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COMBINATIONS OF MASTERS

CHAP. XXIX.

ON COMBINATIONS OF MASTERS AGAINST THE PUBLIC.

(291.) A species of combination occasionally takesplace amongst manufacturers against persons havingpatents: and these combinations are always injurious tothe public, as well as unjust to the inventors. Someyears since, a gentleman invented a machine, by whichmodellings and carvings were cut in mahogany, andother fine woods. The machine resembled, in somemeasure, the drilling apparatus employed in ornamentallathes; it produced beautiful work, at a very moderateexpense : but the cabinet-makers met together, andcombined against it, and the patent has consequentlynever been worked. A similar fate awaited a machinefor cutting veneers by means of a species of knife.In this instance, the wood could be cut thinner thanby the circular saw, and no waste of it was incurred;but “ the trade” set themselves against it, and aftera heavy expense, it was given up.

Similar examples of combination seem not to beunfrequent, as appears by the Report of the Com-mittee of the House of Commons on Patents forInventions, June, 1829. See the evidence of Mr.Holdsworth.

(292.) There occurs another kind of combinationagainst the public, with which it is difficult to deal. It