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senger automobile and one station wagon to be used by the Commissioner and other officials who will have to divide their time between the two cities. Arrangements have been made with the Public Buildings Administration for the purchase of this equipment and maintenance and operation until the close of this fiscal year. It is necessary, however, that authority and funds be provided in the Appropriation Act for 1943 in order to continue these facilities during the fiscal year 1943.

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Amendment No. 10: Page 75, line 1, insert immediately following the words "boots and aprons," the following language: "Arms and ammunition; purchase, cleaning, and repair of uniforms for guards.”

Amendment No. 11: Page 75, line 16, strike out the figure "$377,000" and insert in lieu thereof, "$409,700."

This supplemental estimate is to provide for uniforms and arms for guards policing the buildings and grounds of the National Bureau of Standards, and to provide mechanics and laborers for the proper maintenance of the buildings and making necessary changes in the laboratories. Due to the necessity of greater policing of buildings and grounds of the Bureau, the Department feels that the guards can more effectively discharge their duties if provided with uniforms and sidearms. Also, by reason of the greatly expanded activities by the Bureau of Standards due to the war effort there is an increasing amount of work in connection with the maintenance of the buildings and making necessary changes in laboratory set-ups. It is to supply these additional facilities that this supplemental estimate of $32,700 has been submitted to the Senate committee as an amendment to the 1943 Budget.

Amendment No. 12: Page 78, line 10, strike out the figure "$2,410,500" and insert in lieu thereof, "$2,443,200."

Amendment No. 13: Page 78, line 11, strike out the figure "$2,132,000" and insert in lieu thereof, "$2,161,700."

WEATHER BUREAU

· Amendment No. 14: Page 80, line 13, strike out the figure "$7,982,100" and insert in lieu thereof "$8,443,850."

Amendment No. 15: Page 80, line 23 and line 24. Strike out the figure "$8,129,900", and insert in lieu thereof "$8,591,650"; strike out the figure "$888,000" and insert in lieu thereof "$901,460."

The Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act, 1942, provided additional funds for the remainder of this fiscal year for the following projects requiring expenditures on an annual basis of the amounts indicated: General forecasts and warnings: Secret codes for strategic meteorological information__

Aviation weather service:

More frequent reports from Alaskan stations__.
Radiosonde observations in Alaska---

$140, 515

155, 595 111, 350 15,790 38, 500

Pilot balloon observations at 15 Alaskan stations___

To provide necessary supervision for the Alaskan weather service-

Total__.

461, 750

The necessity for these additional facilities and services became apparent shortly after the declaration of war, and funds for this year provided immediately. However, the Budget for 1943 had already been prepared and this supplemental estimate is submitted to provide during 1943 the same facilities which Congress has already approved for the remainder of this year.

NATIONAL PATENT PLANNING COMMISSION

STATEMENTS OF HON. JESSE H. JONES, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, AND CONWAY P. COE, COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS

Senator MCCARRAN. What do you want to take up first?

Mr. KERLIN. I believe, Senator, if it is all right with you, and suits Mr. Jones for a few minutes-I believe he would like to start in with Foreign and Domestic Commerce, but they were not asked to be up here until a quarter of 3.

Senator MCCARRAN. That is all right.

Mr. KERLIN. And, if we might clean up some of the smaller items, I would suggest first that we have the Patent Office Planning Committee, and a couple of items in the Patent Office that we might discuss. Senator MCCARRAN. What page of your communication does that

come on?

Mr. KERLIN. I have it here, Senator. Page 55 of the bill.

Senator MCCARRAN. All right, you may proceed. Who will discuss that?

Mr. KERLIN. Commissioner Coe, of the Patent Office.
Senator MCCARRAN. Very well.

AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATION REQUESTED

Mr. COE. Mr. Chairman, an appropriation of $74,000 is requested to meet the operating expenses of the National Patent Planning Commission, established by Executive Order No. 8977, dated December 12, 1941. The amount sought is to provide for these needs of the Commission during the fiscal year 1943 and for the remainder of the current fiscal year.

It is to be expected that the ending of the present war will entail economic dislocations of serious nature and extent. Their efforts can be minimized by the evolvement of inventions and their application to create new industries and thereby to continue the employment both of capital and labor certain to be released by the termination of hostilities.

FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

The National Patent Planning Commission, composed as it is of distinguished citizens, all well known to you, is to undertake a broad study of the patent system to assure that it shall operate with maximum efficiency for the encouragement of new and the continuance of existing industries. The scope of the Commission's undertaking is defined by the President to be principally "To conduct a comprehensive survey and study of the American patent system, and to consider whether the system now provides the maximum service in stimulating the inventive genius of our people in evolving inventions and in furthering their prompt utilization for the public good."

Senator MCCARRAN. What gave rise to this Commission?
Mr. COE. What was that, sir?

Senator MCCARRAN. What gave rise to this group that you speak of?

Mr. COE. Executive Order No. 8977, of December 12, 1941.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION

Dr. Charles F. Kettering was designated by the President as its chairman. The other members of the Commission are Mr. Owen D. Young, Mr. Chester Davis, Mr. Edward F. McGrady, and Dr. Francis P. Gaines, of Washington and Lee University.

Senator MCCARRAN. Where do they hold forth? Do they hold regular situations, or do they have representatives here in the Capital? Mr. COE. The plan is to have an office in the Department of Commerce Building where the Commission will have its regular meetings. Senator MCCARRAN. Is that to be of a permanent personnel operating here in the Capital?

Mr. COE. Only until the studies suggested by the President are completed.

Senator McCARRAN. I see.

STUDY TO BE MADE OF ENTIRE SYSTEM OF PATENTS

Senator WHITE. May I ask, does this Commission contemplate only dealing with the mechanics of patents, or does it propose to study the question of a change in our whole attitude toward patents?

