The long list of applicants for ap-
pofntment as patent commissioner
10 MI the place of Robert F. white
mead, which Secretary of Interf Dr.
FAN says are coming in from many
outside cities as well as Washing
ION. where most of the patent prac-
,iionerS and former officials of the
onlce reside. is an indication of the
warmest rivalry and the difieulty
he President will face in making
lis election 1t is understood the
ippointrent will be made with; a
Few weeks and the Senate will .o5e
no time in confirming the Whit,
House nominee
Coulston Proves Emcient.
Secretary Fall stated that while
Il shall be his duty to recommend
name. the real selection will he
made by President Harding a I'd he
was unaware of any favoritism In
the matter. He said he was sppe
the President would consi1,r the
rs. carefully, because of the gro ~
ing Importance of the Patent Office
s functionary of the government.
The suggestion that the situation
oe laid before the President as de
handing immediate attention came
rom lcN sources. where inventors
ana manufacturers. who pr.ssn
congress In vain for relief at tae
PREVIOUS session. are showing IN
lsuai perturbation over the tangle-
nent Of their affairs at the Patent
ofice.
Melvin II. Coulton. who was
drst assistant commissioner under
whitehead. Is the acting commits
stoner pending confirmation of
Whitehead's successor With the
mail force and the meager payroll
AZ his command he Is said to have
Kept the wheels of the Patent or