Mr. Joseph F. Gulick, an assistant examiner appointed November 4, 1921, from Virginia, resigned January 31, 1927. Mr. Gulick, who is a graduate of Richmond College with the degree of B. A., and of the University of Chicago with the degree of M. A., had been examining Class 103 and Class 230, Pumps, in Division 9. He is leaving to go with Mr. W. E. Bradford, of this City.

Mr. Charles Shepard, 2nd, an assistant examiner in Division 23, resigned February 28, 1927. Mr. Shepard was appointed August 28, 1922, from Washington, and had been examining Class 235, Combined Typewriting and Computing Machines, and Class 133, Coin Handling. He is a graduate with the degree of Civil Engineer from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Tray, N. Y., and the degree of LL.B. from George Washington University. He is also a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia.

Mr. Carl F. Geppert, a junior examiner in Division 25, resigned February 28, 1927. Mr. Geppert was appointed May 1, 1924, from Ohio, and had been examining Class 193, Gas Separators. He is a graduate from the Dayton University of Ohio with the degree of E. E., and it is understood that he is going with Parkinson and Lane, of Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Howard Somervell, an assistant patent examiner in Division 34, resigned March 15, 1927. Mr. Somervill had been examining Class 105, Railway Rolling Stock. He was appointed Sept. 1, 1923, from the District of Columbia. He is a graduate of the Webb Institute of New York City, and George Washington University, and it is understood that he is going with Wilkinson, Huxley, Byron and Knight, of Chicago, Ill.

Journal

OF THE

Patent Office Society

Published monthly by the Patent Office Society. Office of Publication 3387 Stuyvesant Place, N. W., Washington. D. C Subscription $2.50 a year Single copy 25 cents

M. L. Whitney, Business Manager (Room 180, U. S. Patent Office.) 3319 Stuyvesant Place, Washington, D. C.

N. E. Eccleston, Circulation.

Entered as second class matter, September 17, 1918, at the post office at Washington, D. C., under the act of March 3, 1879.

Publication of signed articles in this journal is not to be understood as an adoption by the Patent Office Society of the views expressed therein. The editors are glad to have pertinent articles submitted.

VOL. IX

MAY, 1927

No. 9

THE FORUM IDEA

There appeared in the March number of the JOURNAL an article entitled "Design Patentability" which deserves comment. It was frankly a criticism of the Patent Office, although both genial and courteous. More than this it was constructive, which is the only purpose and justification for criticism of any sort. In countries whose governments are based on the divine-right-ofkings theory, criticism of the government is seldom encouraged, but more usually suppressed. With republies, proper criticism is not only tolerated but is a source of great strength if moderate and constructive. In

spite of the proverbial thin-skin-ness of government officials a broad minded attitude should welcome such helpful views as the article in point developed.

The JOURNAL, as the organ of the Patent Office Society, is equally committed to the Society's object-"to further the industrial development of the United States in so far as the patent system is a factor thereof, to promote and foster a true appreciation of the American Patent system It welcomes an opportunity to give space to those who have a helpful word in line with the above recited objects, whether it be a constructive criticism of what is, or a proposal to create that which is not. It is believed that the JOURNAL should serve even more in the future than in the past as a forum for the exchange of views upon new problems as they arise, whether they relate to questions of policy involving the patent system, or as to questions of law or practice or administration.

To that end, papers could be presented for the unseen audience of the Examining Corps and the patent profession without being regarded as having official sanction or as representing the views of the profession as a whole, but being understood as the expression of the contributor appending his name thereto. This plan finds a parallel in the meetings and discussions of the various engineering, scientific and chemical societies. It may not be too much to visualize for the near future an annual banquet as a more effective means of contact. Meanwhile, those within the Office and those who have contact with it are invited to submit articles on any subjects having a bearing on the Society's objects, for it is only by that kind of cooperation that another hand at the JOURNAL helm may hope to keep its course directed to perform its part in attaining that improved patent system which the Patent Office Society has set as its goal.