MILLIMETERS ^

0/ tdU>oru r[&p&>iA

A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION

PARTIV

(1899-1910)

Thomas E. Jeffrey Lisa Gitelman Gregory Jankunis David W. Hutchings Leslie Fields

Editors

Theresa M. Collins Gregory Field Aldo E. Salerno Karen A. Detig Lorie Stock

Robert Rosenberg Director and Editor

Sponsors

Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site New Jersey Historical Commission Smithsonian Institution

University Publications of America Bethesda, MD 1999

Edison signature used with permission of McGmw-Edlson Company

Thomas A. Edison Papers at

Rutgers, The State University endorsed by

National Historical Publications and Records Commission 18 June 1981

All rights reserved. No part of this publication including any portion of the guide and index or of the microfilm may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means— graphic, electronic, mechanical, or chemical, includingphotocopying, recordingor taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The original documents hi this edition are from the archives at the Edison National Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.

ISBN 0-89093-703-6

THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS

Robert A. Rosenberg Director anti Editor

Thomas E. Jeffrey Associate Director and Coeditor

Paul B. Israel

Managing Editor, Book Edition Helen Endick

Assistant Director for Administration

Associate Editors Theresa M. Collins Lisa Gitelman Keith A. Nier

Research Associates Gregory Jankunis Lorie Stock

Assistant Editors Louis Carlat Aldo E. Salerno

Secretary

Grace Kurkowski

Amy Cohen Bethany Jankunis Laura Konrad Vishal Nayak

Student Assistants

Jessica Rosenberg Stacey Saelg Wojtek Szymkowiak Matthew Wosniak

BOARD OF SPONSORS

Rutgers, The State University of New National Park Service

Jersey

Francis L. Lawrence Joseph J. Seneca Richard F. Foley David M. Osliinsky New Jersey Historical Commission Howard L. Green

John Maounis Maryanne Gerbauckas Roger Durham George Tseios Smithsonian Institution Bernard Finn Arthur P. Molella

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

James Brittain, Georgia Institute of Technology R. Frank Colson, University of Southampton Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University Susan Hockey, University of Alberta Thomas Parke Hughes, University of Peiuisylvania Peter Robinson, Oxford University

Philip Scranton, Georgia Institute of Technology/Hagley Museum and Library Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Teclmology

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS

PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Charles Edison Fund Tiie Hyde and Watson Foundation National Trust for the Humanities Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

PUBLIC FOUNDATIONS National Science Foundation National Endowment for the Humanities

National Historical Publications and Records Commission

PRIVATE CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

Alabama Power Company

Anonymous

AT&T

Atlantic Electric

Association of Edison Illuminating Companies

Battelle Memorial Institute The Boston Edison Foundation Cabot Corporation Foundation, Inc. Carolina Power & Light Company Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.

Consumers Power Company Cooper Industries Corning Incorporated Duke Power Company Entergy Corporation (Middle South Electric System)

Exxon Corporation

Florida Power & Light Company

General Electric Foundation

Gould Inc. Foundation

Gulf States Utilities Company

David and Nina Heitz

Hess Foundation, Inc.

Idaho Power Company

IMO Industries

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley II. Katz Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Midwest Resources, Inc.

Minnesota Power New Jersey Bell New York State Electric & Gas Corporation

North American Philips Corporation Philadelphia Electric Company Philips Lighting B.V.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company

RCA Corporation

Robert Bosch GmbH

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation

San Diego Gas and Electric

Savannah Electric and Power Company

Schering-Plough Foundation

Texas Utilities Company

Thomas & Betts Corporation

Thomson Grand Public

Transamerica Delaval Inc.

Westinghouse Foundation Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

A Note on the Sources

The pages which have been filmed are the best copies available. Every technical effort possible has been made to ensure legibility.

PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM COPYING RESTRICTIONS

Reel duplication of the whole or of any part of this film is prohibited. In lieu of transcripts, however, enlarged photocopies of selected items contained on these reels may be made in order to facilitate research.

DOCUMENT FILE SERIES

1901

1901. Automobile (D-01-01)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the design and operation of automobiles and the use of storage batteries in electric vehicles. Included are letters from the Electric Vehicle Co. regarding the maintenance and motors of Edison's own electric vehicles and a letter from Hamilton Twombly, Jr., expressing satisfaction with the battery in his automobile.

1901. Battery - Primary (D-01-02)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the primary batteries produced by the Edison Manufacturing Co. Most of the items are letters from William S. Logue, sales agent, to William E. Gilmore, vice president and general manager. They concern the use and potential sales of the batteries as well as the activity of competitors in the field.

1901. Battery - Storage - General (D-01-03)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the commercial and technical development of Edison's alkaline storage battery. Included are letters concerning electrode and electrolyte composition, corporate organization, and patent matters. Also included are a report on the performance of Edison cells and an article by Arthur E. Kennelly entitled "The New Edison Storage Battery." Among the correspondents are engineer William Slocum Barstow, attorney Richard N. Dyer, and vice president and general manager of the Edison Manufacturing Co., William E. Gilmore.

1901. Battery - Storage - Foreign (D-01-04)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the patenting, manufacture, and sale of Edison storage batteries in Europe. Most of the correspondence is by or addressed to the following individuals: Robert Rafn, who assisted attorneys working to obtain patents in continental Europe; Herman E. Dick, who was authorized by Edison to exploit the battery commercially throughout Europe; Willis N. Stewart, who was seeking to purchase both the Edison and the competing Jungner patents; and Sigmund Bergmann, who began to manufacture Edison storage batteries at his factory in Berlin.

1 901 . Dick, Herman E. (D-01 -05) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining to the personal finances and travel of Herman E. Dick, son of Edison's former associate, Albert B. Dick. Herman E. Dick was involved with, among other matters, the commercial exploitation of patent rights for Edison's storage battery in Europe.

1901. Edison, T.A. - General (D-01 -06)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to a variety of subjects. Included are documents that deal with more than one subject or that do not fall under the main subject categories in the Document File. Among the items for 1 901 are a letter from longtime Edison associate Sigmund Bergmann; a telegram from Guglielmo Marconi; and Edison's comments on physicist Henry Rowland following Rowland's death.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Articles (D-01-07) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence requesting Edison to write articles and letters from journalists seeking to interview him. None of the items received a substantive response.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Book and Journal Orders (D-01-08) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the ordering of books and journals. The few items for 1901 attest to Edison's continued interest in chemistry and geology publications.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Clubs and Societies (D-01-09)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's membership and activities in social clubs and professional societies. Included are solicitations from the Young Men's Christian Association of the Oranges and the Franklin Murphy Young Voters League, both of which received donations from Edison.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Employment (0-01-10)

This folder contains correspondence from or about employees and prospective employees. Most of the correspondence relates to employment requests for the West Orange laboratory. There are also letters soliciting Edison's opinion regarding former employees seeking positions elsewhere.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Family (D-01-11)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents by and about Edison's family. Included are numerous letters concerning the legal and financial interests of Thomas A. Edison, Jr., as well as a series of reports from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency pertaining to the investigation of kidnapping threats made against Edison's family.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Financial (D-01-12)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's personal investments and other financial interests. Included are items concerning Edison's promissory notes and accounts, along with routine letters from J.P. Morgan & Co. regarding payment of the monthly stipend provided by Edison to his daughter, Marion Edison Oeser. Only two items, one pertaining to a payment by the American Bell Telephone Co. and the other to a note held by C.A. Spofford, have been selected.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Name Use (D-01-13) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining to the use of Edison's name, whether authorized or unauthorized, for advertising, trademark, or other purposes. Items for 1901 concern an Edison chemical ink and an Edison "electric comb." Related documents can be found in the Legal Department Records. Items regarding the use of the name "Thomas A. Edison, Jr." can be found in D-01-11 (Edison, T.A. - Family).

1901. Edison, T.A. - Unsolicited Correspondence - Advice (D-01-14) [not selected]

This folder contains routine correspondence suggesting improvements in Edison's inventions, asking him for advice on technical matters, or requesting his assistance in improving or promoting inventions. Also included are unsolicited letters from inventors about their work. No record of a significant response by Edison has been found for any of these items.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Unsolicited Correspondence - Business (D-01-15) [not selected]

This folder contains routine correspondence from individuals requesting agencies for Edison's inventions or seeking to do business with Edison.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Unsolicited Correspondence - Foreign Language (D-01-16) [not selected]

This folder contains untranslated letters to Edison. Unsolicited foreign-language documents accompanied by translations or English-language summaries can be found in other "Edison, T.A. - Unsolicited Correspondence" folders.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Unsolicited Correspondence - Personal (D-01-17) [not selected]

This folder contains routine personal requests, fan mail, and other items for which no record of a significant response by Edison has been found. Included are letters asking Edison for educational advice, personal information, charitable contributions, exhibits of his inventions, and other favors.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Visitors (D-01-18) [not selected]

This folder contains routine letters of introduction and routine requests to visit Edison or tour his West Orange laboratory. Substantive letters from individuals who visited the laboratory or company shops on business can be found in the appropriate subject folders.

1901. Edison Manufacturing Company (D-01-19)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business of the Edison Manufacturing Co. Included are letters concerning the use of phonoplex circuits by the Western Union Telegraph Co., the sale of used machine tools to Ralph H. Beach of the Pianophone Co., and the purchase of a phonograph reproducer and phonograph recordings by William S. Logue, a sales agent for the Edison Manufacturing Co. There are also letters pertaining to the company's claim against the Hicks Gas Engine Co. of Buffalo, New York. Among the correspondents is William E. Gilmore, vice president and general manager of the Edison Manufacturing Co. Other items in the Document File relating to the Edison Manufacturing Co. can be found in D-01-02 (Battery - Primary) and in D-01-28 (Motion Pictures).

1901. Edison-Saunders Compressed Air Company (D-01-20)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining to the business of the Edison-Saunders Compressed Air Co. Included are patent-related correspondence and a license agreement between the Edison-Saunders Co. and the H. K. Porter Co. of Pittsburgh.

1901. Electric Light - General (D-01-21)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to electric lighting, traction, and power. Included are letters regarding a photograph of the electric railway at Menlo Park and the disposition of the original locomotive; a communication about the annual meeting of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies; and a request, misdirected to the West Orange laboratory, for repairs on a General Electric dynamo.

1901. Exhibitions (0-01-22)

This folder contains correspondence concerning industrial and electrical expositions in Paris (1 900) and in Buffalo, New York (1 901 ). Most of the items pertain to the Buffalo display of Sigmund Lubin's motion picture apparatus and films, which Edison believed infringed his own patents.

1901. Fort Myers (D-01-23)

This folder contains correspondence, memoranda, and freight receipts relating to Edison's home and property at Fort Myers, Florida. Included are items concerning Edison's schedule, insurance policies, and paint and supplies.

1901. Mining - General (D-01-24)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to mining and ore milling. Included are letters pertaining to ore separators and to ores and mines in which Edison expressed an interest.

1901. Mining - Dry Placer Process (D-01-25)

This folder contains inquiries regarding Edison's dry placer process for the separation of gold ore. The majority of these inquiries were made by mine owners in response to an advertisement Edison placed in the Denver Mining Reporter and the San Francisco Mining and Scientific Press. Each correspondent was sent a questionnaire soliciting "placer data."

1901. Mining - Mines and Ores (D-01-26) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to mines and ores to be bought, sold, worked, or tested. Many of the items deal with the mining interests of companies or individuals who wanted to lease or sell property to Edison or have their ores tested. None of the inquiries received a substantive response from Edison.

1901. Mining - Ortiz Mine (D-01-27)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's dry placer process for the separation of gold ore at the Ortiz Mine in Dolores, New Mexico. Included are reports to Edison and to the Galisteo Co., which had agreed to spend up to $15,000 on the experimental mill.

1901. Motion Pictures (D-01-28)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the production and commercial development of motion picture films. Included are documents pertaining to litigation against or negotiations with competing firms, such as the Kleine Optical Co., the American Mutoscope & Biograph Co., and the Armat Motion Picture Co. Among the correspondents are William E. Gilmore, vice president and general manager of the Edison Manufacturing Co.; James H. White, manager of the Film Department; and the law firm of Dyer, Edmonds & Dyer. Related material can be found in D-01-22 (Exhibitions).

1901. Patents (D-01-29)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to foreign and domestic patent applications, patent litigation, and other patent matters. Most of the material consists of letters to Edison from the law firm of Dyer, Edmonds & Dyer and correspondence from parties in Europe concerning storage battery patents. Included is evidence of Edison’s effort to block the American Graphophone Co. from obtaining patents in Germany.

1901. Phonograph - General (D-01-30)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the technical and commercial development of phonographs. Included are letters from phonograph users, a memorandum in Edison's hand regarding phonograph patents, and an incomplete letter from William E. Gilmore to Edison concerning the commercial exploitation of the phonograph in Europe. Also included is a statement of the foreign marketing business conducted by Charles E. Stevens as of December 1900, along with memoranda by Edison ordering the distribution of the balance received from Stevens.

1901. Phonograph - Edison Phonograph Works (D-01-31) [not selected]

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business of the Edison Phonograph Works. Included are five letters from Samuel Insull regarding the renewal and discounting of notes, as well as perfunctory statements of account, letters of acknowledgment, and bids for carpentry and masonry jobs at the Works.

1901. Phonograph - Edison United Phonograph Company (D-01-32)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business of the Edison United Phonograph Co. and other companies organized to exploit the Edison phonograph in countries other than the United States and Canada, Included are items concerning the company’s financial problems, litigation with the Edison Phonograph Works, and the business of the Deutsche Edison-Phonographen-Gesellschaft and its competitors. The unsigned letters at the beginning and end of the folder are by Stephen F. Moriarty, vice president of the Edison United Phonograph Co. Related material can be found in the Legal Department Records.

1901. Phonograph - Moriarty, Stephen F.

(D-01-33) [not selected]

This folder contains personal correspondence by or addressed to Stephen F. Moriarty, vice president of the Edison United Phonograph Co. Most of the items are letters between Moriarty and individuals in Paris whom he sought to interest in a scheme to control the entire traction system of Paris.

1901. West Orange Laboratory (D-01-34)

This folder contains memoranda, correspondence, and other documents relating to the operation of the West Orange laboratory. Included are lists made by Edison of chemicals to be obtained, correspondence pertaining to insurance and machine tools for the lab, and orders directed to the laboratory storekeeper. Also included is correspondence between Edison and the Essex and Hudson Gas Co. regarding an agreement to supply the laboratory, the Edison Phonograph Works and the Edison Storage Battery Co.

1901. Automobile (D-01-01)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the design and operation of automobiles and the use of storage batteries in electric vehicles. Included are letters from the Electric Vehicle Co. regarding the maintenance and motors of Edison's own electric vehicles and a letter from Hamilton Twombly, Jr., expressing satisfaction with the battery in his automobile.

Approximately 15 percent of the documents have been selected. The items not selected include notes and invoices regarding parts and supplies for automobiles and for electric motors.

