A REMARKABLE SUIT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XVI, Issue 2391, 18 February 1889, Page 4

A REMARKABLE SUIT.

of the most remarkable suits on jfecord has (writes the New York correspondent of the 4ge) just been endejjl, for ths present at least. It began 14 years ago, and was for an aggregate of * 30,000,000 dols. (or £6,000,000), and in the present decision the claimants get jootbing for their expense, trouble, and long delay. Briefly stated, it was the suit of the Webster Loom Company tor an infringement of their patent by a wellknown carpet manufacturer named Higgins. Higgins and three other carpet manufacturers formerly held the monopoly of certain patents, and all became rich out pf their operations. These patents expired in 1871, and then there was a rush of manufacturers, and mills were started all over the country to use the old inventions and also utilise some new ones. It is owing to the use of an invention by Webster that the suit in Question was brought, and they have been before the courts since, 1874 A company with 2Q0,000d0l capital was formed to push the suits. Tbe documents in the case from first to last weigh more than two tons. One witness was kept 20 months on the witness stand, and his testimony fills 2384 printed pages, and is in answer to 6294 questions. The testimony of another witness occupied seven months, and filled 1200 printed pages. When the case came on for argument It days were consumed in discussion, and brief? amounting to over 1200 pages were submitted, the records and models filled two large carts, and it took the Master in accounts six months to go through the papers. There have bien two decisions of the case^-of course they were opposed- to each other — and this third decision leaves the matter open to go to a higher pourt. Daring the long litigation one of the two original defendants has died ; both their original counsel have gone the Bame way, and also one of the counsel who subsequently came into the case. The in- 1 venter, Webster, whose invention caused the suit, two brothers named Duckworth, who invented subsequent improvements, all the original experts of the defendants and most of those of the plaintiffs, have followed Webster and the counsel up tbe golden stairs. The president of the Webster Loom Company iias spent his entire fortune in the litigation, and others have met practically the same fate. But have not the lawyers made a nice thing out of tbe business ? They may make more yet, as the case can be appealed ; but before this can be done somebody must come forward with money to pay for the necessary fighting-

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