The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1943-02-23
b. ALBERT LEMAN

By ALBERT LfMAN
NEY YORk-Although the de-
cision passed unnoticed by the
general public. corporation execu-
tives in New York are in a cold
sweat because Of a recent supreme
court verdict which they warn.
knocks the props from under nine
out q ten patents and in the post
war recovery period may preeipi-
tate economic chsos. Already the
decree has given certain business
hsiters IN the District OF Columbia
. sword OF Dsmocies 70 suspend
over the head Of industry.
Justice Douglas delivered An
opinion thai an original DE-
vice must reveal the flash OF
creative genius" IL IL IL 10 re-
eeiye official monopoly priv
leges, ossriurning principle
SET forth b Justice Story
century ago. Whitney, Morse,
Bell and Edison toiled alone
and their inventions were their
own brain children.
But nearly all complicated
modern productions arr the
result Of trial and error by
many specialists. Management
fears thai should the tribunals
definition be rigidiy applied By
lower benches most OF the re-
cent discoveries OF research
would be ruled out.
Some Of the greatest benefits of
our age would be affected. Synthe-
tic rubber came about when
scientists fashioned large mole
Guile High octane gas was de-
yeloped by scores Of experts.
Twenty years of expensive labo-
ratory work finally obtained vita
min Ri. Artificial silk and other
man made textiles were fabricated
by hundreds of clever fingers. The
new science Of electronics. with its
magic tubes which weld metals
and detect two million different
shades, is the product of mass
creation.
Businessmen here express ths
following opinions:
The ukase not only will deprive
big companies Of financial gains
but also will hit the working class.
Industrialists had counted on the
effect of research as a means OF
meeting the postbellum eompet-
ton OF cheap labor countries.
Many techniques and substances
developed for war purposes can
not be converted to peaceful pur-
suits until additional tests and al
terations have been made. Firms
will not be inclined to spend for
tunes on experimentation If their
discoveries can be snatched by
rival concerns.
More mysteries are added to the
North African puzzle-thanks To
erratic censorship already a blur
Of question marks. Dwight ID.
Eisenhower has been MADE q full
general. Prior to his elevation sew
eral battling moves took place
which bewilder certain inquisitive
members of our officer class. For
example.
When the second front idea
was preached the Sandhurst
faction of the British army
clamored for unified COM
mand, taking for granted that
some distinguished English
leader like Wavell, Cort, Alex
ander or Montgomery would
he appointed. But the AEF
landed In Morocco with the
eompa unknown
Eisenhower as chief.
Talk died down although it was
pointed out that he had never
served under fire and in the last
war had won his reputation as q
good organizer without going over
seas. The Darlan deal revived the
issue, this time from labor party
elements. When the going got
tough in Tunisia. proposals for a
British generalissimo melted away
and Churchill at Cssab Ian
handed supreme command on a
platter to the American.
This probably was gesture OF
workmanship. But N iii tary
Doubling Thomases find a fly IN
the ointment. Il was foreseeao bic
that Rommel would stage not a
Dunkirk but another bloody Sevas-
topol IN which ne would tear ms
attackers limb from hmb before
finally being driven into the sea.
Or he might even break through,
charging the Sidi bou Zid salient
Continued From Editorial Page)
and raising havoc IN the French
and English supporting lines. In
which case the London Narwlcks
would be IN a position TO chide.
Eisenhower asked for II, ne got
il. see what he's done"
The presence Of United States
troops is deeply appreciated by the
residents down under but the
various requirements Of our con