Gujy(~fTv*~&bi 1^,

COLUMBIA AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY HARTFORD, CONN., U. S. A.

MR.THOMAS A. EDISON,

o/o Edison's Laboratory, Orange, N.J.

Dear Sir:-

. January 14th. 1901.

J&.

‘-(fl-

r yAf.

Aaaording to instructions from Mr. Day as a result of Mr. J.M. Hill's negotiations with you, we beg to state that v:e are shipping you by express to-day one of our standard ■rwwwfaie motors.

As this motor stands, its rating now is 75 volts, SO amperes and 1400 revolutions per minute.

We give you this information thinking it may possibly be of value.

Trusting that the motor will roaoli you and will neat your requirements, we beg to remain.

Very truly yours,

ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY,

-

D-HWA.

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

SCHENECTADY,

Mr. Thomas A. Edll IdLewellar Dear Sir:-

Alluding to

^ Winter 15t:

•ange, N. J.

• conversation on t!

visit to you with Messrs. Hughes and Beach,- I desi]

Bay that I

have arranged to send you, for trial, two automobile Vaotors,- one a GE-1007 and one a GE-1005; also an S-ll controller;- in order that you may examine and try this apparatus thoroughly*

As I said to you,- we have not hesitated to put enough material into these machines to allow great sturdiness of design, mechanical strength and reliability,- and we have aimed to supply sufficient material in our magnetic and electrlo circuits so that

the molecular activity may he comparatively low at normal outputs, end the motors have all been built to withstand very large overloads without material decrease in efficiency without sparking and without

heat ing.

You will find the GE-1007 motor, giving about 76.5 % ef¬ ficiency at nonaal load,- or a little more,- and the GE-1005 giving about 81 % at normal load* You will also find that these effi¬ ciencies are well maintained a$'150*$ overload* You will find the brake horse power to be fu lly UP to the rated amount and you will also find, I believe, that these motors,- considering that they are series wound motors*- lack to a marked degree the fault of lying down in speed and torquefwhen heavy grades or other severe servicels

o jj - GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. HOV. 15,1901.

(Hr. Thomas A. Edison.)

encountered.

The normal vending of these motors is for 85 volts; . the GE-1007 is rated for .87 HP and the GEML005 for 1.48 HP.

I would call your attention particularly to the substan¬ tial construction of the armatures, field colls, etc., and to the ease of making suoh repairs as may, at times, he necessary, in any automobile motor.

TShile moBt other makers are Btill regarding as dominant factors In design, exceedingly light weight with high normal effi¬ ciency only,- we have endeavored to look at the business from such a commercial standpoint as will obtain, two or three years hence,, and are making motors more nearly conforming to street car practice in weight,- looking for high average efficiency at normal and heavy overloads.

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1901. Battery - Primary (D-01-02)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the primary batteries produced by the Edison Manufacturing Co. Most of the items are letters from William S. Logue, sales agent, to William E. Gilmore, vice president and general manager. They concern the use and potential sales of the batteries as well as the activity of competitors in the field.

All of the documents have been selected.

[MEMORANDUM BY JOHN R. SCHERMERHORN]

, -P- •

• • \^D\ ■

SPECIFICATIONS BOR1 SPELTER POR USE IN THE ~

MANUPAC TURE OP BATTERY ZINCS. V

Must be equal to the "Horsehead" brand supplied by the New Jersey Zinc Co. ' .

Must "be free from lead, arsenic and antimony and should, not. have more than a trace. of iron.

«Bro*Vie-, *7e oteo , ^jwy^ttdfmtmp'iaettgiaa^J

Hereafter oxitle platen should Tit: made the. followinc

weights;

"Q," Platon, 10 or,.

"R" •' 18 or,.

"E" " 7 or,,

Special platen wJiioh vro make for tlie General Electric Cio,

should he respectively:

"Q" 8 1/2 on.

"H" 17 on.

7/23/1901,

J. R. S,

New Y- rk, Sept 12th, 1901.

Mr. Gilmore :-

During the conversation, I had rath Mr Sperry yester¬ day, he informed me J» that the Scr£hern Railway, were working on specifications for a signal insulation and that Mr. Daves formerly of the Central Railroad of New Jersey had charge of the work. It is expected that the specifications will be ready in about a month Do you think it would be a good idea to write our friend Darlton, in reference to the matter.

I also met mMr. Adams who informed mo that the Signal Engineer of the Pittsburg Division of the B & 0 R R called on him a short time ago to talk over Signal matters with him. He says that the B & 0 are again talking about equipping the Pittsburg Division, which is a hundred and fifty miles long, with Signals. On account of the interest the Pennsylvania Company have in the B & 0 , it is pre¬ sumed that the Union Switch and Signal Company will do this work, During the last talk I had with our B & 0 friend, I was informed

that the Edison Company wcvild furnish the battery for all the B &

0 signals. You understand this.

I tried to look up our friend

/>.

the Statten Island Road found

that he was away.

As requested I went to Washington, on Thursday night, aid found that Mr. Dalton, was absent from the oity, and that his return was in doubt, hut certainly not before the early part of this week.

I also learned that Mr. Daves, wAb out on the road nearly all of the time, and his return was also doubtful; he was not in his office on Friday. I called on Gen'l. Supt.,of Transportation, Mr. Peddle, he remembered that you and I called upon him with Mr. Darlt 09 sometime ago; after a. pleasant talk, about some old mutual friends, I asked him if his

company anticipated installing any signals on their line; he replied "yes and no" "We are of course talking about installing signals on the same portion of the road that Whs talked of when you were her e" I then asked him about how soon lib thought the specifications would be ready, he replied "it is hard "to tell, maybe not for a couple of years" This of coulee did hot. satisfy me. I tola Mr. Peddle, that we would like to fUiW'th^baUery, Bftfdrq 1 had finished, he br$ke $.n rind Said, "There y'^l-anty of time.

7-1 tfcl&vhim thfti dn all of tiie signals, liistailttd' ill the last 41,^ > c’the ■BddBon-B^tfefy, fyac}. been u$dd on the- rfty York gcnthA

t jfft* Michigan Central, The J>. I,* ^ w. Th$ B. * 0. The S, 4f\d pjfyiir ro&Afr I, it <*itt*4'^ the Jersey <5entr^l Paygs. | _ ■ "

W. E. Gilmore

JFAOTURINC COMF

Date Sept., 16, Sheet No. 2

He Replied, “Mr. Bogus, your company shall have the opportunity of b;Lddlpg on the battery" I then said "Mr. Peddle, I should like to call again, before the. bide on the battery are wanted, how soon shall I call?" he replied, "in three or four months" 1 then bald,' "I ain going to •: U

Chicago, today, and will be back in six weeks or two months, and it it will be convenient to you, I will pall and. see you." He said "Ohl that will be plenty early enough, and 1 shall be glad to see you" The inter¬ view ended here.

I at onoe went to the B. & 0. Depot, to see if I eould locate Mr. Seldon, I thought it would be a good idea to get him to call on Gen'l, Mngr. Gannon, or Mr. Peddle. I learned that he had left Balti¬ more, on Friday morning, for New York.

^ will write both Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Seldon, today or to¬ morrow,; Bending you a copy of fmy letters to both gentlemen; also advising you when I hear from them.

Yours very truly,

EDISON MANUFACTURING C OMPANY^Tx?'

■ JW&U

ant.

Weste

Sales*

Sept. , 16, /<?£>/

Mr. c. A. Darlton,

Supt., Telegraph, Southern Ry. ,

Washington, D. C.

My Dear Chari ie:-

Why in the Dickon’ a don’t you stay in Washington, ooasaionally bo that your^eionds can nee you when they oall. What in this I hear about your company getting up specifications for signals? 1 am informed that Hr. Daves, is now working on ^pacifications for signaling your line from Charlotteville , to Washington! What show have we for getting the order for the battery? Will you bo our Agent, and see that we get it?

We of course will assist you in ever;- way possible. I presume that you know that tho following roads have adopted the Edison battery,- as their Standard, and that all of the signals on the road are equipped with the same. The Central S. R. of hew Jersey, the B. & 0. The Hew

York Central, The V/est Shore, The Illinois Central, The Chicago & Alton

Railway, The Northern Puoiflo, the C. & E. I,, The D. I. & W. and the Michigan Central, are at present using thousands of our oells and are*fast as possible changing all other types of battery for the Edison. I omitted the C. H. 0. & T. P, Ry, , from the first list. The ub o ve e ftpp 1 i OB to the Semaphore signals.

A large number of the roads are using our batte ies on the

oro suing bells. If you need a list of these I oan furnish you with the

same, ..."

The best oell for Bignal work 1b the type “S S’ I an Bendjtng you under separate oover one of our catalogues, as wall as ono of our

• ) ; . '

C. A. Dari ton Sept., 16, 2

booklets,. . ...

A test was made by the Union Switoh and gignal company, of Swissvale, Penna, , last winter, of all the Caustic Soda Batteries! the Gordon, The Waterbury and The Edison Battery, an well as the United States Storage Cells, The "S S" cell, proved to ho the most proficient at all the cells. You will sec hy the abov^, that we are offering your cOitpany , the very best battery on tho market. 7 A battery that I oan assure you will givo your company the very best servioe,

When in Washington on Friday, I found that you were away, and I called on Jit, Peddle, endeavoring to find out how soon the specification^ would be ma.de up. Mr. Pfeddle, told mo that he oould not tell, .as the matter had not progressed fox enough for him tc nay. It ’^b very important that y;e get the- bat.tory named in the specifications* . , This is what we want done for a oertainity. If you oan assist us in any way it v/ill be more than appreciated by all connected with our oorapany. :

Kindly let me hear from you. Anything you may write me, will be j communicated to no one but Mr. Gilmore, who will I know, oonsider it ae ! Striotly confidential as myself,- ■ j

Yours very truly, j

. EDISCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY.. • ' !

'I

Western Sales Agt 'j

P K R S 0 IT A Li

Sept., 16;

C. Seldon,

Supt., Telegraph, B. & 0. R. R,t

Baltiiaora , Ud,

r Dear Charlie : -

1 waa in Washington, on Friday and inquired .gram your office in iltimore, if you were in tho city. They informed me that you had left Jr Hew York, that morning. when do you expeot to he in Chicago, ld "ftV™ sure 01111 01411 at 144 Ave,, before you leave the

Lty on' the beautiful lake? I have ei^ew matters which t rouxd likr 3 talk over with you.

Yours very truly,

HICAGOjFSICE; 1 44 WABASH AVENUE.

3 R s oim.

1 j I .^(JEicago, Sept. ,-25, 1901.

%PM,

Mr. w. B. Gilmore, '

V. P.ifl. W, Bdiflpn l£fe^ Cotff*

Referring to the report pent you of toy visit to Washington, tftd oopy of jny letter t6 IBN barlton, which I sent you, ahd the copy of his reply which t alsft sent ypu.

You will nets' that He made ho reply to that part of my letter attfkiftg him if he'wMilcf' aecfc as a^eht. - If the facts are as he states Wi Dares, lb obly*' getting up a diagram, and not specifications, therS- will he ^lpu.ty pf to take the Matter up a little later, you

will, remember that «r» Peddle, also told me that there wai? plenty of tifte. l&v Pari ton, ^iromis^<f to write me as soon as he saw Ur. haves, thiB has been. a week or "tytfj plays ago; of course it is possible that he has not seen him, hut it. seehs to me that if the gentlemen felt very much inter¬ ested in the matter we should have heard from him before this.

You will remember we discussed getting our friend in Balimore lfr&erested enough in- the matter to call upon Gen'l. Mnfer. , Gannon, and

Edison Manufacturing Company

To "W.. E. Gilmore

Date gept. 25th Sheet No. 2

whatc-puld ’b.e Mn*', or what cotild ho foukd 6^,

J3ie Baltimore expected i'ti .ChiohgOj ik a nfrfiek or b6.

Have you ,aijy .suggeationrf' to nfkitd aa to Hofr I' should talk to will understand this, without mklng it any plainer*

i iedppaBe I Will W dejce# jfrj to tl>e ^timber of cells of batt- arlCB that 3i«ve his 4k' furklshod to the Hall Signal Cbtepanp, on the' twenty- five hhndxjed>cel^.3 <jrdeco«^ fhat tep3,y shall I

yo^s yery tpu^y,

EDISON IIAUUEAC TUKJJJQ. (J

EDISON JVTANUFACTURINC COMPANY

Mr. Vogel surprised me this morning by telling me in striot confidence, that his Company controlled the foundation Patent for the Oxide Scale Battery.

He claims that they can close up the Gordon, Waterbury, and Nunguesser Comapnies. He claims that the Patent has about nine or ten years to run. He says hb;.. thinks- that it could be arranged with his Company to enter into an agreemeht with the Edison people to use the Edison Battery exclusively, for the crossing Bell Signal work.

" I presume that you know that the Railroad Supply Co,, controls all the Railroad Crossing Signals, with the exception of the Hall, and the Union Switch & Signal Companies, crossing bell."

The Signal Companies do very little crossing bell work on account of the high price of their appliance.

Mr. Vogel says that he is under the impression that Jiis Company would bring suit against the thfee Companies first mentioned in this letter* that is if a satisfactory arrangment could be made with his Company, to handle our goods. He also informed me that his Company contemplated going into the Battery business, and he personally would prefer to make some arrangment with us. He intimated that he would want a special type of cell made so that his Company would be protected on renewals etc.

I told Mr. Vogel that you were expected in Chicago most any day, and if he was in the City When you arrived, I would try and arrange a meeting. He goes away tonight or tomorrow night to be gone about a week.

Edison Manufacturing Company

To W. E. Gilmore, Esq., Date Sheet No. 2,

I of course did not commit myself in any way, saying that when you and he got together the matter could he soon fixed up.

He said that he knew exactly what the Gordon people as well as ourselves had paid out for commission to Railroad people, and to whom.

He would not give me these figures, hut claimed that we had two men on our list. I positively denied thiB, he insisted that he was right, hepause in two cases the Gordon people had to raise the commission in order to get the business. I still insisted that ho one was receiving commission from

He tqlls me that he had befen investigating the Battery business for more than a year, and as proof that he was doing so, he gave me the followihg figures.

The Gordon Battery sales in 96 wad, $24,900, in 97, $41,400, in 98, $59,536, in 99, $81,321, the firBt quarter in 1900, $36.360r seppnd quarter $29,854, this is as far as he has.

After he gave me these figure I said, have you our figurth? he smiled and said, I Will not tell.

I should judge from the above that there is a leak in the Gordon Office. Are there any at Orange ? Of course all the above was given in strictest cdftfidence.

When do you expect to be in Chicago.

YourB very truly,

EDISOH^^^^^^JR^rfiO .

y^ptern Sales Ageht.