Mr. CoE. It contemplates a study of the entire system, Senator, in order to determine whether or not the present system is operating with maximum efficiency as to the evolvement of inventions, and the application of those inventions in commercial use.

It will not be confined merely to the mechanics of the patent system, although I assume the mechanics must be considered.

Senator WHITE. It may be largely as a result of my lack of knowledge, but I just have the feeling that we have been operating on a patent system somewhat of late years that is somewhat lacking. Secretary JONES. May I make an observation there?

Senator WHITE. Yes.

Secretary JONES. We suggested this matter to the President and as a matter of fact, the Department selected the names of the Commission with one exception. We suggested five names to the President. It is a voluntary committee. We will give them such help as they need, and office space, the idea being that in addition to what has been testified to, they will study this whole procedure we are going through with and try to keep step with it and see what can be done through the inventive genius, so that we may fall on our feet as a consequence, instead of something else, and that we will be able to transfer some of these things we are building now into useful things after the war. We tried to place on this committee we selected outstanding men of this generation. We have Mr. Young's experience in the electrical world. Mr. Davis was selected because of his agricultural contacts, and McGrady, labor, and then Dr. Gaines, as an educator. We think that there is something for them to do.

How often they will meet, and just how they will work, is up to them to determine. We want to give them a little space and a little assistance as they need it.

RESULTS TO BE EXPECTED

Senator MCCARRAN. Do you contemplate by this, or has your study contemplated, a complete revolution of your patent system, or a new set-up?

Mr. COE. I would say it does not contemplate a revolution, Senator, at all. I think it contemplates a rather thorough investigation of the way the system is now operating.

Senator MCCARRAN. Perhaps my use of the word "revolution" was poorly timed and used, but what I meant was a full overhauling of the system.

Mr. COE. I have the hope that if, as a result of the study, the need for modification is detected, they will recommend suitable changes designed in their opinion to correct defects.

Senator MCCARRAN. Has the committee assembled yet at all?

Mr. CoE. Yes, sir; they have met and had an organization meeting. The next meeting will be within a very short time. The intervening period will be devoted to a preparatory study of the problems to be considered.

Senator MCCARRAN. Do you wish to go on with your statement?

Mr. CoE. I was at the point, Mr. Chairman, of indicating another task that the President contemplated in the Executive order, which is to determine "what methods and plans might be developed to promote inventions and discoveries which will increase commerce, provide employment, and fully utilize expanded industrial facilities during normal times."

FUNDS REQUIRED

I view of the extent and the national importance of the task devolving on the Commission, I think the members of this committee will agree that the appropriation contemplated is both quite reasonable and requisite.

Senator MCCARRAN. That is $74,000?

Mr. COE. That covers the balance of the present fiscal year and the fiscal year 1943, on the basis of $55,000 a year.

Senator MCCARRAN. And you consider $19,500 necessary to be immediately made available?

Mr. COE. That is the proportionate amount of the full fiscal year. Senator MCCARRAN. Does anyone else have anything else to say? Is any member of the Commission here?

Mr. COE. No, sir; no member of the Commission is present. Those on the Commission at the first organization meeting designated me, as Commissioner of Patents, to serve as secretary of the Commission, and I am here in that capacity.

EFFECT OF MOVING PART OF PATENT OFFICE

Senator MCCARRAN. May I ask how is this going to function or work when the Patent Office has been scattered all over the country? Mr. COE. I do not believe that the location of a part of the Patent Office in Richmond, Va., will in any way interfere with the studies of this Commission, sir.

Senator MCCARRAN. This may not be entirely appropriate to your discussion, but how much of the Patent Office has been really moved to Richmond?

Mr. COE. We have completed the Richmond move. Approximately 1,100 positions have been transferred to Richmond.

Senator MCCARRAN. How about your files and records?

Mr. CoE. All of the current files have been removed to Richmond. The patented files, abandoned files, the research room, the Trade Mark Division, and the Assignment Division are remaining in Washington.

PLACE OF MEETING

Senator MCCARRAN. This Commission undoubtedly will set up a place where their studies will be conducted and there must of necessity be a staff in connection with it. That is contemplated, is it not? Mr. COE. Yes, sir; that is the purpose of the appropriation as requested.

Senator MCCARRAN. The members of the Commission serve without pay; is that right?

Mr. COE. Yes, sir.

Senator MCCARRAN. And I think you have already stated who the members of the Commission are, and that is in the record?

Mr. CoE. Yes, sir.

Senator WHITE. May I interrupt to ask a question?

Senator MCCARRAN. Yes.

PERSONNEL OF COMMISSION

Senator WHITE. I did not hear who are the members of the Commission.

Mr. CoE. Dr. Charles Kettering is the chairman of the Commission, Mr. Owen D. Young, Mr. Chester C. Davis, Mr. Edward F. McGrady, and Dr. Francis P. Gaines, president of Washington and Lee University, are the other members of the Commission. Senator WHITE. Who is Mr. McGrady?

Secretary JONES. Edward McGrady, who used to be Assistant Secretary of Labor. I think it is a very distinguished committee, Senator. Senator MCCARRAN. Was this presented to the House?

Mr. COE. No, sir. The Executive order was issued and the Commission was created after the Department had appeared before the House Appropriations Committee.

Senator MCCARRAN. Is there a Budget estimate for the item?

Mr. COE. Yes, sir. The Budget estimate is in accordance with the figures which I submitted to the committee.

TEXT OF BUDGET ESTIMATE

Senator MCCARRAN. The part of Senate Document 185 relating to this item will become a part of the record at this point.

(The extract referred to is as follows:)

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