The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1943-02-05
By RAY TUCkER

NASHINGToN-Alien Proper
~ Custodian Leo T Cowley has
flung a challenge in the face Of
small industry by his decision to
make seized German patents
available without royalties 10 all
He may also strike a
blow at Thurman Arnold's anti
trust crusade in so far as il rests
on the charge that monopolies de-
rive their power from unchal-
lenged control Of fundamental in
ventions.
This country now owns APP
proximately fifty thousand for
eisn letters They furnish
technical data on producing
everything from amusement de-
vices To railroad rolling stock. In
view of the scandals attending
the First World War disposition
of confiscated rights, President
Roosevelt and Mr.. Crowley are
determined to throw current
privileges open to domestic taxi
ers without cost. All they have
to do is walk in and take their
pick.
Much has been said in the
press and on Capitol Hill" re-
marked Mr.. Crowley, "about
aid to small businessmen. In
placing these patents within
reach we offer these manufac-
turers a chance on a noneXclu-
sive basis to own and develop
them. II will he very interest
ing TO see If they are progress
sive enough to take advantage
of this opportunity, or whether
they will let these riches drift
TO large corporations with
vast research staffs."
If the little fellows.s up and
profit from these bargains, Mr.
Crowley believes that Mr.. Ar
nolds attacks on Senator Bones
demand for revision of the law
governing this subject will fall
for lack of weight.
Many minor factory heads thus
put to the test retort that they
haven't the funds to underwrlte
such ventures. Even if they had,
they could not obtain materials
and machinery priorities. But
the custodian points out that he
looks forward to commercial pos
sibilities after the war, not now.
Mr. Crowley's explanation Of
his programs Interior signifi-
canoe was precipitated by his
distribution of one of the most
attractive documents ever passed
around by a government agency.
Critics condemned the brochure
as final proof of indictments that
the New Deal wastes taxpayers
money on fancy blurbs.
The gradiose pamphlet is en-
titled Patents at Work" and
il looks like a first folio OF
Shakespeare rather than a
federal production. II is set in
large Baskerville type, which
experts regard as the Tiffany
of the publishing field. Only
two firms do this sort of mag
nificent work and both are
located in New York. Those
who protest inquire why an
inexpensive and informative
booklet containing the same
material could not have been
run off by the government
printing office.
Incidentally the catalogue ar
rived in newspaper offices sim
ultaneously with the order re-
ducing their allotment of white
paper by ten per cent. 1t also
conceded with Senator Byrd S
charge that altogether too much
money was being frittered away
unnecessarily.
Note: Total outlay was sixty
five hundred dollars for fifty
thousand copies.
In his summary dismissal Of
Gardner Jackson. Claude r
Wickard has ended the intolerable
dissension which has famed
within the Department of Agri'
culture for a decade. Henry A
Wallace endured 1t because he
usually preferred to dream rath'
er than administer. His success
sor looked the other way unit
the feud threatened fun output
Of food in the world crisis.
Mr.. Jackson, who headed tbs
Sacco-Vanzetti defense and cham.
pioned John L. Lewis. Harvard
scrubwomen and Southern ten.
ant farmers, is only a symbol
Real front Of the radical factor
is Under-Secretary Paul Apple.
BY. who hopes 10 land Nj. Wallace
in the White house some day.
The group was always nor,
fascinated by the prospect O.
social and economic reform thar
by a practical method 10 sdvanc,
the nations growers. In the pres
ent instance they contend that
Mr.. Wickard has sold out share
troopers IN favor Of Dig agricul
tural companies. although II,
secretary emphasized the i'm
portance Of small producers Il
his annual report.