W. E, Gilmore, Esq.,

Vice Pres. & Gep.Mgr., EdiBon Mfg.Co,,

Orange, NT J,

Dear - SiV:-

X succeeded this morning in getting an order from Mr. Vogel of the Railway Supply Co,, amounting a little over $200, I will mail a to Orapge either, this afternoon or tomorrow mornigg,

I quoted him 33-l/3^ on complete cells, and 3C»^ on renewals. Yours very truly,

J RfcCiiiV'ti/i I HwV, "(l-lOtii .1

ffSL/REK.

EDISON MANUfACT^ING CO

■ ^

Western saleV>

1901. Battery - Storage - General (D-01-03)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the commercial and technical development of Edison's alkaline storage battery. Included are letters concerning electrode and electrolyte composition, corporate organization, and patent matters. Also included are a report on the performance of Edison cells and an article by Arthur E. Kennelly entitled "The New Edison Storage Battery." Among the correspondents are engineer William Slocum Barstow, attorney Richard N. Dyer, and vice president and general manager of the Edison Manufacturing Co., William E. Gilmore.

Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. Among the items not selected are multiple drafts and copies of Kennelly's article and routine patent documents.

'T^s-.U

PILLfNC & CRANE,

Broad & chestnut Streets

PHILADELPHIA.

February 15th. 1901.

Thomas A. Mi son, Esq.,

Orange, H. J.

Dear sir? y*

We find that about a year ago the Electric Storage Battery Company employed about six hundred hands, bui/that their business has materially fallen off and that they are' now employing from 250 to 300. About a year ago, when there was' a sharp decline in the price of their stock, they issued a circular to explain matters, which, however, did pot result in any benefit, and the stock has continued to decline. Recently they /ssued another circular, giving information as to the extent If their business. One of our friends, who is in position to act intelligently, has promised to get us this printed matter, whihh, when received, we will for¬ ward to you. /

BccW-^

PILLING & CRANE.

Broad & Chestnut Streets

Philadelphia. February 18th. 1901'.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange,. IT. J.

Dear sir:

We enclose herewith a pamphlet containing a statement made to the .Board of Di recto rs. of the Electric Storage Battery Coup any on December 12th. 1899. You will also observe a recent clipping which, shows, that they paid on their preferred stock on January 2nd. 1901. ye do net understand that any dividends have been paid on the common.

[ENCLOSURE]

Statement of Business made to the Board of Directors

of

The Electric Storage Battery Co.

at their meeting held

December 13, 1899

[ENCLOSURE]

Statement of Business made to the Board of Directors

of

The Electric Storage Battery Co

at their meeting held

[ENCLOSURE]

December n, 1899.

To the Board of Directors,

The Electric Storage Battery Company. Gentlemen :

The sales of the Company for the year 1899 will amount to approximately three and one half million dollars, an increase of nearly three hundred per cent, over 1898, when the business was one million and a third. This increase has come from the wider use of batteries and it is a constantly increasing ratio. Thus the last quarter of the year shows a business of over a million dollars gross, and the Company carries over* to 1900, unfilled orders aggregating $980,000, with over $500,000 in addition of work ready to bill but undelivered.

[ENCLOSURE]

The net profits on the business in 1898 was slightly over 22% as shown by the annual report. In 1899, with general charges spread over a larger business, as they will be, I estimate the profit at about 25%. In other words the current business is earning about $250,000 per quarter or exceeding a rate of 6% upon the outstanding capital stock. This is inde¬ pendent of any dividends from vehicle stocks, which at rates paid last year would give us from stocks in our treasury an additional sum of $80,000 quarterly, or an additional 2% annually upon our stock, show¬ ing that our present net earnings, including income from stocks in the treasury, are upon a basis of about eight per cent, per annum upon the capital stock.

A conservative view of our business shows that if we maintain during 1900 the rate of business of the current quarter, the net profits will more than pay 6ft on the stock independent of the income from other sources, and from increased output ; and there is every reason to expect that the present rate will not only be maintained but increased two

or three times over. Since the enforcement recently • of the injunction against infringements of our pat¬ ents, opposition has practically ceased.

The Company has no floating debt, owes nothing except small current bills not exceeding altogether $60,000 and has no bonded or other indebtedness.

It is apparent that dividends should be paid to the stockholders at an early date, as the returns show a net earning capacity of eight per cent, at this time.

Respectfully submitted,

j?eb,

DILL, BOMEISUEH & BALDWIN.

18th, 1901*

My Dear Mr, Eclison:-

Wont you send me a short agreement cover-* infi 0Mr conversation of yesterday relative to the purchase of your new battery. The terms as discussed being satisfactory to you, it will aid arid protect me during my negotiations to know that, you and your Company will deliver to me or my nominees and assigns at the price and upon th® terms discussed by us vizs $3,000, 000 cash; yon to retain right to manufacture and sell batteries to us at 20 % over shop cost; purchaser to maintain open market at 50 ?> over selling price of batteries to us by your Company; your Opmpany to have 50# percent of any reduction in cost of manufacturing after 10,000 batteries have been pro¬ duced; your Company- to construct and maintain plant with suf¬ ficient. capacity to supply market; all patents covering the art (including station batteries) or improvements thereon now owned by you or your Company or to be taken out by you or your Company for five years from purchase to pass to us and be included in above terms. The above substantially covers the matter; details can be arranged.

I do not want to do a lot of work on a matter of this magnitude and find when ready to close that I am bid¬ ding against the field. No more do I feel that you would place me dm that position; for these reasons I suggested a figure . which would be so high that you could not refuse it, thus enabling you to discount the future and still retain a fine manufacturing

■business , while I would have the opportunity of placing the business in strong hands at a profit and vrithout fear of anyone going over or under me.

Knowing your keen spirit of both business and fairness,

I feel that you would not place me in this position and hence I ask for the above, which will enable me to get in a lot of good work while you are away. Sould it be necessary I would Sven run down to Port Myers to see you.

I am rushed this week and know that you are, hence this letter; should you desire me to come out however, wire me and I will c6me at my first opportunity.

I feel that if I am in the above position 1 will b® able to close t$his business shortly after your return or as soon thereafter as your tests and so forth will permit.

1 send this by hand to save time and answer by bearer will be welcome otherwise at your early convenience.

With kindest regards.

DILL, BOMEISLER &

Pet, 19th, Idol*

My Dear Ediaons-

Your prompt, reply to my letter of 19th ipst at hand for which thanks. I fully appreciate your position arri con¬ cur in yonr views as you expressed it. While 1 perfectly trust you and feel that as to this "business I am safe in your hands, my only fear is that you;depart: leaving the matter to correspondence with your associates, much unnecessary delay will result which might prevent me from going forward during your absence.

Your idea has "been to sell direct at a manufact¬ urers profit, thuB incurring commercial hazard of litigation and death. My plan in np way interferes with the above proposition of manufacturing by you at a manufacturers Profit fpr the entire / product of consumption. In addition to yonr plan however, your Company receives $3,000,000 in cash thus discounting the future while preserving all that you originally contemplated retain ,‘j nameiyi a progressive manufacturing business. Note that the SO percent -item:- over purchasing cost ..to' preserve? an open market S' ‘ insures the above.

I fail to see' how your associates any more than your¬ self can reject a cash return upon their investment which accom¬ plishes in first instance and without additional investment more than they could have hoped to realize by years of manufacturing profits and millions of invested capital all subject to the delay, in^convenience and hazard of strike liti&ition.

I do wish that you could get this matter shaped up with them before you go. I think they will Jung) at the opportunity particularly if you cast the weight of your influence and Judgment in its fawor.

They knowtthat you above all can measure the •-value-; of the property and your views and pleasure should control them irrespective quite of their wish . This is to my mind quite very important and I think it will be; well for you to mate an effort to reaoh them so that I can know your pleasure before you depart.

Pardon my tenacity and insistance. you will recognize: in it only the attributes of your own success. With best wishes.

Orange, N. J,

^ jiiuJ *4# 6o ‘

[ATTACHMENT]

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OPI'ICK ANIJ SAl.KSItOOM.

Thomas A.. Edison, Esq.,

Port Myers, Pla.

My dear Mr. Edison: - . - - - - .

The attached dipping, in reference to a new battery gotten up hy a Philadelphia party, was sent me several days ago. I do not know whether it will be of any interest to you, but thought best to send it along for your information.

Yours very truly,

(yt) S {£> c^^j-crx^s

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By

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ttljm-Bixia pearl Blmf, Broottlan, B. p.

April 26, 1901.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Ity dear Mr. Edison:

Orange, N. J.

On my return from the Laboratory the other day,

I reviewed the figures that I had given you, and found that there were two very serious mistakes.

I did not properly add the weight of the sulphuric acid and water, and at the same time gave you the wrong rating of the bat¬ tery in horse power. This last mistake is due to the fact that the battery people persistently rate their central station batteries at 110 volts pressure, although the batteries are for 220 volts, and therefore at this last pressure are good for only one half the cur¬ rent at which they are rated. Thus, a 14,000 ampere hour battery really means 70Q amperes at 220 volts, or 1400 amperes at 110 volts.

I enclose two memorandums which I have prepared carefully myself, and can state positively that they are correct. I have had the figures verified by actual weight^ of the different parts .

I regret exceedingly that thfs mistake occurred, but dis¬ covered it on my return, and your letter of April 24th served as an additional reminder.

In' charging the batteries, they are charged up at the normal rate ,(10 hour rate) until the voltage of each cell is 2.5.

At the instant the batteries begin to discharge, the voltage of each cell drops to 2.1, -and from that point slowly drops until we stop the

TO. 3. Bnrofoiu, (Iljvcc-Sixla ptnrl £lraf, Bvonftlmi, B. )J.

discharging of the battery at 1.78, which is about as low as we can go economically. If the battery discharges below 1.78, the voltage drops very rapidly to zero, and then reverses. When the battery is fully charged, the specific gravity is 1200; when the battery is dis¬ charged, it falls to 1165. The voltage between the electrolyte and the positive plate is mentioned in an article by Mr. Jos. Appleton, in the Electrical Engineer of March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1897 . Our tests of voltage are made by introducing a cadmium plate between the positive and negative in the electrolyte. The following are the results:

At 10 hour rate, the readings at the beginning of discharge between the positive and negative plates are 2.10; between negative and cadmium .16; between positive and cadmium 2.26. After five hours discharge at same rate, the readings between positive and negative plates are 1.94; between negative and cadmium .2; between positive and cadmium 2.14. At the end of the discharge, the read¬ ings between positive and negative plates are 1.74; between nega¬ tive and cadmium .23; between positive and cadmium lS^.

In checking the weights of the plates, .which you will no¬ tice are much more than I gave you, I found that the plates which had been weighed, and which I told you averaged 27 lbs., when oarefully examined, presented a curious appearance. The negative buttons had partly disintegrated, and the balance of the button had blistered so as to give the button the appearance of a solid button, although it was almost hollow. In weighing a larger number of plates, and oarefully examining them, I was able to secure more reliable figures, showing the average weight per plate to be 36 instead of 27 lbs.

I think that the figures of weight per horse power which are herein enolosed are rather low, since from the plates about 30 tons of oxide

IB. S. Bnrafmo, (Eljtcc-Sixia pcntl direct, Brooltlun, B. 1$.

#3.

has dropped to the bottom of the cells, and this we are now removing. This was not considered in the weights of the cells.

As the battery wears out, the weight per cell for the same output drops, until the buttons of active material entirely disappear, when the capacity decreases so that the weight per horse power is in¬ creased enormously.

I trust that you will pardon the mistake which was made, and that the enclosed information will be satisfactory. Should

there be any test which you should like made for further information,

I should be pleased to have it made and results sent to you, or should you desire to visit the batteries in question, I should be glad to ar¬ range for such visit at any time .

Yours very truly,

[ENCLOSURE]

MEMORANDUM OR SECOND DISTRICT BATTERY.

This battery consists of 140 cells, catalogued as Type H-#27.

Each cell contains 13 positive and 14 negative plates, each positive plate weighing 46 lbs., and each negative plate weighing 27, lbs., so that total weight of elements in eqch oell is 976 lbs.

Added to this should be the lead connection connecting the elements together, the weight of which is 40 lbs., making total weight of $■'' 1016 lbs. of lead, elements and connection.

The water and sulphuric acid (sp. gr. 1200) weighs 670 lbs.

The lead lined wooden cells weigh 350 lbs. each.

Total weight of cell complete . 2036 lbs.

2036 lbs. x 140 cells » 265,040 lbs. total weight of battery.

At 10 hour rate, battery gives 133 H. P. for 10 hours, at average voltage of each oell -of 1.9.

At one hour rate, battery gives 633 H. p. for one hour at average voltage of 1.8 per cell.

Weight of battey per H.P.E, at 10 hour rate 214 lbs.

Weight of battery per H.P.E, at one hour rate 450 lbs.

[ENCLOSURE]

MEMORANDUM OP SUBSTATION "A" BATTERY.

TMs Battery consists of 156 cells, catalogued as Type H~#51.

Each oell contains 25 positive and 26 negative plates, each positive plate weighing 46 IBs., and each negative plate weighing 27 IBs., so that total weight of elements in each cell is 1852 IBb. Added to this should Be the lead connection connecting the elements together, the weight of which is 46 IBs., making total weight of 1898 IBs. of lead, elements and connection.

The water and sulphuric acid (sp. gr. 1200) weighs 1090 IBs.

The lead lined wooden cells weigh 650 IBs. each.

Total weight of cell complete . 5638 IBs.

3638 IBs. x 156 = 567,528 IBs. total weight of Battery.

At 10 hour rate, Battery gives 278 H. P. per hour for ten hours, at average tfflltage of each oell of 1,9.

At one hour rate, Battery gives 1120 H. P. per hour for one hour, at average voltage of each oell of 1,8,

Weight of Battery per H, P. H. at 10 hour rate 204 IBs.

Weight of Battery per H. P. E. at one hour rate 506 IBs,

"While it is possible to increase the energy per unit mass by making the electrodes vory light, yet this is always found to bo • followed by a very heavy deterioration.

Many attompts hnvo also been made to perfect storage coils of the alkalino-zincato type, but the great difficulty of depositing zinc in coherent form from the solution, as well ns the lack of a depolarizer that shall bo insoluble in the elootrolyte, 1ms Btood in the way of this cell’s success.

Mr. Edison sot himself the task of finding a cell which should possess the following advantages :

1. Absence of deterioration by work.

2. Largo storage cnpncity per unit of mass.

3. Capability of being rapidly charged nnd discharged.

4. Capability of withstanding careless treatment.

5. Inexpensive!] ess.

He believes that the coll hero shown may claim these advan tages in a vory satisfactory degree.

Tlie negative pole, or positive element, corresponding to the zinc of a primary cell, or the spongy lend of a secondary coll, is iron. The positive polo or negative element, corresponding to the carbon of a primary coll, or lead poroxidoof a secondary cell, is a suporoxide of nickel bolieved to have tho formula Ni 02. The cell is therefore a nickel-iron coll, a namo which suggests the structural material — nickel-steel. The electrolyte is potash : viz., an aqueous solution containing from 10 to 40$ by weight, but preferably 20$, of potassium hydroxide, the freezing temper¬ ature of which is 20° below zero F. or-30° 0.

