Mr. PUTNAM. I had no intention, Mr. Chairman, of departing from that mode of procedure. I understood that two gentlemen in behalf of these provisions had been heard, Mr. Sousa and Mr. Herbert; and I had also been informed that the other interests, including those of the publishers, did not care to be heard at this point; they were content to have the provision before you as the affirmative. I desire now that the opponents of the bill should have the fullest opportunity, at the earliest possible moment, to present their views to the committee. The opponents have not advised me as to whether they had agreed upon any method of presenting their case. I simply had this suggestion from Mr. Davis which I laid before you, and the fact that Mr. O'Connell, representing ten manufacturers of automatic piano players, also wishes to be heard. Mr. PAUL H. CROMELIN. Mr. Chairman, as the representative of the Columbia Phonograph Company, I should like to know whether it is the purpose of this committee to sit to-morrow. I had promised certain gentlemen in New York City to telephone them between half after 12 to-day and 1 o'clock, so that they can leave on the Congressional Limited and be here to-morrow, if it is your intention to-morrow to hear the opponents of this bill. The CHAIRMAN (after consultation with other members of the committee). We will meet to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Mr. CROMELIN. And may I ask also, Mr. Chairman, if it is your intention to continue these proceedings this afternoon? The CHAIRMAN. We will continue this session until about half past 1. Mr. CROMELIN. Thank you very much. Mr. ALBERT H. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, I wish to inquire whether the committee is willing to sit also on Saturday to continue the hearings? The CHAIRMAN (after further consultation). It is the purpose of the committee, if possible, to finish its hearings to-morrow. Mr. WALKER. I wish to suggest to the committee that this bill is incomparably the most important measure that has been before any Committee on Patents of either House of the American Congress at any time since the civil war, and I think it is the most important measure that ever was before any Committee on Patents of the American Congress since the enactment of the patent law in 1836. The CHAIRMAN. It is not the purpose of the committee to deprive anyone who desires a hearing of that privilege. On the contrary, the committee will sit so long as anyone desires to be heard, within any sort of reason. Mr. WALKER. If the Senator will permit me one moment, I am prepared and have been preparing myself through a rather long lifetime to elucidate the subject of copyright law; and I appear before the committee in the interests of the American people and also in the interests of the authors. The CHAIRMAN. How much time do you wish, Mr. Walker? Mr. WALKER. I wish at least two hours, and I can take it at any time at the convenience of the committee, at any day.