Mr. BONYNGE. I do not understand that he has not the same right if he buys a piece of music he can do what he wants to with it; but the other question is in regard to the public performance. Mr. SERVEN. For profit; yes. Mr. CHANEY. In the case of a musical composition, he buys it for the purpose of public performance. Mr. SERVEN. Not necessarily. Mr. CHANEY. For instance, take a Sunday-school book---- Mr. FURNESS. It does not cover that at all. The CHAIRMAN. You state that this law refers to the use of these books for a public performance for profit. I do not understand the law that way. Mr. CHANEY. I do not, either. The CHAIRMAN. The committee has suggested yesterday and to-day an amendment which would put the law as you state it, and you object to that. Mr. SERVEN. For this reason: It is proposed to make certain exceptions, to allow privileges to certain beneficiaries under this law, which would really defeat the law, because that sort of a proposition is solely for financial profit, the sort of entertainment that is referred to. Upon investigation it will be found that nearly every entertainment of the kind referred to is really for profit; that instead of lending or renting for a charitable enterprise pure and simple, it will be found that it is a money-making enterprise; there is hardly an exception. You will find that such an entertainment is not a social affair. It is not that sort of a thing. It is an institution solely devised as an expedient to raise money for certain specific purposes, whatever they may be. Now, if we simply give, as, for instance, for the benefit of the occupants of a hospital, or something of that kind, where there is no charge or anything of that sort, we give simply for the entertainment of a company of gentlemen and ladies, where the public is not shut out unless they had the price, then I am sure these gentlemen would not have the slightest objection to it whatever; in fact, they like to encourage that sort of thing, and they even lend their music for such purposes. Mr. CHANEY. But you want the power of doing that lending yourselves? Mr. SERVEN. Yes; if our music is gone, we like to do the lending. Mr. CHANEY. Suppose I buy this composition [holding up musical composition]: haven't I a right to sing it, and have not my friends a right to sing it at my expense? Mr. SERVEN. You have, so far as any private performance is concerned. Mr. CHANEY. Well, in public? Mr. SERVEN. I don't think so. Mr. CHANEY. Ought I not to have that right? Mr. SERVEN. That depends on what the contract is when you buy it. Mr. FURNESS. You could not sing that yourself [referring to musical composition]; that requires more than one voice. Mr. GILL. How was the use of that restricted when it was purchased?