Tho initial voltage of discharge aftor recent charge is _ 1.5 volts

Tho mean voltage of full discharge is approximately . . . .1.1 volts Tho normal discharging current rate per unit area of active ele¬ ment (positive or negative) is . . 60 milllllmP°rcs

aq. Inch.

or • • . . . .

The storage capacity of tho coll per unit of total mass'o/tho cell

18 . . watt-hours per pound

or ' ; . . . 30-85 watt-hours per kilo

Expressing tho same statement in another way, tho weight of bat¬ tery per unit of electric energy at terminals is,

53.3 lbs. per e‘. n. p. hour or . 32.4 kilos per kilowatt-hour

Or tho battery gives energy at its terminals sufficient to lift its own weight through a vertical distance of approximately

. 7 miles or 11.20 kilometres.

Tho moan normal discharging power-rate per unit mass of total

coll is . . . 4 watts per lb. or 8.82 watts per kilo :

Corresponding to a normal discharge period of . 34 hours

Tho coll may, however, be discharged at a relatively high rate,

in approximately . 1 hour :

Corresponding to a discharging power rate per unit of total cell

moss of . 12 watts per lb. or 2B.46 watts per kilo.

Charging and discharging rates are alike. That is to say, the cell may bo charged at the normal rate in 34 hours ; or, it may be charged at a relatively high rate in one hour, with no apparent detriment beyond a somewhat lowered electrical charge effi¬ ciency. In other words, tho cell does not appear to bo injured by over-charging or discharging, and only suffers in electrical efficiency under such treatment.

Tho positiye nnd negative plates are mechanically alike, and can scarcely be distinguished by tho eye. They differ only in the chemical contents of their pockets. Tho samples here ex¬ hibited, which are intended for autoinobilo batteries, illustrate tho construction. Each pinto is formed of n comparatively thin sheet of steel, 0.-024" (0.61 mm) in thickness, out of which rec¬ tangular holes are stamped, so as to leave a grid or frame some¬ what resembling a window-frame. In the plate here shown, there are three rows of eight such rectangular holes or recesses, or 24 recesses in all.

Each opening or recess is filled with a pocket or Bliallow box containing the active material. These boxes correspond to tho panes of glass in the window-frame analogy. Tho panes instead of being thinner than tho frame, as in an actual window, are thickor than the frame, or projcct slightly beyond the surfaco of the steel grid. They are perforated with numerous small holes to admit the electrolyte, but entirely conceal the contained active material from view.. All that inepts the eye, therefore, in any of the plates, is the steel frame, and its embedded “ windows” of perforated steel.

The active material is inado in the form of rectangular cakes or briquettes, and one such briquette is lodged in each pocket or “ window pane” of tho plate. Each of the plates shown, there¬ fore, supports, or contains, 24 briquettes of active material, all in rigid contact with its own substance.

Each briquette is placed in a shallow, closely fitting nickel- plated box of thin perforated crucible stool, out from a long strip of that, material 0.008" (0.075 mm.) thick. A cover or lid of the same material is then laid over it, so that the briquette is closely enveloped by thd sides and walls of its perforated steel box. Tho boxes are then placed in the openings or boles in the niokol- platcd steol grid, and closely tit tlio same. Tho assembled plate is then placed in a hydraulic press, and subjected to a total pres¬ sure of about 100 tons. This prcssuro not only tightly closes tho boxes, but it also forces their metal sides over the adjacent sides of the recesses in tho steel grid, thus clamping the whole mnss into a single solid and rigid steel plato with tho hollow “window panes” full of aotivo material. Tho nickel-plating of both grids and boxes aids in scouring good pormnnont electric connections between them. Tho finished plate 1ms a grid thick¬ ness of U.024" (0.8(1 nun.), and a “ window” or pockot thickness of 0.1" (2.5 inm.). This is tho maximum thickness of the pinto at any point, but being of steel, tho plato lias ample rigidity.

The positive briquettes (zincs of a primary coll) are made by mixing a finely divided compound of iron obtained by a special chemical process with a nearly equal volume of thin Hakes of graphite. The graphite docs not outer into any of the chemical actions, but assists the conductivity of the briquettes. Tho graphite is di¬ vided into very thin lamina) by a chemical process, and these are passed through sieves or screens so as to leave a size or area of fhiko that is much larger than tho area of tho perforation in the steel windows. The mixture is then pressed into briquettes in a mould, under a hydraulic pressure of about two toils per square inch. The briquettes have a surface nrea of nenrly 3"xA" on each face.

Tho negative briquette (carbon of a primary cell) are made by similarly mixing a finely divided compound of nickel, ob¬ tained by special chemical means, with a nearly equal bulk of fine flakes of graphite; and solidifying the mixture in a mould into briquettes of the same size as above.

A. suitable numbor of positive nud negativo plates are assem¬ bled together, being separated from ono another only by a thin shoot of perforated hard rubber.

The assembled plates are placed in a vessel or external con¬ taining cell of shoot steol containing tho potash solution, which, of course, does not attack steel. There was, however,

mueli difficulty from tho action of tho potash on the soldered seams of tho steel containing vessel. After many trials, how¬ ever, Mr. Edison found n solder which seems to bo entirely un¬ affected by the alkali.

In charging, tho current is, of course, sent into tho positive pole and its attached negative nickel-plate, through tho electro¬ lyte, and into tho positive plate of tho iron compound which car¬ ries tho negative polo. This current deoxidizes or reduces the compound to spongy metallic iron and carries tho oxygon through tho film of electrolyte to tho niokel compound, oxidizing it to tho liyporoxido of nickel Hi Oa, a higher oxido than the poroxido. Tn other words, the charging current simply carries oxygen in tho opposito direction ngainst the forces of chemical affinity, from tho iron to tho nickel, and stores tho energy in the reduced iron, which is, of course, unaffected and passive in the presence of the potash solution. On discharge, the current passes from the positive pole through tho external circuit to the negative pole, and its attached iron or positive plate, and then through the solution to tho negative orsuperoxidc plate. In so doing the oxygen moves bnek against tho current and partially reduces the nickel suporoxido Hi O. while oxidizing the spongy iron. The energy of burning of the iron and oxygen which would be devel¬ oped ns boat in the ordinary chemical process is now liberated in the circuit ub electrical energy.

The coll is an oxygeu-lift. Charging pulls the oxygon away from the iron and delivers it temporarily to tlie-nickel. The condition is then stable, until tho circuit of tho coll is completed. Discharge tlion allows the oxygen to fall back from the nickel to the iron with the natural affinity of iron and oxygen.

This action is very different from that which takes place in the lead storage coll. Here, neglecting complication, tho action is usually regarded for practical purposes ns being represented by the equation

Pb03+2H,S04-(-Pb=PI) SO,-t-2II,0+Pb SO4+100 watt-hours, where the left-hand side represents tho condition of charge and the right-hand side the condition of discharge. Here oxy¬ gon is not Bimply transferred in discharge from the peroxide to the spongy load, but tho solution is changed (theoretically) from an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid to plnin water. Of course the discharge could not practically be carried to tho point

of denuding tlio solution of nil sulphuric neid, and a surplusngo of aoid must bo used. The equation gives a more thcorotionl out¬ line of admittedly very complex reactions. In other words, the specific gravity of the sulphurie aoid solution fails during the discharge, and tho solution ontors into the chemical combination. Theoretically, for ovory 445 grammes of ac¬ tive mnterial on both plates, 19G grammes of sulphurie acid are required to effect tho combination, or 44$ by weight of the active elements, and in practice it is usual to allow a weight of sulphurie acid .nearly equal to half tho weight of the dements, or about one-quarter of tho total weight of tile cell.

In tho now Edison coll, on tho other hand, tho theoretical action of the potash solution is merely to provide tho proper channel through which the oxygen ions may travel in one direction or tho other — positive plate to negative plato in charge, and negative plate to positive plato in discharge. Consequently, tlie amount of solution needs only to be sufficient to fulfill mechanical requirements. 1 1 is believed that the weight of solu¬ tion will in practice bo only about 20$ of tho plato weight or about 14$ of the cell weight. In fact the cell may bo worked in the same manner ns the so-called primary "dry-cells.” More¬ over, if the solution should escape, or be carried away, by gasing in charging, the only detriment seems to bo tho loss of active sur¬ face thereby occasioned, and it will only be necessary to fill up the cells to the proper level with water from time to time, as evaporation or gasing may lower tlio level. For tho same rea¬ sons tlie specific gravity of the electrolyte does not appreciably vary during charge and discharge.

The briquettes of active material slightly expand on receiving oxygen, and slightly contract on delivering it, that is to say, the iron briquettes contract and the nickel briquettes expand during charge, while on dischnrgo the iron briquettes expand and tho nickel briquettes contract. The level of the solution is in this way scarcely affected. Tho expansions and contractions of tlio briquettes appear to be well within the elastic limits of the spring-steel containing boxes, and consequently the electric con¬ tact is always secure. Tho covers or sides of the window pockets merely approach to or recede from each other slightly during charge and discharge. Fortunately, steel is the metal which pos¬ sesses this mechanical elasticity in a marked degree.

Tho action of tlie charging and discharging current upon tlio briquettes seems to be transferred from their external surfaces

inwards in a manner similar to the transfer of carbon and oxygen in tho process of making malleable cast-iron in the furnace on the prinoiplo of cementation. Ho active material lias been found to be ejected irom the briquettes through tho window dorforn- tions, oven undertho deliberate overcharging and discharging. Such gas as is thereby produced makes its appoarnneo on tho external surface of tho windows.

If tho nickel compound had no affinity for oxygon, so that en¬ ergy was noithor developed nor absorbed in the deoxidation of further oxidation of that, substance, then tho enorgy would be entirely that duo to the energy of combination of oxygon and iron, stated to bo 79.7 watt-hours, and representing an n. m, f., theoretically obtainable, of 1.47 volts. If tho combination of oxygen with the nickel compound be oxothormic or energy- releasing, thon tlie watt-liours delivered (and the E. jt. r.) will bo lessened by the enorgy necessarily paid back to break up the combination.

If on the other hand tho combination is endothermic or energy- absorbing, then the watt-hours delivered (and tho E. xr. F.) will be increased by the enorgy restored on breaking up the combina¬ tion. Since the superoxido eeoma not to have been known hith¬ erto, no information concerning its energy of combination is obtainable. Tho electromotive force of the cell seeinB to be so near to that of the union of iron and oxygen ns to suggest that the nickel superoxido is not far from being neutral, or that the nickel compound has but little affinity for oxygen, although the superoxide appears to be quite stable in tho cell.

The new coll does not seem to bo appreciably influenced by changes of temperature, and should stand a very low tempera¬ ture without detriment. The electrolyte — potash — does not at¬ tack any of the ingredients of tho cell, nor aro any of tho ingredients soluble therein. Ho local action occurs in tho coll so far ns has yet been observed since the e. xr. f. is below that neces- ary to decompose water.

Tho cell may be fully discharged to the practical zero point of e. xr. f. without detriment. In fact, a liell has not only been completely discharged, but recharged in tho reverse or wrong direction, and after bringing it back to its originally charged state by proper restoration of tho direction of charging current, tho storage capacity remained unaffeoted. It would seem, therefore, that the cell should bo capable of withstanding much

Diagrams aro appended giving the curves of discharge of ex¬ perimental cells.

Mr. Edison states that “the negative plate (nickel)1 cither charged or discharged, can bo romoved from a working coll, and dried in tho air for a week, without appreciably injuring it, and when the plate is finally replaced in the coll its charge is prac¬ tically undiminished.”

The positive (iron) plate, if similarly removed from the cell will be likewise uninjured, but it soon loses its charge by the oxidation of tho spongy iron with accompanying liberation of heat and appreciable rise of temperature extending over a period of several hour's. On replacing the oloctrode, however, in the coll tho storage capacity is unaffected on recharge;

As regards cost, Mr. Edison believes that after factory facili¬ ties now in course of preparation have been completed, ho will bo able to fjn-nish the cells at a price per kilowatt hour not greater than tho prevailing price of lead colls. •

Having now considered tho action and properties of the celi, u brief description may bo given of the difficulties .-encountered in developing it.

The phenomenon of passivity has probably kept inventors from finding this coll in the past. Mr. Edison believes that of all the very numerous compounds of iron, and of which he hnB tried many hundreds, the particular compound which lio pre¬ pares, is perhaps tho only one capable of being used. .

If the dried hydrates, or oxides of iron native or artificial,- are e b]ected to electrolytic reducing action in any alkaline solution, they remain inort and unaffected.

On tho other hand, if finely divided iron obtained by reducing a compound of iron under tho action of a reducing agent, Buck as hydrogen, or carbonic monoxide is subjected to electrolytic oxida¬ tion in an alkaline solution it is inert and cannot be oxidized., It assumes the well known passivo state. .

Tho same difficulty of passivity affects the use of nickel or, the negative element. Finely divided nickel, reduced from a nickel compound, remains inactive when subjected to electrolytic oxygen ■in an alkaline solution. . The monoxide and the black-oxide or peroxide are, also inert., Ho oxide of nickel; is active or can, bo made active, by’ electrolytic notion, and the peroxide does not act as a depolarizer. . , , . ■ . ,

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The Orford Copper Co.,

Smkwjsks & Hu fin krs of Coppkr&I'Jickut..

TOma at CONSTABLE liOOK.N.J. ! . -v ,

lDDRESS ALL LETTERS TO NEW BRICHTONi Ni Y.

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Thos. A. Edison,

Llwellyn Park, Orange, N. Dear Mr. :Edisons-

i and have been

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I an now with the_ Orford CopneJ

AUstXA l ./finrvOK- <££ - - - -

instructed by Col. Thompson to see you and -talk to you about your battery,

and about how much nickel you will want tot it. I think I cftfC say that the position of the Orford Copper Co., is, that it is quite willing to furnish you all the nickel you desire for your battery at fair terms.

Please let me know what hour it will be convenient for you to have me come down to your laboratory as I am very busy here at our works.

(X?^j<^v\AAArvv.

Telephone Message from R. H. Dyer,

Oct. 17, 1901.

Mr. Edison:

We have this morning a letter from Hayes initialed hy Pelzer stating that he has forwarded to the patent office an assign¬ ment of storage battery patents and applications. We are surprised that the job of transfering matters in our hands should be taken out of our office. In looking at the list Pelzer gives in his letter, we see that, as might be expected that he has the situation all balled up. Rome of his application numbers are wrong, he refers to applications where he should refer to patents and he refers to atleast one application and probably two whioh by agreement by you are to be abondoned beoause other applications haye been filed in their place and because of an unfavorable record in the patent office. These applications were not to be disclosed and the assignment will give the public information about them. We think you should telephone Pelzer to telegraph the patent office today to return the assignment without recording.

R. H. Dyer.

Telephone Message to H. W. Hayes.

