47 



directly or with the aid of assistauts these investigations have resulted in some im- 

 portant discoveries of universal application, and I can saj'^ with pride that, though 

 often urged to take personal advantage of such discoveries, I have in no single in- 

 stance accepted a fee for information given, or received a dollar from any application 

 of these discoveries, even where others have reaped fortunes. As a salaried officer my 

 duty was plain, and I make the statement, without hoastfulnoss aud simply to em- 

 phasize the discouraging fact, that in every instance where the benefit to the public 

 has been great, either the honor has been contested by private parties or else means 

 have been taken by private individuals to control, through patent or otherwise, the 

 discoveries for their personal euds. 



It would seem that on tbis accouut the Patent OflQce shouhl endeavor, 

 in considering applications for patents for objects which the Govern- 

 ment is already endeavoring to accomplish, to ascertain luUy what the 

 Government has done, as any other course will tend to pervert, dis- 

 courage, and neutralize all honest efforts made by other Departments of 

 the Government for the public good. It would seem, also, that there 

 is need of some modification of the law in so far as Government evi- 

 dence is concerned. 



Mr. B. P. Mann said that no patent can be held valid unless held by 

 the inventor. The Government ought to get out a patent on the broad 

 invention, and it could then prevent the present holders of the patent 

 from using it. 



Mr. Riley and Mr. Mann further discussed the subject. 



The president announced that a reception, to which all were invited, 

 would be held at Mr. Riley's residence, Sunbury, Wyoming avenue, at 

 7 o'clock this evening. 



The meeting then adjourned. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p. m. by President Fletcher. 

 Twenty -eight persons were present. The minutes of the preceding ses- 

 sion were read and approved. The committee on nominations reported 

 the following nominations for the ensuing year : 



For president, J. A. Lintner, of New York. 



For first vice-president, S. A. Forbes, of Illinois. 



For second vice-president, J. II. Comstock, of New York. 



For secretary, F. M. Webster, of Ohio. 

 On motion, the report of the committee was adopted, the committee 

 was discharged, and the officers named were declared elected. The 

 name of George H. Hudson, of Plattsburg, New York, was presented by 

 Mr. Lintner; that of H. A. Morgan, of Louisiana, by Mr, Weed ; that of 

 B. P. Maun, of the District of Columbia, by Mr. Bruner, and that of Miss 

 M. E. Murtfeldt, of Missouri, by Mr. Riley. All of these names were 

 ordered inscribed upon the roll of members. 



On motion of Mr. Howard, secondec^ by Mr. Smith, it was resolved 

 that the nest meeting of the society be held at the place of, and two 



