Evening star., 1942-02-01

NOW C0aC IL has DoeIl ucllIlltCS Oc-
cided to move large part of the
employees of the Patent ONCE to Rich
mond, 1t might be interesting to learn
something Of this bureaus early homes
in Washington, when, at least 100 years
ago 1t would have made very little diff
ference If the entire force were to be
moved elsewhere.
This particular branch of the Govern
ment had its inception in the Constitu-
ton Of the United States, where, in Sec
tion of article l. III enumerating the
powers delegated to the Congress, we
find this clause: ITO promote the
Progress of Science and Useful Arts, by
securing for limited Times to Authors
and Inventors the exclusive Right to
their respective Writings and Discov-
cries"
From the first this ONCE began to
function under q commission composed
Of the Secretary of State, the Secretary
OF War and the Attorney General, in
accordance With the act OF April 10. 1870.
At this time Congress was meeting in
New York City, and it was here that the
first patent was issued to Samuel Hop
kins on July 81 of that same year, for
making pot or pearl ashes" The inven-
tors home address is not given.
At least from 1890 to 1902, the entire
work of this Office was performed by
single clerk in the State Department,
and, we are told "all the records did not
fill over a dozen pigeonholes." Says
George w. Evans, in the records of the
Columbia Historical Society.
mo organization of a Patent Bureau
occurred until May, 1902, when President
Jefferson appointed DR.. William Thorn
ton, a scientist and friend of George
Washington. to have charge of the
issuance Of patents. For 26 years DR..
Thornton exercised an autocratic con-
troll of the affairs of the Patent ONCE.
He used his powers of discretion to
an extent that would undoubtedly be
much condemned at the present state of
our national progress. From such in
ventors as could afford to pay, he exacted
the Government fees, but when he found
that the inventor was poor in pocket
he remitted the fees, boldly asserting
that the patent law was made solely
for the encouragement of authors and
inventors, and not to collect revenue
although upon his death an investi-
CATION of his office showed a decided
deficit between the amount which actu-
ally was and that which should have
been to the credit of the Office in the
Treasury. there does not appear to have
been any suspicion of personal dis
honesty on the part of DR.. Thornton,
but was merely chargeable to his gen.
erosity and leniency toward the in
ventors. He took great interest in the
Office. making it practically his life
work. His salary was 81 400 nowadays
considered as moderate sized clerks
salary, but undoubtedly large one in
those days. His single clerk drew $500
per year. and his messenger was on the
pay roll for $72 annually. This was his
office force. DR.. William Thornton con-
tinued in ONCE until the date of his
death in 1929
DR.. Thornton, as is well known, was the
original designer of the Capitol
When the Government was moved
from Philadelphia to Washington in
June, 1900, the State Department, with
its eight employees, was at first crowded
into the building erected for the Treas
ury Department. However, by August 81,
1t is said to have been moved into one
Of the six Buildings" PLOT to 2117
Pennsylvania avenue. If it did, and it is
doubtful, it naturally carried the Patent
Once with it. But more definitely, the
Patent ONCE was located at 1901 Penn
sylvania avenue in 1900, where the De-
partment of State was then located.
Small Village Then.
At the time the Department of State
moved to this corner there were only
1863 houses in this city, including 100
brick and 253 frame. and the building of
the War Department structure had
hardly begun. The number of depart
ment employees was then almost unbe-
hevably small. The State Department
had clerks, Treasury Department,
IS; War Department, II; Navy Depart
ment, 16. and Post Office Department.
10. The census of the city included
1892 whites, 629 slaves and 123 free COL
ored. Georgetown had just little fewer,
or 1898 in ALL
West and north of the White House
was then quite rural and included much
woodland, and only few years before
a race course crossed Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. about between Seventeenth and
Twentieth streets, while there were still
the remains of an old cemetery in the
northwest corner of Lafayette Square.
The rapid increase in the number of
inventions early led Congress to make
special provisions for the accommoda-
tion Of the Patent Office. In 1910 the
erection or purchase of a suitable build
ing for the use of the General Post
ONCE and keeper of the patents and
arrangements of the models was author
lied. Under this authority a structure
known as Blodgett's Hotel, on the E
street side of the present site of the
General Post Office, was secured. Up
to 1920 all applications for patents were
examined by clerk in the office of the
Secretary OF State. In that year DR..
Thornton, appointed by President Jeffer-
son to issue patents. took upon himself
the title of superintendent of the Patent
ONCE.
Made Separate Bureau.
Under the act of July 4, 1886, the Pat
ent Office was created separate bureau
in the Department of the Interior, and