Mr. CROMELIN. Before proceeding, I would like to make this point clear: That Mr. O'Connell yesterday, in appearing before your committee, was representing the perforated-roll interests. I represent the talking-machine interests, which means more in dollar capitalization than the perforated-roll interests. I trust, while I shall endeavor to finish my remarks in fifteen or twenty minutes, that if General Walker is willing, you will extend my time to half an hour. The CHAIRMAN. We are compelled to limit you absolutely to fifteen minutes. Mr. CROMELIN. Very well, sir. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, on behalf of the Columbia Phonograph Company and the Columbia Phonograph Company, General, sole sales agents for the American Graphophone Company, I protest against those portions of the proposed copyright law by which it is proposed to extend the copyright protection to reproductions to the ear, so as to include under the term "writings," as this term is used in the Constitution of the United States in the protection of authors and composers in their writings, mechanical or other reproductions to the ear; and, in particular, in so far as this bill may be construed to cover talking machine sound records in any form soever. In view of the fact that you are going to limit me to fifteen minutes, I think it best that I should state specifically my reasons for opposing this bill, and I have put them down in writing. I have fifteen specific reasons, and I would request that during the time I am stating these reasons I shall not be interrupted. I invite the committee at the conclusion of my statement of these specific reasons to ask any questions they wish, and I request permission to appear before the committees at some future time, during the recess of Congress, to explain in detail all the statements that are made. Without attempting to elucidate, gentlemen: First. We protest that such legislation, in so far as it relates to talking machine sound records of any kind, is unconstitutional. Second. That such legislation is against public policy and directly contrary to the spirit and progress of the times. Third. That the demand for such legislation does not emanate from the great mass of the musical authors (composers), nor is it demanded by them, but has been conceived by certain selfish individuals who have conspired together to form and create a giant monopoly, the like of which the world has never known. Fourth. That such legislation, instead of being in the interest of the composers, is directly opposed to their real interest, which is to have the greatest possible distribution of such records as the best means for creating a demand for their sheet music. Abundant evidence can be furnished to sustain this fact, if desired. Mr. CURRIER. It is desired.