Hayes:

You better do what Dyer asks to keep things smooth, answer.

Edison.

Dyer.

The reason is that Hayes drew the Mortgage and patents being necessary to assign t.0 oarry out Mortgage. He naturally did it direct! Have telegraphed him.

Edison. !

i

gines, and that in they have not a governor on them, and consequent¬ ly do not run perfectly steady. if this does not interfere with the charging of your batteries, it is the ideal power. The cat¬ alogue gives a full description and many testimonials about the engine which has been in use for many years.

The workmanship of this engine is first class, and all parts are interchangeable. I think the patents are ail oiit, and that the engines could be manufactured for much less than they could be bought from the Rider & Ericsson Co., although one of the proprietors told me that if I could use the engines in large quantities, they would

m&moTmm ca

MANUFACTURERS.

Adrian, Mich., Oct. 31st, 1901.

T. A. E. - #3,

make a special price on them.

My idea would be that this engine could be used for pumping purposes as well as for charging batteries, which would be a great advantage over the other arrangement.

I received, recently, a letter from Herman Dick, in whioh he states that you thought I wan working on a kerosene engine instead of a. steam engine. There are two or three kerosene engines in the market now, but at a much higher price, and much more trouble to run than the Rider engine. I would like to hear from you as to your opinion on this engine, and if you think it could be. used I could get one for testing or experimental purposes.

I requested Mr . Dick to find out from you what amperage and voltage the dynamo should have for charging outfit. He gave me the voltage, but not the amperage.

Hoping everything is going along nicely with you in your new factory, I remain

Very truly yours,

i charged, and discharged

using instruments of great precision. The value of the currents was obtained by reference to a standard resis¬ tance of 0.01 ohm. verified by the Board of Trade.; the voltmeter which indicated the pressure was carefully calibrated against Latimer Clarlc cells. The. results have been checked by repetition and by various indirect methods, and their accuracy very closely substantiated.

From the extreme regularity of these results, and from the proportionality of those yielded by the small and the large cells respectively, I feel sure that the work des-

methods adopted in constructing all parts of the cell, but this in itself tells in favour of the cell, f The standard automobile cell is of rectangular shape. It stands 13 inches high (overall) and measures 5.1 by 3.5 inches, horizontally. It weighs 17.8 pounds. ■

It contains 14 positive and 14 negative plates. Each plate is made of. sheet steel, nickel-plated, punched with 18 rectangular holes. In each of these holes is inserted a flat pouch or pocket containing the active material.

The walls of these pockets are perforated by exceedingly fine short slots, through which the liquid can penetrate.

material 'contained in the pocket.

Both positive and negative plates i

1.

Electrolyte .

Mechanical arrangements ■ Consequences.

External ar¬ rangements.

in respect of the active material. The poolcets on the negative plate contain finely divided iron, those on the positive contain peroxide of nickel.

The liquid is a 20^ solution of potash. This suffers no change during the action of the cell, except the loss of a small quantity of. water which is decomposed whilst the cell is being charged. As an immediate consequence, a small quantity of liquid suffices. It is wanted simply to play the part of an electrolytic conductor, and in no way to provide active material in the ordinary sense. The plates may therefore he fixed very near each other, for the narrow intervening space allows a perfectly adequate supply of potash solution.

The proximity of the plates does not apparently involve danger of short circuiting. • The plates are thin, hut being made of steel, their rigidity is exceptionally good. Mechanical stability is further assured by vul- s-aniaced rubber separators, the whole forming a compact mass, calculated- to resist all the ordinary mechanical shocks it is likely to undergo.

The only special mechanical difficulty which occurred to me was the chance that the gases evolved during a "charge" might eject some of the active material from the pockets. I have therefore watched the pockets carefully, especially during very heavy charges, without finding any evidence of loss.

Excellence of mechanical design appears also in the external arrangements. The cell is sealed in its steel case. Two stout connecting pins (from the positive and negative plates respectively) come through liquid-tight bushes of vulcanized rubber. These pins are made slightly conical, as are also the connectors which fit on them,

-v

Electrical

Qualities

Output .

and the mechanical finish and easy grip of this terminal add to the value of the battery. A further advantage lies in the fact that these connecting pins have a much higher specific conductivity than those of the ordinary type of accumulators.

On the top of the case there are also: -

(a) a spring stopper with rubber flange, covering the hole by which the electrolyte is introduced, or distilled water added from time to time.

(b) a vent hole guarded by a gravity valve. This pro¬ vides for the escape of the gas evolved during charge. The hole and valve are covered by a gauze nipple, which prevents escape of spray while allowing gas to pass. Acting on the principle of Sir Humphrey Davy’s safety lamp, the same gauze further prevents any chance of explosion should a flame be brought near to the exit.

The excellence of all these features in the design added to the nature of the materials used in construction, leads me to. conclude that the cell is structurally of a very stable character.

I came how to the electrical qualities of the cell. These are quite as good as the mechanical.

The electromotive force is 1.33 (T/.H.) volts.

The internal resistance is 0.0013 ohm.

The out-put at 60 amperes is 210 watt hours, or at the rate of 11.8 watt hours per pound of cell. Y/hen the cell is examined as to discharging value, its excellence becomes most pronounced. At high rates of discharge, rising to many times the normal , it suffers no appreciable polari¬ zation, and therefore recovers its normal voltage almost instantaneously when the current returns to an ordinary value .

These and other points are illustrated by the accom¬ panying curves.

3.

Curves1'6'6 Sheet 1 shows the pressure during discharge. Each

line corresponds to a constant current , the discharge rates varying from 30 to 200 amperes. This last is such a high rate for a cell of this size that I hesitated about trying it, hut the preliminary work indicated that my distrust had no justification. The experiment proved that the cell could stand it without injury. It took the succeeding charge in an excellent way, and yielded the 30 ampere curve immediately afterwards .

A surprising result of this set of experiments is the large relat ive output at the high discharge rates. At 120 amperes, the output in 91# of the maximum. Even at 200 amperes, the quantity (ampere-hours) is 82# of the maximum.

The following table exhibits the actual and relative output at varying discharge rates.

Discharge rate Time of in amperes. discharge	Output	in
30	5 hrs.46 mins	175
60	2 hrs . 51 mins	171
90	1 hr. 51 mins	167
120	1 hr. 21 mins	162
150	1 hr. 2 mins	154.	5
200	42 minutes	142

# of the 30 ampere output,

100

99

96.5

93.6 89 82 '

The figures in the last column are much better than those yielded by any other cell at present known.

o^the^ell. °n Sh8et 2 are giYen the results of one out of many ex-

Eapid recovery periments, intended to test the flexibility of the cell.

The standard cell was discharged, starting at 60 am¬ peres. After a time (5 minutes) the current was suddenly- increased to 230 amperes. A little later, the current

was reduced again to 60, and so oh as shown by the curve. Evidently the cell can yield this enormous current for short intervals and recover almost instantaneously^' It does not appear to he injured in any way. Subsequent charging and discharging seemed to be quite normal.

On Sheet 3 are shown curves before and after a 48 hours short circuit of a small cell. This trying experience seems to have left the cell intact. Curves B and C on this sheet show how quickly the cell picks up its normal state, even after such extreme violence, ging Bate An important point in traction cells is the rate at

which they can be charged. I have made experiments on this point and find that the Edison cell will absorb 70 to 75^ of its full charge in one hour.

Curve IV shows ; the result of one of these experiments The cell charged for one hour only, at the excess rate of 176 amperes. It was then discharged and gave date for Curve IV. This shows that it had absorbed and could deliver 124 ampere hours out of the 175 put into it at this very great rate.

I have evidence to show that where the charging current can be further increased the one hours absorption would be still greater.

The question of life has hitherto been the weakest point of automobile cells, and the tests on this point ought to be as searching as on those I have mentioned. The final test can be made on the road only, and as yet I have not had an opportunity of observing such a test. But. the laboratory work has given me substantial grounds for anti¬ cipating a much longer life than usual.

These are as follows:

(1) After three months work, with very many charges and discharges the capacity of the cells remain the same as at

rfn+^-n + n Hibbert. The fall of potential at this high cur

3l}ovm t0 *>e equal to current x internal ! B ,xt 'therefore allows no room for polarization, a

most surprising result) Signed W. Hibbert.

the 'beginning. It has neither increased dr diminished.

A change in either way would suggest some source of in¬ stability, but so far I have not detected any difference.

This is a good preliminary ground for anticipating long life.

(2) Examination of the plates after three months work, does not indicate any signs of corrosion. The plates are as even in surface and as rigid in strength as at the beginning.

(3) The standard cell on which I have been mainly working has already been subject to the vicissitudes of travel. It was sent to me from America via Paris, and has therefore undergone two t ran- shipment s , together with many loadings and unloadings, and journeys by rail and road.

This long and varied journey was made in its ordinary working conditions, the plates and fittings in the case fixed as in use. The only difference was one that might be ex¬ pected to injure the coll - it travelled without the liquid, so that the plates were more or less exposed to air.

On its arrival, having in it no liquid except that which had trickled off the plates to the bottom, it was joined to a voltmeter and gave 1.33 volts.

The full quantity of electrolyte was now put in and tne cell given a first charge and discharge. The output following this first charge was 174 ampere-hours, a figure identical with that obtained after further treatments.

In other words, the long journey and the simultaneous long exposure to air had not injured the cell one whit.

A further advantage possessed by this Edison cell is the fact that it does not appear to suffer from repeated discharges down to a very low pressure. The small cells have been discharged to 0.3 volt very frequently and are not injured by it as far as I can discover. '

Closely connected with this is the fact that it is not necessary or even urgent to charge a cell soon after a discovery. It is not injured if it remains discharged.

Two of the cells have been left discharged for very appre¬ ciable periods of time without suffering in any detectable way.

Experiments are proceeding to test how far the cell can retain a charge . Up to date, the evidence seems very favour¬ able.

In comparing this cell with the other traction cells, some difficulty arises from the varied aims of those who males them. Some of the lead cells made for traction are made with a complete disregard of life. By increasing the strength of acid used, by reducing the strength of the sup¬ ports, and by thinning down all connections, it is possible to obtain from lead cells an output nearly equal to that found by me in the case of the Edison cells. But these devices confessedly shorten the life of such cells. Com¬ pared with these short lived cells, the Edison holds its own and more than its own, with respect to output. In life, it would show veiy great advantage.

If for comparison, we tales a traction cell made by responsible companies who appreciate all the points requir- • ing attention, I find this Edison cell has an output per pound ranging from 25 to 50j! greater, and- a probability of much greater life.

My conclusion therefore is that the Edison cell shows'.

(a) Greater output per unit of weight.

(b) Greater flexibility of working.

(c) Greater working range of current.

(d) Greater ease and safety of handling.

(e) Greater stability, both mechanical and electrical.

7 .

1901. Battery - Storage - Foreign (D-01-04)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the patenting, manufacture, and sale of Edison storage batteries in Europe. Most of the correspondence is by or addressed to the following individuals: Robert Rafn, who assisted attorneys working to obtain patents in continental Europe; Herman E. Dick, who was authorized by Edison to exploit the battery commercially throughout Europe; Willis N. Stewart, who was seeking to purchase both the Edison and the competing Jungner patents; and Sigmund Bergmann, who began to manufacture Edison storage batteries at his factory in Berlin.

Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. Among the items not selected are foreign-language descriptions of the battery and copies of foreign patent applications.

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Fo toy ,18ih,, 1901

Homan E*hest Dick,

Chicago, Ills-,

Doar Sir jp . ■

Uy proposition in regal’d to tho sale and working of my now storage battory,in countries outside of North and South America, is this,*- -You to procoal immediately after satisfactory tofcfcs aro made, to Europo,and ontor into negotiations for tho sale of tho patents or rights, and to giro yoUr undivided attention to tho objoct in view, until- all tho patents, are disposed Of in a manner satisfactory to myself, Y oh aro to pay all expenses of

ovary, kind in carrying, out tills unaprstanding, and any cash, stock, or other Valuable conciaorationa which in tho course of negotiate ions you, ,aro -compelled; to give array to effect a solo of the Mgits*ma any other . oxponsen arc to'- bo paid out of your Share of the prdceods from .the, oajte- yh^ehlfjShall givo you a» your portion of tho profits from tho O3splo4ntion« of said patents, r

•/ 5310 congidoroition carrying out the

above rocitod transactions, is onophalf of all the proceeds received in cashes to <2c or other considerations, except' royaitioB*on which I will allou« you_one-third instead of onc-half*

, Fricos, 8$d conditions of salo, f or each country must be satis¬ factory ;.t,p me bjBf^^ any committments pr binding undorstandinrS.o’r oantraots are madoy , ,

-- . i/: Yours $rulyy

February 15th, 1901-

lo m om it May Coneomjp

Kr’*!Iomai Ernest Dick, la visiting Europe in connection vith th0 “^ storage battery, Which T horn recently devised, with a view of exploiting the' sono eomeroiallr.

Som® InJ'&rmati oh of a nsw ele6t(£i& BatifPFy Jbate cbm® into my possession^ is send, you $ at the tfehman together

with some infejnsation that baa heaphsd me ^ppm 4&rad®n ghottb it*

I had hopes o£ -haing able to get pOssoatA'Cii of this jri'opatty,* hut they seem to he $&#!&$ an enoraotnS $ot. #.%$ 9Q %

declining to negO elate fuhthar^

rn*te ^itfiJ^fl/1-

New York Office, 44 Broad St. May 3, 1901.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Dear Sir:--

Orange, N. J.

1 This will serve to introduce Mr. 0. S. Drummond, about

whom I talked with Mr . Randolph over the. telephone to-day. Mr. Drummond is an active Direotor in the British Electric Traction Co., and wishes to talk to you regarding storage batteries for their, use. Any courtesy extended to Mr. Drummond will be fully appreciated by the General Electric Company, as well as by .

Yours truly,

^’omde/v, d?oU/i<m

A?o/.

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Maguire 8c Baucus,

Electric Railway Supplies.

5, Warwick Court, High Holborn, LONDON, w.c. 8th June 1901.

CAHALL WATER-TUBE BOILERS.

Hermann E. Dick, Esq. ,

c/o Thomas A. Edison, Esq., ORANGE ,

New Jersey

U. S. A.

RITER-CONLEY Mf? C? STEEL CONSTRUCTION.

M? GUI RE TRUCKS.

PHONO-ELECTRIC WIRE FOR

TROLLEY, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH.

My Dear Dick,

I notice by the New York papers that the Edison Battery Co. has been incorporated, and that you are now going ahead with the manufacturing of the battery.

I have already talked with two or three people here with reference to their taking up this battery for France and Belgium, and they are extremely interested in the matter, and are anxious to get copies of report on tests which you have already made; also, on what basis they will be able to secure the rights on the battery for this territory.

SH EET,BAR & ROD COPPER

VITRIFI.EDTILE CONDUIT.

"armorite"

INTERIOR CONDUIT.

