That strikes one at once with a little semblance of justice; but the injustice of that proposition consists in this: That for every piece of music which has been cut by a manufacturer, that has been lawfully cut under the present decisions, where he has a perfect right to do it, he has been obliged to expend from $10 to $25. He has that much investment lying under this music that is out in the market. Now, if it is not reasonable that all this outstanding music, lawfully made and lawfully sold, should become outlawed by a new act, is it reasonable that all this provision for making that investment, which amounts to millions of dollars, in the preparation for cutting this music, should become outlawed immediately, so that no more compensation can come to this manufacturer who has this $25 or this $10 invested in each piece, and say to him: "You can not use that music; you can not cut any more of that music?" Is it reasonable that that investment should be killed--that that investment, lawfully made, in a lawful product, should become immediately unlawful and waste paper? Mr. WEBB. What section has that effect? Mr. BURTON. I do not say the bill would certainly have that effect. It is entirely uncertain, but it seems to me the bill would have the effect, as I read it, of permitting the composer to claim the rights except as to outstanding music--that is, the right from this time on to cut it. The bill should be clear. I have had only a very short time to examine it, and a provision may possibly lurk somewhere under which the continued production of perforated rolls now being produced would be permitted, but I think not. I think it is possible, or might be held possible, under the bill for the composer to claim the rights from this time on to cut the music. Mr. CURRIER. Oh, very clearly so; he can sell that right. Mr. BURTON. If that is the case, it seems to me unjust. Mr. CAMPBELL. Where the copyright has run out? Mr. CURRIER. No; for copyrights taken out after the passage of this bill. Mr. BURTON. I am talking about the music that is now on the market, not the rolls, but the means of cutting them--whether the composer can, under this bill, acquire the right to stop the cutting from now on of that music. Mr. CURRIER. I do not think you need to take any time with that proposition. Mr. BURTON. If that is clear, I will pass it. It seems to me the bill gives it; but if you make it entirely clear that it does not---- Mr. CURRIER. It is not the purpose of the committee, I judge, to allow that. Your time has expired. Mr. BURTON. Then I will ask leave to file a complete brief suggesting changes. Mr. CURRIER. And I might say to you what has been said to others here--that neither the Senate nor the House committee will take any action on this bill at this session. It will go over until next winter, and at any time before action is taken you can file any further brief or any further suggestions with the committee.