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THE
MUSIC TRADE
an evidence of weakness on our part, but here is a letter which
refers to a subject close to us. A well-known Southern dealer
says: "I respect your policy in keeping" out from your columns the
personal and private affairs of the men connected with the music
trade.
"I think you are right in doing this and it is refreshing to open
one paper which is entirely free from scandal."
We leave entirely to the daily papers to serve up sensational
reports concerning the personal affairs of men connected with the
music trade.
Intrigues and scandals have no place in our columns and the
soiled linen of the divorce courts will not be washed in the presence
of Review readers.
Another subscriber, H. S. Ackerman, Greensburg, Pa., says:
"I admire The Review for its fairness in dealing with the dif-
ferent concerns.
"Your editorials are written giving an honest expression and
any person can be benefited by reading them carefully/'
Now, such things as we have instanced above show that the
trade paper which endeavors to build up rather than tear down
exercises a strength which a venal, corrupt and sensational sheet
could never hope to win.
M
EMI5ERS of the music trade are naturally interested in legis-
lation which affects the status of patents.
It is generally admitted that our patent system is inadequate to
the needs of the present day and that the mere granting of a patent
is the open door to expensive litigation.
It is natural that Congress should consider legislation looking
to the creation of a United States Patent Court of Appeals.
Members of the American Bar Association and of the Wash-
ington and Chicago Bar Associations recently appeared before the
Senate Committee on Patents urging the immediate passage of a
bill authorizing such a court.
In the support of the plea for the creation of a United States
Patent Court it is argued by the advocates of such an institution
that the present court procedure for infringements of patents is so
constituted that it can be made, and very *,often is, exceedingly
burdensome and costly to the complainant seeking redress.
It is explained that the owner of a patent believing it to be
infringed must sue the offender in the United States Circuit Court
for the district in which the infringement took place, or where the
infringer was apprehended. If the complainant wins the action the
respondent may take an appeal to the United States Circuit Court
of Appeals for that Federal District. If the complainant wins
again, the infringer may, and often does, set up in business in
another Federal Circuit.
The complainant must then sue again in the Circuit Court for
that district, and, in all probability, carry his case upward to the
Circuit Court of Appeals as before.
The infringer may even then move again.
It might be necessary, the argument further states, for the
owner of an infringed patent to sue out in each of the nine different
Federal Circuits.
This situation, it is held, is far from satisfactory and is de-
cidedly unfair to the holder of an infringed patent.
The plan is to establish a new court, to be known as the Patent
Court of the United States, and to become not only the place of
appeal from the Federal Circuit Courts, but a court of final juris-
diction—save in the rare cases where, as now, appeal will lie to the
Supreme Court.
The probability is that the Currier I>ill, which provides for the
establishment of this new Patent Court, will be favorably reported
to the House.
While members of the Judiciary Committee who are consider-
ing this question would not discuss wdiat action may be taken, the
opinion generally held is that there will be no opposition to the bill.
Apparently every effort is to be made to get the bill through
the House within the next few weeks.
Since the advent of mechanism by which pianos may be
operated mechanically in the production of music there has been
a large crop of lawsuits.
Lawyers have fattened on the conditions which have existed
and there has been a constant struggle to maintain alleged rights.
It would indeed be a happy time in this country when tho
REVIEW
granting of a patent meant something more than the date upon
which time a legal battle might be commenced.
IN LIGHTER VEIN
MAN'S WAY.—When a man looks back and sees that temptation is
no longer pursuing him, he turns around and begins to pursue it.
"Papa, what is the person called who brings you in contact with the
spirit world?"
"A barmaid, my son."
A LIKELY IDEA.—Our idea of a great financier is a man who
worries more about the price of call money than he does about the price
of pork chops.—Ohio State Journal.
FOREWARNED.—"How is the water in the bath, Lizette?"
"Cold, my lady. It turned baby fairly blue."
"Then don't put Fido in for an hour or so."
WANTED TOO MUCH.—She—Why, when 1 first married you you
-aid that 1 could have everything that my heart could desire.
He—I never dreamed you had such a big heart.
SUITS HIM.—Yeast—How have you been enjoying your meals since
your wife has been doing the cooking.
Crimsonsteak—Fine! I get 'em all at the club, now!
EVER FAITHFUL.—"He's always wanting to borrow money from
me."
"A fair-weather friend merely?"
"Oh, no. He has also borrowed several umbrellas."
FRAGMENTARY.—"The dress Mrs. Style wore at the opera was a
perfect poem," said Mrs. Howard.
"As far as it went, no doubt," replied her husband, "but I thought
some cantos were missing."
POWER OF WEALTH.—The ultimate test of the real efficiency of
a rich man is to be able to get his divorce without due publicity and
attendant scandal, except in those few cases where they rather enjoy the
new sensation of notariety, a phase which is really pathological.—Life.
MARCH OF PROGRESS.—"Whither away?"
"Going to serenade a girl."
"Can you sing?"
"Nope; going to do it with a talking machine."
SERIOUS CONFUSION.—"It's a great help to be able to size up the
men you come in contact with," said a business man to his son; "but it
is more important still that you should first know yourself.
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING.—"With all the city employees work-
ing from 9 to 5," says the New York World, "it's ten to one it's going to
cost less to run the city."
Unless things municipal are at sixes and sevens.
They were spending a week in London on their bridal tour, and were
out one day looking at the monument.
"There is nothing so high in this city as this, is there, love?" she
asked, with bridelike confidence.
"Yes, darling," he replied, "there is."
"Why, love, I didn't know it. What is it? Take me to see it, won't
you?"
"Yes, darling. It is the price of board and lodging, and you may
see it when I get the bill."
CHANGED HIS MIND.—"Come up and see us to-night, old man."
"All right, I'll be glad to."
"Our daughter is studying music"—
"By jingo! I have just remembered an engagement. I am sorry,
but I cannot possibly come."
"Pshaw! As I was about to say, our daughter is studying music in
Germany and we get a little bit lonesome."
"I'll cut out the engagement and come any how."
"For instance, a noisy lot rolled out of their flub late one night and
up the street. They stopped in front of an imposing residence. After
considerable discussion, one of them advanced and pounded on the door.
A woman stuck her head out of a second-story window and demanded
none too sweetly:
" 'What do you want?'
" 'Ish this the residence of Mr. Shmith?' inquired the man on the
steps, with an elaborate bow.
" 'It is. What do you want?'
" 'Is it possible that I have the honor of shpeaking to Misshus
Shmith?'
" 'Yes. What do you want?'
" 'Good. Misshus Shmith, will you—hie—come down an' pick out
Mr. Shmith? The rest of us want to go home!'"