OVERHEAD MATERIAL,

They are very much interested to know about the life of the battery; whether it is as durable as the ordinary storage battery cell, or has a longer life. These parties mean business, and I would like to treat with them as early as you can make it possible for me to do so. As soon as you are ready,

therefore, to name prices for this territory I will take the matter up at once.

I think also, that if you could let me have a prioe on Germany and. Russia I can in all probability sell the battery for. you ift these ooonfttp4.es. We

have specially good connections in Rusftia, and have Just closed a very important deal there with some Of the leading Government Officials. Mr. Maguire has

just returned from St. Petersburg on this deal, and will probably go back there again in the course of the next few weeks.

I am confident that we can do as well or better for you in Russia than any other parties you have in mind. If you have found any difficulty in securing your Russian patent, I am confident we can be of considerable assistance to you in this line as the parties we know are very prominent in Russia.

Await ihg . the favour of your early reply, and with very kind regards,

Yours sincerely.

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CflH ALL WATER-TUBE . BOILERS.

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RITER-CONLEYM57C? STEEL CONSTRUCTION.

M9GUIRE TRUCKS.

3)ear Sir,

Replying to yours of the 17th June, I would state that the parties I referred to in mv letter of the 8th June were the head of one of the largest electrical concerns in 35tirope and his electrical engineer, who is also recognised as being one of the highest authorities in Europe in his line, with whom I have had business relations for some time.

PHONO-ELECTRIC WIRE FOR

TROLLEY, TELEPHONE. TELEGRAPH.

The matter of the Edison battery came up in the course of a conversation, and I simp3.y repeated to him the statements regarding the“ battery which had appeared in the public Press. I was asked if I could obtain the information which I requested you to send me, and 1 stated that I would write v0u. You will see, therefore, that what I stated was no breach of confidence in anv wav.

SH EET.BAR & ROD COPPER

VITRIFIEDTILE CONDUIT.

“ARMOR ITE" INTERIOR CONDUIT.

As you seem worried, however, lest I mav have Baid something which may injure "my good stand¬ ing with the people with whom I liave talked" I will show them your letter without further oomment.

, J- think in fairness to myself you. should withdraw the entirely uncalled for reference coupling myself with Col. Gourahd, and that the spirit, of vour letter was not warranted by any action I have taken in this natter.

OVERHEAD MATERIAL,

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August 14, 1901.

Ifi-. H. E. Dick,

Edison laboratory ,

Orange, N. J,

I was sorry to find you away from your office and not expected to return for several weeks, as I wanted to have another talk with you regarding the disposition of your new battery in Germany and on the Continent before I sailed for Berlin. I hope that we will be able to take this matter up with you as soon as you are ready to place the battery upon the narket and we shall be much pleasedto have you call upon us in Berlin during your European trip this fall. In the meantime we should liketo keep in touch " of any developments along the line of my recent conversation with both yourself and Mr. Edison at your laboratory in Orange.

Yours very truly,

. Represent inrf/kTXJCtmitw.Tm. “ EEEETBICITATS GESELLSCHAPT, BERLIN.

[CA. AUGUST 1901]

TRANSLATION. \J

Criticisms:; on the Edison Accumulator.

A criticism of Edison's Iron-Nickel Accumulator, which makes the value of this invention rather doubtful, as given by Dr. Peters, in the 1 Oentralbl. ftir Akk. und Blemsntenkunde" .

He estimates that the certainly favorable statement of Kennelly there are necessary 9 4dn active superficies in the Edition Accumulator, against 5.67 qdm in -a good transportable traction Dead Accumulator, in order to receive 1 kg cell weight 30.65 Killowatt hours.

A Battery’;.: which should produce a certain amount of Electric energy must be double the size when Niokelsuperoxyde-i ron-Elements are used, or it must be according to the size of cells or according to their number, an though Leadsuperoxyde -Lead-Elements were used.

As a general rule they will have to enlarge the number of cells by tractioij batteries, as the Automobile Moto-T needs a certain width and the useful unloading space in the Edisom Accumulator with 1,1 V is also only half of the generally good traction cells which amount 1 t 95 to 1,97 V. It is very questionable whether it will be an easy matter to obtain double the room in the Automobile than was necessary thus far, without its occupying unnecessary dimensions. It is very doubtful whether any weight has been saved thus far through the new accumulator because the specific weight of nickel and iron is hardly 2/3 from that of lead (nickel 6,5 to 8,9 s;teal 7,6 to 7,8 Lead 11,37 and Leadsuperoxyde 7 round) . Thus far all publications concerning the Edison Accumulator are ver p reticent as to its usefulness . Dr. Peters tests with remarks from Reed which he made in discussing Kenelly's speech^

make it appear very probable that the loading space will reach nearly 2 V., which is double of the unloading space. For this reason alone you could not count any more than 50 pOt. W.-st. hound, beneficial effect, and even if the loading expense is not very high for automobile purposes, yet an advancement of about 20 pGt will be realized against the Lead-Accumulator, because the relief is made useless by the other mentioned benefits. Still more will the useful effeot have to be brought down when the iron-oxyde will be reduced badly.

A revolution in the making of Accumulators, has not been caused by the Edison Apparatus, as it is wished for in the interest of the Automobile Industry.

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Bergmann-

Elekfricitats - (SI erke Jlktien gesellsch aft.

Maschinen =Abtheilung.

u. s. A.

Dear Sir,

I think it will prove advantaceous to have a few complete electrons for ^ demonetration before the Patent Office , as well as it will he of interest to the Gentlemen connected with the batte¬ ry case to see them .

I only broueht^for my experiments ^electroes of experimental size, and therefore bec you , if you find, it advisable , and have some to spare, kindly send me a few , for instance of those nickel electrons prepared shortly before youa returned from Canada.

Yours very respectfully

i OcA- >1* l IT]

Hotel SaxoLia Berlin Bov. 12th 1901

Mr . Thoms A. E cl ft s o n

Llewellyn i Pc

As Mr. Dyer will havepold you] I sent to him on Oct . 29th a cable sciyiny: "Biisiness finished, w7a t next?". It appeared to DrfSell and to] myself at that time,, that there would be little tuore work of any importance for me for the following 6-10 weeps -the] time usually required by the examiner to go throngh^abpi to ejet in} the cases.

In order, phen, to prevent ' that I shovld.be nearly idle for 18— 20 dckjst -i. e . - till I could get orders by mail from America ,/ sent said message and received in ansvjer the cable, known to yon: "Assist Norway, Sweden, Austria, advise Brandon Paris letter to-day. Dyer”

On the same day I sent a copy of this cable to Messrs. Brandon and put myself to their disposal, explaining to them the purpose of my presence in Europe; on Bov. 6th I got an answer informing me or, the state of affairs in the different countries and ending thus:

"Therefore, so far, your attention to these matters is not needed for the present. Will yon kindly let ns know your address at all times so thht vje may communicate with yon”.

I According

According to this I had only to wait for Mr . Dyer's announced letter, and, as just at that time, vxi received the. examiner's infomations in the Cd-Cn-case, and some days later in the Mg-case, I had plenty to do, going through these, ca¬ ses and composing the. amendments with Dr. Sell .

To-day then, I received Mr. Dyer's letter giving good and clear information and again directing me. to Messrs. Bran¬ don. As, however, I should be of little direct use in Paris,

I prefer to write and ash of letters of introduction to the Vienna attorneys, and shall then on the receipt of such let¬ ters leave for Vienna Jlfy present work in this city will be finished by to-morrow, and_I shall not he needed here till in about 3 weeks,, when we get the examiner’s decissions in the Ni-Fa cases,

I send unclosed my translations of the amendments of Oct. Bdth, which yon will probably find a little limited; but still I think, it must be considered good luck, if the inflexible German office will allow them without further chan¬ ge.

The latest informations in the Cn-Cd-case, for instance, were so contrary,, that Dr. Sell believes that he will be able to use them, if needed, as a good argument against the exami¬ ner before the next instance, in tho Fe-Ni-case.

The examiner is, as I mentioned before, a singular eeo- I . ception

caption, as far as lack of good will and intelligence is concerned.

Regarding the Jmgnar cell I am informed by a friend, just coming from Stockholm, that there has been formed a 100,000 dollars company to the manufacturing of same in -JonAkopring, Sweden, and that their automobiles may be seen in Stockholm., climbing the steep hills of that city at an im¬ pressive speed, and carrying a surprisingly low weight bat¬ tery. This is not very encouragoing, as regards the annihi¬ lation of Jnngner's patent in England: but in the Cd-Cn-case, there has been cited ago inst ns an Am. Pat. by Fanre Ho . 389882 of Sept. 68, describing and claiming a principle of which Jnngner's principle is nothing but a special case. According to German law, this allovjs the annihilation of Jnngner's patent, and thus there appears to be no danger in that respect in this country. How correct this is in case of England I, of course, do riot know, hut, at all events, I mention same to Mr. Dyer in my letter to-day.

V/ith best wishes for - your health I remain

Yours very respectfully

translations

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Dec. 9th. 19ol.

Orange ITew Jersey , U.S.A.

We received your memo\of Nov. 27th. regarding cash

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advanced to your Mr. Rafn . We note that we should not advance him

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of money adyafi^d^^^Sn-we-i^lWrefhreluivanc e him money within thaft

limit ^ j/in case he,..sh'oijld!*T^irirh~it-.?_ .

i — - Please answer at your earliest convenience .

YourB faithfully BERGMANN-ELEKTRICITfiTS-WERKE _

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1901. Edison, T.A. - General (D-01-06)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to a variety of subjects. Included are documents that deal with more than one subject or that do not fall under the main subject categories in the Document File. Among the items for 1901 are a letter from longtime Edison associate Sigmund Bergmann; a telegram from Guglielmo Marconi; and Edison's comments on physicist Henry Rowland following Rowland's death.

All of the documents have been selected.

Howard A, Colby relating to a building for reoreation purposes which he offers to ereot and present t.o Llewellyn Park.

Mr. Colby, in tendering this generous gift, does bo without imposing any conditions except that the building shall be suitably heated and provided with a custodian at reasonable times.

If the offer is accepted it will be necessary for those interested to become responsible55 for the cost of maintaining the building, as the condition of the Llewellyn Park treasury at the present time will not justify the Board in incurring any additional fixed" charges. The estimated cost of maintenance is not likely to be large.

We deBire an expression of opinion from you as to the advisability of accepting Mr. Colby's offer, and should be glad to hear from you at an early date.

YourB truly,

BOARD OP MANAGERS •

[ENCLOSURE]

[Copy]

February 11th, 1901.

To the Board of Managers,

Llewellyn Park, Orange, N. J.

Gentlemen

Referring to the proposition which I have heretofore infor¬ mally made in regard to donating to the Park a building for certain recreation purposes, I write to say that my idea of such a building is as follows: It would be a building especially for winter use, made of

brick with a trussed roof, about 150 by 70 feet. In order that it might be useful for tennis, it will be about 40 feet in height, with glass skylights. It could also be used readily for dancing purposes, and would be equipped with a small stage for dramatic and other enter¬ tainments.

The conditions of such a gift, which would be unrestricted, would entail the maintenance of the plant by the Park authorities, so that it would be suitably heated and provided with a custodian at all reasonable times, for the amusement of those entitled to avail them¬ selves of its privileges. I might add that the building will be provided with a steam heating apparatus so that it might be used throughout the the winter season.

My purpose in writing is to ascertain whether your Board can set apart for the purposes of such a building a plot of ground, and if so, whether they are willing to accept the building on the condi¬ tions I have stated.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) HOWARD A. COLBY.

IPi*t>A' c*U-Ov\S

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Park Avenue Hot'e^p/v v-d

Few York, Feu. 3.1, 1901'.

. EBISOT.Esq. Orange, F.J.

My Book, “Flame, Electricity and the Camera”, toward which you gave me generous aid, has had a gratifying sale. The publishers-, Double- day, Page <1 Co., wish me to write them a second hook on IliVEiTTIOI? AI7D DISCOVERY. In writing its chapters I would he glad to: describe- your present work in the separation of iron from ore. Indeed, anything you care to say about your other achievements, present or past, will ho- of interest to the reading public.. If I may trouble you- by calling at your laboratory, pray name any time convenient to yourself, and say within hciw many minutes I am to bid- you farewell.

With high regard,

0fajvjv-

XP^%\ -^r ’"Sr.:.

■'■ N- 1 Yj^ Thomas A,r Bdiaon, Esq.., U &*-"** "77” <- -/ 4 ’

" \ (Hew Jersey. U.S.A'.

/. ] . ...,„.<• ,.,;rrr

Antwort erbittm an

Abtheilung M

I telegraphed you a few days ago £

follows, - "Any new German Patent applications you are making advise you strongly to have attended to here by Seubel." which no dount you understood. I simply want to impress upon you that you must let your German Patents go through our hands if you do not want to make the same experiences as you did with a number of your German applications. That what I suggest is of the greatest importance to you we have proved through the Ore Milling cases, which nearly all went through successfully in spite of prior publication.

You are no doubt aware that the Giant Rolls Patent has been

rr ('^f

kin*

Of course you understand there will be our part besides the official fees, and

Seubel and myself, our <

i Patent Rawer and £

to take care of your interests.

Bergmann-Elektromotoren- und Dynamo -Werke Aktiengesellschaft.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq. Orange, cnntd. 7th. March. 1901.

The pleasant news you have indicated in your last letter that Dick would soon bring something over that would please me has put me on the tip toe of expectation.

I oan only repeat to you that if you have something really good, that I and my concern here can, as far as Germany and Austria are concerned, handle any enterprise and make more money in quicker time for you than any one else on the continent.

We have at our command the most important Banks in Germany, therefore give me the first chance in Germany and Austria and your interests I assure you, will be well taken care of.

DIRECTOR’S ROO/RS,

r h — Mr , ^ibley ^olle9e> iji?iu<?rsity. «==*-.

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^ <ie^?- vJSUJU. ‘

V-' vv.-^COU t"Y oJLt-^M C^iJ «_Ar4.f' (T ^‘"T *-'-£>

Where is^our wife’s nephew and whatis he doing ? ' /i-t* We. wo /vtrvK.* t/p^L, i .o»t(. w~ (_.U i-O*. ->~'-<'j When ishe coming back to finilh his Job at' Cornell ? Cannot you or J !m

k ,

Edison write)ne about hlun andhlsplnns and of youijorher .plf&is for him ?

I think he^ju|^-have^|iic|e|Q point J?romwhich it wouldbeproper for him ^yJbJi&^ac^a^icompletA hiswprk . Is not that business for which you drew him out iqsacU4alfep#%gfta t hecan leave it long enough to finish the

I have not heard fromyou for a long time . I hope that you and. Mrs Edison are well and happy and that the worldis kind to you both inall

ways . I am still hoping for a visit to Cornell from you and there is quite as rauchhere for you to see and hear about as ever. 1 expect, when

you cane, to find injrourtrunk , t oo , that bust that you were-to give me so long ago and perhaps sameof the relics of earlier days and illustratioi

of your "History oflnventions" that I could not get you quite to promie* . though this, of all placesinthe world, is the place for them - theoldestj#

and the la? gas— t school of' electrical engineering inthe country .

