In 1918 Joe took over exclusive production sales and distribution of The Soldiers Song written by Peadar Kearney in 1908. He became the sole licensee and Joe paid Peadar all royalties due to him as the owner of the copyright, from sales achieved. Joe and Peadar had a bit of synergy as Peadar was from Ardee as was Joe's mother.
At a later stage - post Joe's involvement in the song that would become the National Anthem- Peadar writes to Joe asking him to confirm that he had received due royalties from Joe, to show his new publishers perhaps ?.