Should another performer play the same piece played by a Paderewski the personality of Paderewski would be absolutely wanting, and the same difference between the two performances of the same composition would be in the respective sound records as would exist at the actual performance of the respective pieces. The same differences between Caruso's rendition of a selection from Rigoletto and a concert hall singer's rendition of the same would exist in the sound record and the reproduction therefrom as would exist in the actual singing of the selection. This is true regarding personality of every voice and instrumentation recorded. So-called talking-machine records in this respect differ quite materially from the mechanical organ and piano, for the reason that a so-called talking-machine record is an exact record of all the modulations, and all the characteristic articulations of the voice, as well as of all the characteristics of an instrumentation. In other words, it is an exact picture of all the merits and demerits of the original, and the original is reproduced with an exactness so that frequently, at a distance, in the present perfected state of the art, the reproduction may very well be mistaken for the original. This record of the voice and instrumentation for sound reproducing is an art which was not commercially available, or perfected, when the earlier copyright laws were passed, and therefore were not included. It is doubtless the intention of the framers of this bill to include such sound records as copyrightable matter, but in order to relieve the bill from any doubt it may properly be expressed in this section as I suggest. Hoping that this will meet with your approval, I remain, Yours, very truly, HORACE PETTIT. THE PLAYWRIGHTS LEAGUE CLUB, _New York, N.Y., June 2, 1906_. LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, _Washington, D.C._ DEAR SIR: We are in receipt of your favor of the 31st ultimo, with copy of proposed copyright law. After careful consideration the provisions of this law seem admirably suited to the purposes, and its framers deserve great commendation. As circumstances do not permit my attendance at the hearings, I would consider it a favor if you would read this letter to the committee, if not all of it, then the portions which may not be referred to at the hearing, should anything herein referred to fail to be considered. The latter paragraphs of the letter are especially brought to your attention.