But whether you come with or witout them ,you will be welcome notwithstanding your long waiting .

Very sinorely yours

THE WESTERN UWTOItf TELEGRAPH COMPANY,

- - INCORPORATED - -

'■ 21,000 OFFICES IN AMERICA. CABLE SERVICE TO ALL THE WORLD.

-TUto Company TttANSMITSonclDEMVEIlSmessaBca only on conmtIonBllmltInBll>ltobUily,J.lili>!.lilivnl»cnus™n(iHl to bv II, oraiJuroflliofollowlnirn, Plan™

CThli,°”^^EKPEATED°»|ES^p°rnj^^^^by ot u,o soDder, umleftho cimlltlons namwl above.

RECEIVED !*V: j 9G

Dated. /> .: f . . '

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<^r

Editorial Rooms W.D. WEAVER.

ELECTRICAL WORLD

ENGINEER

120 LIBERTY ST. NEW YORK.

Thos. A. SdlBon, Esq.,

Menlo Park, Orange, N. j.

Dear Mr. Edison

I have been very muo ed/£o note the enolosed

matter in the New York Journal afid must confess that I

cannot understand it. I have Mr. Pish, who is very muoh

distressed that suoh a thing s ear in puhlio prints, and

who, from what 1 know of him, the last man to want to

step into your shoes, if'Jfils s were true. I am not saying

anything about thevmatter in t: this week other than to

note the fact of the G. E. ole t I thought I ought to drop

you a line so that in case yoj/ nything to be said we might

understand each other.

Believe me, with egards and best wishes,

May 15th, IS 01,

[ENCLOSURE]

EDISON PUT OUT OF

Frederick P. Fish Elected a Director in His Place at | the Company’s Annual Meeting in Schenectady Yesterday. . '• ,

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MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS & DRUGGISTS, Wholesale oil ana Colouriuen,

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Warehouses Carver Street. /la ■ft'

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[ATTACHMENT]

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Orange, N J. , July 26, 1901.

Thomas A. Edison, EBq. , /‘‘TT^rT

Chautauqua, N. Y. ( _

Hear Mr. Edison:

You will remember that sometime ago Mr* Eoley, Super¬ intendent of Telegraph of the H. 1, & W. R. R., talked to you about a scheme that they had in mind of train despatching hy means of telephones, instead of telegraph, and they wanted to know if some connection could not be made with the phonograph so that a record could be kept of all orders. You stated to him, as I understand it, that such a thing was feasible. They are now very anxious to know what, if anything, oan be done. Hid you ever give the matter any further attention, and can any¬ thing be done until you get back? Mr. Eoley has telephoned to me in regard to the matter and I should like to give him some sort of a reply. Please answer on the back of this in enolosed envelope.

Yours very truly,.

[ON BACK OF PRECEDING PAGE]

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[ATTACHMENT]

Fils EDISON *—

Tjiis relates to a new method of telephone despatches instead of telegraph, that Mr. Edison was v/orking on about the time the lett er' was written— the latter end of July 1901.

Enc-12

‘ ^he Society of the P|ew Ifork Mospital, '

• J HOUSE OF RELIEF, 67 Hudson St.,

r y New YorkTl2^.Z^. . 190 /

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HOUSE OF RELIEF, 67 Hudson St.,

New York, . . . 190

[ATTACHMENT]

£ct

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

$400. is subscribed for the purpose of assisting the beneficiary in some kind of business. On this list of subscriptions appears your name. Personally I know nothing about the case, but presume you investigated it before you subscribed. Would it be asking too much to let me have what information you can concerning the party. I do not want to see anyone in the electrical business suffer, especially one of the pioneers, if I can be of assistance. Thanking you in advance for your courtesy, I remain,

5f,WfA'S +. jg/

c*U«t« /■ A ’v ' -

A/ A

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.■ A Jf' ./ ^COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY A ^

THE CITY 0F NEW YORK ^ ^

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ir. Thomas A. Edison, Orange, N. J.

-r

’V

Deo. 16, 1001.

The Eleotrioal Engineering Department of Columbia University now lacks the following important pieces of apparatus, whioh are essential to the equipment of a first class eleotrioal laboratory.

1 Storage battery and attachments $1,500.

1 Three-phase generator and attachments 1,500.

2Motor-dynamcj[sets for lecture demonstrations 1,000.

3 Single, two and three-phase motors 750.

4 Direct current machines for regular use in

laboratory 1,000.

Laboratory standards of voltage, currents

resistance, inductance, capacity, etc. 2,500.

Lecture models 1,250.

Installation of above apparatus 500.

Total $10,000.

It is out of the question, at the present time, for the University itself to appropriate the whole or any considerable portion of the sum required to purchase the above apparatus, and it is not like¬ ly to be in a position to do so for several years to come. Out of its own resources the University is able to make only a small allowance to eaoh of its fifty departments. This is barely sufficient to cover the cost of supplies, repairs, and very small additions to equipment. Exper-

-2- )

ienoe has shown that manufacturers are willing to make small donations of samples and special forms of apparatus, but they do not feel warranted in giving large pieces of standard machinery. The numerous educational •eduoafet&ntrl institutions throughout the country are constantly asking foA-' gifts of this kind, so that manufacturers have found it necessary to make a general refusal. In view of these facts the Department finds that the only available means of obtaining the facilities which it needs so much is to appeal to the generosity of its friends.

In the remarkable progress of electrical soienoe and its applications during the past twenty years, the United States has taken the leading part, and New York has been and is now the headquarters of that leadership. It seems appropriate, therefore, that the principal ed¬ ucational institution in or near the city should possess a well equipped eleotrioal laboratory. Each year it would directly benefit more than one hundred electrical engineering students, and nearly three hundred students in mechanical, civil, and mining engineering, and in chemistry. Such a laboratory exerts also a less direot, but very important influ¬

ence on scientific and industrial progre O'/ COAjl tc A

(j-c tc ne,c*xtk. £***

iWxv

rulv vours. '

Very truly yours

ELECTRICAL WORLD ^3 ENGINEER

■xV-c ..2 > /par

LLEWELLYN PARK.

Orange, N. J., December 30, 1901.

You are hereby notified that a meeting of per¬ sons owning land subject to assessment will be held on Monday, the 13th day of January next, being the second Monday in the month, at the residence of Benjamin Douglass, Jr., in Llewellyn Park, that being the place fixed by the Trustees, when a Com¬ mittee of Managers will be chosen for the year next l,,(’ P<*t ' i 8STHJ Jr

ensuing, and the annual tax or assessment fixed ; and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the said meeting.

Wm. Read Howe, Secretary.

1901. Edison, T.A. - Clubs and Societies (D-01-09)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's membership and activities in social clubs and professional societies. Included are solicitations from the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Oranges and the Franklin Murphy Young Voters League, both of which received donations from Edison.

All of the documents have been selected.

q/Cbue address: n

William J. Hammer,

CONSULTING ELECTRICAL ENGINEER,

922 HAVEMEYER BUILDING,

26 CORTLANDT ST.

NEW YORK, _ I.®1?..! . Uth. 1901. .

. 190

Xhorr.so A. Edison, Esq. ,

Orange, N. j.

My dear Mr. Edison :-

Po-rir.lt me to extend my 'he arty congratulations and host Tiiihes on this your birthday./ Y/hen I saw you recently, I men¬ tioned that the American Institute of Electrical Engineers would hold a "Oonversazionne” about the middle of Larch, and X was led to hope from your endorsement of this idea, and from other remarks, ihat you would perhsjy* he able to contribute something to this first »Sonversazioiw%» of the Institute. I now write to state that in order to gjtve additional time, and seoure the full suc¬ cess of the »lonwfc‘sasio?uw“, the iommittee has decided to make the date April. 4-|3th, and it will probabl/held at Columbia Univ¬ ersity, -here tfoiitimous and alienating currents, and other fa¬ cilities willibe accorded us. You know how eminently successful V336 ent ort adnment s have been abroad, and our Committee is ex¬ ceedingly anKious to make this one, given by the American Insti¬ tute very successful, and a credit to the Institute, and all oon- oerW. Invitations will be extended to people of prominence, connected Mth the state and Municipal Government, and others, and the committee are encouraged to believe that some of our most prominent j members will opntribute features of great interest and as the data haB been changed, the 0) remittee also hope

novelt:

T. A. Edison, Beg.,

Hesailyn Park,

Now Jersey, U.S.A.

Sir,

I. have the honour to enolose this Congress shioh sill lndloate which have already been made* 3rd., 4th and 5th of September of

SC0I1AND. js'sth April 1901

a Provisional Preliminary Programme foi > to iron its aoope and the arrangements TheP Meetings will be held here on the

It sill be seenfrom the Programme that the Oongneaa sill .be supported

by the prinolpal Engineering Sooleties in Orest Britain, and eaoh is in .

oharge of that Seotloa of the Congress shioh deals sith . the partloulsr Branoh of the. Snbjeot in shioh it is interested. Delegates from foreign Governments and Sooietles and other distinguished foreign Engineers have been t nominated as Honorary Members of the Congress. t h%ve been disabled'.: to

inform yon that yon have :beea nominated as an Honorary Member, and to .express the hope that yon sill be able to attend and take part in the Vestings.

If it is yonr intention to be present at the Congreee I shall ;be glad to forward to you when it is ready a more pomplete programme and a lint of Hotels and their terms.

itate :lf yonr i

address and titles : as written

[ENCLOSURE]

* INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING CONGRESS (GLASGOW), 1901.

3rd, 4th , 5th one. 6th of SEPTEMBER, igoi.

PROVISIONAL PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME.

HONOBABY PBESIDENT The Bight Honourable the Lora Km, tin, G.O.V.O.

HONOBABY VIOE-PBEBIDENTS The hfoat Noble the Dokb op Abovll.

The Bight Honourable the Lord Blythbwood.

The Bight Honourable the Loud Pbovost of Edinburgh.

The Honourable the Loud Pbovost of Glasgow.

PBESIDENT

Jambs Manberqh, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. VICE-PBESIDENTS ■

The Bight Hon. the Eabl op Glasgow, G.O.M.G., President of the Institution of Naval Arohlteots. William H. Maw, President of the Institution of Meohanloal Engineers.

William Whitwell, President of the Iron and Steel Institute.

Professor John Pbiibt, D.So., P.B.S., President of the Institution of Eleotriool Engineers.

Sir William Thomas Lewis, Bart., President of the Institution of Mining Engineers.

Robbbt Oaibd, LL.D., President of the Institution of Engineers ona Shipbuilders in Scotland.

Colonel J. M. Denny, M.P., President of the Institution of Marine Engineers.

Professor B. L. Weiqhton, Yioe-President of the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders.

James S. Dixon, President of tbo Mining Institute of Sootland.

HONOEAEY MEMBEBS

Delegates of Poreign Governments and SooletieB, and others.

GENEBAL COMMITTEE

Jambs Manbbboh, Chairman. Bobert Oaibd, LL.D., Vice-Chairman.

Members of Oounoil of the Institutions undertaking, the work of the Sootions, and of the ohiof Looal Institutions, including the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland, West of Scotland Iron and Stool Institute, Mining Institute of Scotland, and tbo Glasgow Local Seotion of the Institution of Eleotrioal Engineers; a number of representative engineers from Glasgow ond the neighbourhood, and from various engineering oentros at home and abroad; and the members of the London Committee.

LONDON COMMITTEE Sit Douolab Pox, Chairman.

The Presidents, Past Presidents and Vioo-Prosidents of the Institutions of Civil Engineers, of Mechanical Engineers, of Naval Architects, of Eleotrical Engineers and of the Iron and Stoel

Institute ; representatives of the other leading Institutions in England, and the following representatives

[ENCLOSURE]

of the Glasgow Local Executive Committee, Archibald Ban, D.Bo., Robert Oaird, LL.D., H. A. Mavor ; J. H. T. -Tudsbery, D.So., Honorary Seoretary, the Institution of Oivii Engineers, Westminster, London, S.W.

EXEGUTIVE COMMITTEE Robert Oaird, LL.D., Chairman.

Local members nominated by the General Committee 1 and in addition the Chairmen and Honorary Secretaries of Sections, and the following Members nominated by the London Committee — Sir Douglas Pox, E. P. Martin, E. Windsor Riohards, Alexander Siemens, EranoiB Elgar, LL.D,, Thomas Evans, J. W. Helps, 0. H. Lowe, and J. H. T. Tudsbory, D.Bo. .

GLASGOW LOOAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Robert Oaird, LL.D., Chairman.

RECEPTION COMMITTEE and SUB-OOMMITTEES Oonvenbrb: — Professor Archibald Barr, D.So., A. S. Biooart, Professor J. H,' Bileb, Robert Oaird, LL.D., James S. Dixon, W. Poulis, J. G. Jenkins, 0. 0. Lindsay, H. A. Mavor, A. B. M'Donald, J. P. M'Intosh, James Rowan.

GENERAL SEORETARY J. D. Cobmaok, The University, Glasgow.

DATE AND PLACE OP MEETINGS.

The meetings for the reading of papers will bo held within the University BuildingB, whioh are in immediate proximity to the Exhibition. As a rule the Seotions will meet on the forenoons of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 3rd, 4th, and 6th September, 1901, at 10 a.m. Members of tho Congress will be entitled to attend the meetings of any or all of the Sections.

VISITS TO WORKS.

ViBits to Works in Glasgow and neighbourhood will be arranged by Sub-Oommittees representing the several seotionB ; but the works will be open to all Members of the Congress. Many works will bo open to Members at any time during the Congress week; but speoial visits are being arranged for the afternoons of the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and at other times. The arrangements for some Seotions will inolude. visits to the Exhibition under competent guides.

. SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

The Honourable the Lord Provost and the Corporation of Glasgow have announced their intention of receiving and entertaining the Members of the Congress. Evening Entertainments and River and other Excursions are being arranged. Excursions only will be arranged for Priday, 6th September.

PUBLICATIONS.

. Eaoh Member will be entitled, without ohorge, to a Volume of Abstracts of the Papers read in all the Seotions. Where not otherwise arranged for; the Papers read in a Seotion will be printed in the Transactions of the Sooiety in ohorge of that Seotion, and the Transactions of eaoh Seotion may be purchased separately. - , 3

the-Congress-weekr-will-be-Half-a-Guinea. *** *^6 Exhibition-during

k detailed Programme will be issued later.

[ENCLOSURE]

SECTIONS.

The following are the Seotiona and the Offloe-Bearera nominated, or the InatitutionB whioh have been invited and have deoided to take eharge : —

Section I. — RAILWAYS.

Chairman, Sir Benjamin Bakeb, K.O.M.G., E.B.S.

Honorary Seorotary, B. Elliott Coon®, 8 The Sanotnary, Westminster, London, S.W.

