Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 14.djvu/191

Rh A. I think it exceedingly improbable. So far as I can gather the state of public opinion in America, their reply to all remonstrances is, "We want to have cheap books for our people, and we will not. listen to anything which will interfere with our having cheap books for our people."

Q. You may probably be aware that a very large body of American publishers, not, I think, including the largest houses, but still including many large houses, have advocated international copyright?

A. Yes, I am aware of it.

Q. And you perhaps are aware that, although the list of those who have done so does not contain all the larger houses, it contains by far the greatest number of those with whom we are acquainted?

A. I have understood so. I was never myself quite clear how far the movement was in earnest.

Q. I think that the house with whom you are yourself concerned, that of Messrs. Appleton, agree to it, do they not?

A. I believe so.

Q. I will not mention other names, but can I have reason for supposing that they are not in earnest, considering that they have spent considerable sums of money in advocating their cause?

A. I will not venture to say that particular gentlemen who have advocated this cause are not in earnest; very possibly they are; but it does not appear to me to be compatible with the universal cry which one hears, or which is always raised, when this question is discussed, "We want cheap books for our people, and we will have them at all costs."

Q. Are you aware that the Senate in the United States at one time assented to a proposition for an international copyright?

A. I have heard so. It is a very curious thing that whenever negotiations of that kind arise they are carried on very successfully for a time, and very admirable speeches are made upon all sides, but they always come to nothing.

Q. In our own legislation at home has it not generally been the case that great changes have been ventilated for a considerable time and have failed, and failed, and failed, until at last they have been passed?

A. Yes; that I think has generally been where there has been a great popular cry in their favor. When I visited the United States the popular cry appeared to me to be just the other way; it was for getting cheap books at all costs. I should not like to give very decided opinions upon these matters, but that is what has struck me.

If I understood you aright in reference to illustrated works you said that the cost of the original drawing, and the drawing in wood, and the engraving, must be very large, and that there are processes, by means of photography and other means, by which they could be reproduced very cheaply?