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Editorial
February 28, 1886
Workmen's Advocate
New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
The editorial criticizes corruption in the U.S. Patent Department revealed by telephone cases and the tyrannical Bell Telephone monopoly that blocks telephonic progress. It urges government takeover of the telephone business, like the post office, to reward inventors, encourage innovation, and benefit the public amid ongoing fraud and litigation.
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TELEPHONIC.
The disclosures in the Telephone
cases seem to point to general corruption
in the Patent Department, and
indicate an amount of dishonesty
that would horrify our ruling classes
if perpetrated by "common" people.
Meanwhile a most tyrannical monopoly
bars the way to progress in matters
telephonic. The Bell Telephone
clique, it seems, by virtue of patent
rights—rightfully or wrongfully obtained—
prevents the extension and improvement
of telephonic communication
by the use of later and constantly increasing
inventions. The telephone
monopolists certainly have no interest
in adopting improvements as long
as they can control the telephone
business. Thus the people are deprived
of the enjoyment of the products
of invention, and are paying
tribute to a clique for inferior means
of communication, while science offers
superior advantages.
There seems to be no way out of
the dilemma but for the government
to take in hand the telephone business,
and use the improved appliances.
Certainly, it would be fair to
reward the inventors, and even to
offer prizes for further inventions.
This would encourage experiment,
and the public would get the benefit
of an honest administration.
And the time to act is now. With
fraud apparent in the granting of
patents and endless litigations in
prospect, which the people will have
to pay for in the end, it strikes us
that to put an end to this waste of
time and money, and secure to the
people forever the results of scientific
research in this line, the telephone
business should be in charge of the
people's servants, just as the Post-office
is.
The disclosures in the Telephone
cases seem to point to general corruption
in the Patent Department, and
indicate an amount of dishonesty
that would horrify our ruling classes
if perpetrated by "common" people.
Meanwhile a most tyrannical monopoly
bars the way to progress in matters
telephonic. The Bell Telephone
clique, it seems, by virtue of patent
rights—rightfully or wrongfully obtained—
prevents the extension and improvement
of telephonic communication
by the use of later and constantly increasing
inventions. The telephone
monopolists certainly have no interest
in adopting improvements as long
as they can control the telephone
business. Thus the people are deprived
of the enjoyment of the products
of invention, and are paying
tribute to a clique for inferior means
of communication, while science offers
superior advantages.
There seems to be no way out of
the dilemma but for the government
to take in hand the telephone business,
and use the improved appliances.
Certainly, it would be fair to
reward the inventors, and even to
offer prizes for further inventions.
This would encourage experiment,
and the public would get the benefit
of an honest administration.
And the time to act is now. With
fraud apparent in the granting of
patents and endless litigations in
prospect, which the people will have
to pay for in the end, it strikes us
that to put an end to this waste of
time and money, and secure to the
people forever the results of scientific
research in this line, the telephone
business should be in charge of the
people's servants, just as the Post-office
is.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Telephone Monopoly
Patent Corruption
Bell Telephone
Government Takeover
Invention Progress
Public Benefit
What entities or persons were involved?
Bell Telephone Clique
Patent Department
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Telephone Monopoly And Patent Corruption
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Monopoly And Corruption, Advocates Government Intervention
Key Figures
Bell Telephone Clique
Patent Department
Key Arguments
Disclosures In Telephone Cases Reveal General Corruption And Dishonesty In The Patent Department.
Bell Telephone Monopoly Prevents Progress By Blocking Use Of Newer Inventions.
Monopolists Have No Incentive To Adopt Improvements While Controlling The Business.
People Are Deprived Of Better Inventions And Pay Tribute For Inferior Communication.
Government Should Take Over Telephone Business To Use Improved Appliances.
Reward Inventors And Offer Prizes To Encourage Further Innovation.
Act Now To End Fraud, Litigation Costs, And Ensure Public Benefit From Scientific Research.
Telephone Business Should Be Managed Like The Post Office By Public Servants.