I think I overheard as I came in a remark indicating that the next point I desire to press has already been suggested. In section 3 of the bill as I read it, as it stands now, there is a provision which would make it possible (and the committee will interrupt me if it has already been discussed, for in that event I should not wish to spend any time upon it) for the owners of copyrights of existing music to simply refile that music for copyright under this statute, and publish it with the mark that is required by this bill, and thereupon all that was contained in the previous copyright that is contained in that refiled and recopyrighted matter would come under this act, with all the privileges that this act gives over former copyright acts. For example, this very matter of the right to mechanically reproduce would attach to a piece of music which had been previously copyrighted and of which a copy is now filed under this statute, and all the privileges of the bill except the longer term would attach to old copyrighted music which is simply refiled. So it would be possible to make the provisions of this act retroactive, so that the publishers, upon taking this proceeding, for 50 cents, with all their copyrighted music, would immediately cause the loss of the millions of dollars that have been invested in those rolls. Mr. CURRIER. That has been discussed by several gentlemen, and objection taken to it--the same objection you are discussing now. Mr. BURTON. Very well; I will not talk of that. Mr. CHANEY. His point is that he would let the copyright go to each one of these interests, as I understand it. Mr. CURRIER. That is on another point, however. He is speaking about section 3 now, in reference to subsisting copyrights. Mr. BURTON. In section 3 there is a provision which ought to be changed to prevent the subsisting copyright from carrying over these provisions into the new---- Mr. CURRIER. That has been discussed by several gentlemen. Mr. BURTON. Then if you are not going to make it retroactive--I judge the committee is clear upon that point--so as to bring under a copyright and make infringements all these outstanding millions of rolls, the question next should be, Should it be possible for the composer, by copyrighting now his perforated roll or taking any steps under this statute, to have the right from this time on to control the cutting of music which has heretofore been cut?