The suggestions which follow partake more of the nature of clerical detail.

Applicants involved in interference should not be compelled to print testimony or briefs. They should be typed on short sheets and secured together book-fashion.

On reissue applications applicants should be permitted to use the original drawings.

During prosecution, pending files should be arranged with all papers in one stack, chronologically, or office papers should be in one pile and applicant's papers in another. At present in some divisions the papers are arranged in a manner that is convenient for no one except the printer.

Pending drawings should be secured together at the bottom, instead of at the top.

Interviews with attorneys and applicants and with examiners from other divisions should be limited to restricted hours. Efficient work is almost impossible with perpetual interruptions which now occur.

Ten minutes rest intervals should be provided in the middle of the forenoon and middle of the afternoon.

With respect to personnel, it is of the greatest importance that promotions be made according to some understood plan.

Annex.

Amend R. S. Sec. 4894 by adding thereto the following sentence: Upon all applications filed during the years 1925 to 1929, inclusive the period to prosecute, as hereinbefore provided, shall be nine months; and upon all applications filed during 1930 to 1934 inclusive said period shall be six months; and upon all applications thereafter filed the period of prosecution shall be three months, except that any of said periods may be extended by the commissioner, upon a verified showing of reasons deemed by him to be sufficient, for an additional period or periods, not to exceed in the total three months.

PATENT OFFICE HISTORY.

The reference in the October Journal to proposed widening of F and G streets adjacent the Patent Office, recalls that we are to have another change added to the many alterations to which the site of the building has been subjected.

The reservation embracing two city blocks was originally designed by Major L'Enfant, and approved by President Washington, as the site for a pantheon where national religious, funeral and memorial services were to be held, but of a non-sectarian nature.

The site was orginally a hill of considerable prominence, and on the west side a stream flowed from Franklin Park, about one hundred feet beyond the west building line of Ninth street. At the south foot of the hill between D and E streets, ran Ferry Road, a famous highway that connected Georgetown with lower Maryland and Annapolis, and skirted Tiber Creek.

The earliest record of Washington history, tell of the location of brick makers on the site and up to the time the Patent Office was begun in 1840, they no doubt removed a great quantity of clay to build the older section of town and make the side walks. About 1840, the municipality graded F street according to Chronicler Sessford, and the grade of the site was probably reduced to that of the present court yard.

For a great many years after the city was laid out, F street had been the principal thoroughfare between the Capitol and the Executive Mansion, and consequently the street was built up at an early date. The small stream above mentioned was walled up and became a great inducement for the householder to locate where there was good water for some sixty years before the Potomac system with water mains arrived.

During the era of improvements, 1870-1873, the vicinity of 7th and F streets was again graded some eight or ten feet, necessitating the extension of the steps on the east side of the Patent Office, and the building of the

portico with side steps on the F street front. This grading altered the ground floor rooms of old Federal Building at the southeast corner of 7th and F streets, the LeDroit Building that had just been completed, the old Post Office department and 601 Seventh street. Evidence of this grading and the earlier grading will also be seen at 516 Eighth street built perhaps before 1840.

When the Patent Office was begun shortly after 1840, the city in this neighborhood was very closely built up with the exception of the block directly to the west and northwest. On the block directly in front between 7th and 8th streets had been located Blodgetts Hotel fronting on E street, and in which the Patent Office had originated and had been not only a hotel but theatre also, and had been designed to house congress after the burning of the Capitol in 1814.

As an evidence of the size of the population surrounding the Patent Office at an early date, it may be noted that there were nearly a dozen churches within a stones throw of the building, but nearly all of them have been moved up town.

Besides the brickmakers on the original site, there was the usual collection of squatters, and also some market gardens, but these were moved off gradually as the edifice was twenty five years being built.

JAMES F. DUHAMEL.

ABUSING THE RIGHT OF CHANGING ATTORNEYS.

By Charles L. Wright.

Probably every patent Attorney has at times had his Power of Attorney revoked, with or without reason, and without any cause being assigned.

This is the rule of practice and any applicant, or assignee of the entire interest in an invention can take such action. See Rule 20.

Probably no self-respecting attorney would care to

continue as attorney in case of serious disagreement or expressed dissatisfaction.

Objection is made however to being dismissed peremptorially, when no grounds exist, upon the mere whim of an inventor and more particularly if the case has been but partially paid for.

This is not an inference favorable to contingent fee or deferred payment plans, but most Patent Attorneys find it necessary at times to extend a limited credit and not infrequently find that even courteous attempts to make collections lead to revoking their power to prosecute the case and hence the probability of payment by the client for services rendered.

It is thought not unreasonable to suggest that before a change is permitted to be made by the Commissioner in attorneys, that the applicant be required to adduce a reason for recalling a Power of Attorney and that the attorney of record be requested to state his objections, if any, before such revocation is permitted.

The time taken and expense involved appear to be negligible in view of the benefits to the attorney, the applicant and the Patent Office, as such rule would have the effect of discouraging the abuse of a privilege and bring to light matters of which the Patent Office might well take cognizance in many cases.

A COMMUNICATION.

THE MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK

Hon. Thomas E. Robertson,

November 28, 1925.

Commissioner of Patents,

Patent Office Building,

Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Permit me to convey to you the commendation of The Merchants' Association of New York upon the improve

ment in the situation surrounding the examination and registration of patents as indicated in the recent report submitted by you to Secretary Hoover.

It is with much pleasure that we note that the length of time required to pass upon new patents averages to be three months instead of five months as was true in preceding years.

We are sure that the many business organizations in the United States having to do with the operations of the Patent Office will be pleased at this marked improvement.

Yours sincerely,

S. C. MEAD.

Secretary.

TRADE-MARKS PARLEY ENDS.

Conference on Protection of International Property Helps Toward Good Will.

By Special Cable.

THE HAGUE, Nov. 6-The International Conference for the Protection of Industrial Property successfully completed its labors this afternoon when the delegates of 39 nations, including the United States, signed a protocol for the revision of the Convention of Paris of March 20, 1883, and revised in Washington in 1911. Important changes and additions have been brought about for placing the convention on a reciprocal basis as far as this is possible in regard to existing variances of national legislations.

While the ultimate aims have not yet been accomplished altogether, The Hague revision has accomplished this, that the laws of many countries regarding inventions and