Some of the Defects in Our Postal System.—(1) For thirty years prior to 1911 there has been an annual deficit of several million dollars. This was caused largely through the transportation of second-class matter, so-called periodical publications. But in 1911 there was a postal surplus of nearly $220,000, which was due largely to more business-like methods in management. That this is an unjust drain upon the public funds is clear, when we consider that, in a recent year, the government expended $17,277,783 more than it received for carrying second-class mail. (2) Another serious defect has existed in the payment of exorbitant rates to railroad companies for carrying the mails. (3) Some Congressmen abuse the privilege granted them of sending government publications free. (4) The postal system has offered one of the best fields for the manipulation of the spoilsman. Postmasters have been usually appointed on the recommendation of representatives, and, too frequently, the one essential to securing an office is that the applicant must be influential in politics.
Parcels Post.—On January 1, 1913, a far-reaching innovation was put into operation by the Post-office Department. The parcels-post system was used for the first time. Bills providing for such a system had been introduced into Congress, but failed to pass owing largely to the opposition of express companies and other common carriers.
III. COPYRIGHTS AND PATENTS.
Copyrights and Patents.—Section 8, Clause 8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.
The development of American literature has been greatly aided through the operation of laws based on this clause. Copyrights are secured from the Librarian of Congress. Any person obtaining a copyright has the sole right to print, copy, or sell the book, chart, engraving, music, etc., for a period of twenty-eight years. A copyright may be renewed for fourteen years longer. It may be sold or transferred providing a record of the transfer be made in the office of the Librarian of Congress within sixty days.
Patents.—Americans have been rightly named the great inventors of the world. Not a little of our marvelous industrial progress has been due to this inventive ability. The government has contributed to the same end, through the enactment of laws protecting those inventors who secure patents. A person desiring a patent must declare upon oath, in his petition addressed to the Commissioner of Patents, that he believes himself to be the first inventor of the article for which he solicits a patent. The sum of fifteen dollars is charged for filing the application, and twenty dollars for issuing the patent. A patent is granted for seventeen years, but may be extended for seven years more. During this period, the patentee has the exclusive right to manufacture, sell, or transfer his invention.[[32]]
IV. MILITARY POWERS IN CONGRESS.
Section 8, Clauses 11, 12, 13, 14. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years.
To provide and maintain a navy.