COMMITTEE ON PATENTS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., December 17, 1913. The committee met at 10 o'clock a. m. Present: Representatives Oldfield (chairman), Morrison, Clark, Callaway, Metz, Hill, Oglesby, Moss, Kreider, Lindquist, and Nolan. Present also: Hon. Julius Kahn, M. C., and Hon Robert J. Bulkley, M. C.; Hon. Thomas Ewing, Commissioner of Patents; Hon. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress; Prof. Thorvald Solberg, Register of Copyrights; Mr. Edwin N. Borchard, Assistant Solicitor, Department of State: and Messrs. E. W. Bradford, Walter F. Rogers, Horace Pettit, and Alfred Wilkinson, attorneys. The committee thereupon proceeded to the consideration of H. R. 10310. The CHAIRMAN. We lack one member of having a quorum, but as this testimony is to be taken down I think we may as well proceed, for the reason that it seems there are several here to be heard, and we want to give them a fair hearing in such time as we can afford. The hearing this morning is on H. R. 10310, a bill introduced by Mr. Bulkley on December 11, 1913, which seeks to amend what is known as the Kahn Act. I think the State Department has a representative here. I understood that Mr. Bryan was to be here in person; in fact, he told me yesterday afternoon that he would be here, but at the same time he said he had an engagement before the Foreign Affairs Committee at 10.30 this morning. We will hear the representative of the State Department. STATEMENT OF MR. EDWIN N. BORCHARD, ASSISTANT SOLICITOR, DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Mr. BORCHARD. Mr. Chairman, I am authorized by the State Department to state the view that there would be more harm done by amending this act than by allowing it to stand, and that therefore, after considering the views of foreign Governments, they must oppose any change of the original act. I have here a letter from the French ambassador which perhaps is typical of the objections that foreign Governments would raise to the amendment of the original act, and if it is of any interest to any of the members of the committee. I shall be glad to read it in whole or in part or incorporate it in the record. I have had a copy of it made. |