Soction II.— WATERWAYS AND MARITIME WORKS.

Chairman, Sir John Wolfe Barry, K.O.B., E.B.S.

Honorary Seorotary, L. F. VEnNON-HAnoouni, 6 Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London, S.W.

Section III.— MEOHANIOAL.

The Institution of Moohanioal Engineers.

Chairman, William H. Maw, President of the Institution of Meohanioal Engineers. Honorary Seorotary, Edoaii Worthington, Institution of Meohanioal Engineers, Storey’s Gate,

St. JamoB’s Park, London, S.W.

TELEPHONE, 1496

RbstFdnndr Smith Gor:.’

MAKERS OF

*11 sragKs;,

37 to 43JJWNING ST, Cor. BEDFORD,

WewYork,

May 18th, 1901.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

West Orar^e,

Dear Sin ~ "

Mr,-,R^chai’ d Colgato informs me that yo^^ave renewed^for the current year, your annual pledge of $100.00 to the Young Men's Christian Association of the Oranges. We are endeavoring to aooumulate some funds before the vaoation season fairly opens, whioh will help us in getting through' the sumner without borrowing. If quite convenient, we will greatly appreciate a check for the amount of your subscription, to reaohus between this date and the first of ’June, if practicable.

Thanking you -for ’the practical Interest you have s^own for many years in our work, I remain, •

W-

o & ’(kjuijLf, ^)r-e

The Franklin flurphy Young Voters League,

iSitaia*/., i/K , _ Pot. 84th. _ _

- Mr.. Thomas. A. __Edi8on^>*^>» }	f i / /!
— — - - -West. Or.ange,— N.		■^1
.Dear- Sir-:.- ....._ _ *	\| _ * f

.Mr..._W.eber,_.._the_.Chalrman_of _our._Einanoe._Cofflmit.tee,_who-pre.sent8.

r — . «ihis-le-t.ter.....to.-y.ou,._wlll.._explain_in_de.tail..o.UE-.p.lun8..and._inten lions.. _

— . . -We_have- organized- on -a--permanent.-.ba6iB.-and-in.tend.-.to.-r.emain.-in..-existeaoe._i

f - indefinitely., _but_at_pr.e.8ent._ouE_sole_objeo.t-is_to-fur_th6r_the_eleo.tion _

| - -Of_Mr_._Er_anklin_Mur.phy.,_our._S..tandar_d_B.e.ar_er_-in_this._.Canipa.ign. _ iw.e_hay.e_ _

I - alr.e.ady__enr.olle.d_.oy.er__600_member.s_and..among_ them .ar.e.„a_.lar.g,e_numher_of. _

\ — — — y-.OUng-Dem.o.orat8_whd„.hay.e_p.l.edge.d-them6e.lY6s...-t,o._v.o.te_for.._the_Rep.ublioan _

j - Candidate. - We_. have ...organized -five .dlffer.ent_.Clubs_under_the_gener.al _

■ - he.ad_of_The_Er.anklln.-Uurphy_Y.oung— V.o.t.er.a-Iieague— and-intend—to- .s.ti 1 1 fur_T-

- ther.„inorease_the_number._.of_Clubs - V7e_.have._exhaus.ted_our_funds._and _

■ - ther.efor.e_app.eal._to.-y.o.u_f or_ ..assistance. .in the matter n-f repl eni ng our.

- -treasury, - ^ome^of^ycLt^frl^d.s.^lllce Vioe-Chanoellor Pitney. Mr. Wm. A

\ - .Hal.sey, — an.d_shye_ral_oJher_who_I_might_name, _ haye_halp_e_d_us_and_y_o_ur_nam.e _

! - has.-been. -Suggested. a 6_.one._who_.iB_..deeply__ inte.r.e.s.te.d.in_Rei)ublioan-e.uop.es.s,—

X_.trust_y.o.u_will_se.e-fi.t_to_r_esp.ond_t.o_our_appeal, _ I

Che Rational Civic federation

-^WiBL1i - ... p. SSftSraod or I

TH^ai^g^..

WALTEr'KIerCB (Former P._ .

RICH^RE^REND“HEN,iv>,S,?OTrB?

wAm^^o^ssu..

jAHlIiaSffita-woHrer UMvem FRAmtt,f>NSARGENT1'(ar.nd Muter Brotherhood

281 Fourth Avenue,

New York City, j)e c .12,1901 .

Thomas A. Edison,/!

Orange,

Bear Sir:-

The fficlosed clipping refers to an im¬ portant Industrial Meeting at the Board of Trade Rooms, Ntf. 203 Broadway, next Monday and Tuesday, the opening session being at 10:30 A.M. Monday.

The large employers, labor leaders and publics men referred to in the clipping will be present and participate.

The general object of this Department ek methods for reducing to a minimun in¬ trial disturbances in this country.

This is not a public meeting but the Cojnmittee on Program invites you to be present.

Yours truly,

Secretary. I

1901. Edison, T.A. - Employment (D-01-10)

This folder contains correspondence from or about employees and prospective employees. Most of the correspondence relates to employment requests for the West Orange laboratory. There are also letters soliciting Edison's opinion regarding former employees seeking positions elsewhere.

Approximately 30 percent of the documents have been selected. The selected items all received a significant response from Edison.

f > t /

9P JV /

• Thomas A. Edison

Deoember 7th, 1901,

We have at our works an expensive steam plant consisting of a 1500 H. P. Gross Compound condensing engine, two smaller engines, and quite a large eleotrlo plant, oonslst- ing of Sprague generators, and quite a oomplioated switoh-board, this together with tlxe heating apparatus, air compressors, pumps, | and other maohinaiy , make it quite desirable that we have a I

first-class man in charge, we understand that you have some knowledge of the oharaoter and ability of Henry Finkel. We

5‘d thank you 1* you would advise us as to what you know abo^ on,4 whether you oonslder him oapable of running suoh a t. '

We enclose you stamped envelope, and thank you in advance any cou^esies you may show us In the matter.

Yours vary truly, j

chase Rolling Hill company.

La

(v&J °) ■ Un

QT.&.) f

Vi S'. <gjL~~

\ ■ r

xnJ J

far

Ox*Aj,

J toMul in

’^juJJUaUm & A^^y^/u. ^ ^jjt A/AX. "Wwj "(LlAsir^LUy, ■&~uj M «k> trU $ .

Cvubl Aunt /ZXJ, JUitiAf

«=». ^ 'T‘‘

t ,ni ‘^2

; »«/ XaV/*~* ftfl

; fi^/A-Jx^x -eMUAto-

; <// c^- * "C^YWU

; ^va -jJxJLx^ IatJUl a^A/i Ji lArZit <

1 ^^^(Ru/uxAx^

,1l '

:| '

i; ( ty/ mtfxiiAAni, Art'??* ’”•

THE WYOMING MINING AND INVESTMENT COMPANY

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAVS OP WYOMING

Office, Suite J8 Pioneer Block

CAPITAL STOCK

$250,000.00

\ tL« .

DENVER, COLORADO D'30* a3rd • 1901.

Mt. Thomas A. Edison,

fa-*

Orange, K . J.

{/

Dear Sir:- Understanding that You are personally acnuinted witih Mr. Thos. H. Edwards, M. E. and Metalurgical Chemist of this city and also that he has had ,off and on ,tha honor of doing some work, for You in his profession, I herewith take the liberty to respectfully ask You, if You consider his assays reliable?- I consider Mr. Edwards to be an honorable and reliable gentleman, and the information X seek of You is simply for the protection of Mr. Edwards'; reputation and con¬ sequently of our own interests in case of willful damaging rumors as to his (Mr. Edwards' ) ability and honesty.

Thanking You in advance for Your kind attention in this matter.

I beg to be,

1 901 . Edison, T.A. - Family (D-01 -1 1 )

This folder contains correspondence and other documents by and about Edison's family. Included are numerous letters concerning the legal and financial interests of Thomas A. Edison, Jr., as well as a series of reports from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency pertaining to the investigation of kidnapping threats made against Edison's family.

All of the documents have been selected except for two Pinkerton bills and the Pinkerton reports, only samples of which have been selected.

VwouvnXjI-O

'v\ e .

{^j-B^aa • rf<. R<saaa_cA

_'O-0-cjla -0> CX .- . . .

/^KU IWtiLfi.

cVtJ"^-*- “y~ - T-w-a— -&-5Ua^\^a-w>.

• Hj-0-f<- ■ ^-'-yjA' ~to AaaJI_ .

a^2JL^. \Aa^v.cAJ8-^ . e^oA,«>OOL^o . TtfejL.

\aiAV-cCfilt, dL^-O . ■ . . . . .

f W<-> • ^, . .. <2_<=A_vo cr-i/CV . . .

. . . . . Vn.cvvAlo , "Vv • Q_ .

Q^oJuaAX^ CLcfcu| •

\*k. ftwx/wm — Qo *-dL*sC>_-

...... . . r\s^e>-<J^s\

Q, (-‘SKA -<C _ -

IAjJL^LcX. A-O. e

79*Jr.

as A. Jr. is in a -tight place through a judgment obtained against him and William Holzer by William McMahon, amounting to $400,000 and $13S .72 costs.

This judgment carries with it imprisonment. An order of arrest has already been obtained against your son and Holzer, and wiill be executed on the latter as Boon as found. It seems that your son, who is the principal factor, cannot be found, and McMahon is advised by the Judge to go be Bore the Grand Jury and procure an indictment. Should this be done, there is no way to prevent the young man from getting a long term of imprisonment.

I am in no ivay interested' in this.mattelr, but I know the plaintiff for many years, and from a conversation that took place in my presence with his attorney, I have no doubt that he intends to enforce the Decree of the Court at the earliest possible moment.

I do; fiot know your son, but from what I heard of the matter,

I suspect that he has not had much experience in corporation mat¬ ters, and therefore, placed himself and company in an unfortunate position. McMahon is in a desperate condition financially, besides

he had a part of his house burned down the other day, and altogether makes him sore on everybody and everything. Under the circumstances, you probably know as well as I, that he is a dangerous character and thoroughly unscrupulous in isher, means used for attaining his ends.

If Shis should be a matter of interest to you, please let me know and X will get hold of McMahon and se what he wants, and stop further proceedings. He is under obligations to me in many ways, and whether drunk or sober, I have always been able to do with him more than any one else, and if you wish I will come and see you at any time you may name.

Very truly yours

Fourth Article of the Judgment reads: "That said Thomas A. Edison, Jr. be committed by the Sheriff of the County of Hew York to the County Jail of said County, to be there detailed in close custody until he shall specifically perform the agreement set forth in said judgment, or he be discharged according to law."

Iv'.y dear iir;-

The letter v/riten by J».r. HickoJ^of 35 Nassau -at. to you in reference to a certain suit, brought by one, A'.aqKahon, against your son, Thomas ... Edison, Jr. , and in turn sent by A;r. Randolph to your son, and he in turn to me, was received on Saturday.

I am largely interested in this Company and have put consider¬ able money in same. I am secretary of the Company and somewhat fami¬ liar with this litigation, and beg leave to inform you that Air. Hiclco:f^' . is away off on the state of affairs in writing you in the manner in which he did. There was a time when Thomas ... Edison, Jr. was in con¬ tempt of court, but such time has passed. 1 have advanced money nec¬ essary to have matters opened up and have them tried on their merits, which will be some time next month, so your son is in no danger of any proceedings of any kind or nature on this account being brought against him at the present time. In my opinion this Hlck'oiR letter is for the purpose of having you put up some money. 1 wish to inform you of the truthful state of affairs, and state that your son is entirely innocent of any wrong doing in any way whatever .

The Brder of the Court was obtained originally on a misrepres¬ entation by the plaintiff, but mainly upon lack of due attention by

Company, hashanded to me a copy of a letter written to you by Mr. C. C. Hickok concerningthe matter of contempt proceedings which were pending in re McMahon against Holzer and Edison, Jr. , and Mr. Thompson requested that I inform you of the present status of this case, and also, that you may see that the case has been properly conducted, I desire to lay before you the following information.

William McMahon, the plaintiff in this action, claims the right to a large amount of stock in the above company in remu¬ neration for services which he alleges to heave rendered the defend ants, this we deny. < ^

Applicatior^wafs made by said McMahon and upon presenta¬ tion of opposing affidavits and argument in opposition by myself. Judge Books-taver denied the plaintiff's reqiiest with $10.00 costs to defendants.. Answer- was then interposed and after issue was joined, adelay of several months ensued before McMahon's attorney put the case on the calendar for trial. At the time the case came up for trial, Mr. Holzer was in Europe and I was unable to proper¬ ly present the defense because of his .absence, so I permitted the case to go by default, expecting to reopen the same upon Mr.

Holzer’ s return.

T. A. E. No. 2.

Mr. Holzer returned to this Country the latter part of December, after an absence abroad of about nine months, and I immediately obtained an order to show cause why this judgment should not be reopened and we be permitted to come in and defend upon the merits. Our remedy in this order to show cause was; granted by Judge Dugro andthe case is now on ths calendar again for trial within the near' future.

The plaintiff did obtain an order to show cause why defendants should not be punished for contempt in not complying with the judgnent rendered upon the inquest held by the plaintiff in that defendants shouldturn over to plaintiff a large amount of their stock, which plaintiff now considers valuable. However-, of course, this contempt is now stayed, and we have no doubt of our ability to defeat the plaintiff upon the merits.

Mr. Hickok stated to me yesterday in my office, that he di d not understand the case andhad written you the letter in question upon the request of Mr. McMahon. I, therefore, suggested to Mr. Hickok that his action was quite unprofessional, especially as Mr. Hickok is not the attorney of record for the plaintiff and knew nothing about the present status of the case.

Trusting that I have made the matter clear and that I

have not, trespassed unnecessarily upon your time, I remain, Vours>,very sincerely

Thos. A. Edison, Esq.,

Llewelyn Park,

Orange, N. J.

Dear Sir:-

Asst. Supt. Geo. S. Dougherty reports :-

Wednesday, Hay 15th, 1901.

Oh Wednesday, May 15th Hr. ,H. E. Diok in Hr. Thos. A. Edison's employ, called at the Agency, end requested that a representative "be detailed to visit Hr, Edison's labratory at Llewelyn Park, Orange, N.J, for the purpose of inquiring into anonymous letters received hy Mr,

Edison At Boon to-day I proceeded to Llewelyn Park where I had a conference with Hr. Edison and Hr. Diok, and they exhibited to me an envelope and letter, the envelope ea which was a United States two eent stamped one showed the following mailing stamps :~

Front of envelope: Orange, N. J.

May 14, 6:30 a.m.

19 0 1

Back of envelope West Orange, IT. J.

May 14, 10 a. m.

1901 Reoeived

The address on theenvelope was as follows:

"Mr, Thos. Edison,

LLEWELYN PARK, West Orange, 'XT. J. and in the lower left hand corner the word "PERSONAL"

The address on the envelope appears to have been out from some newspaper, about minion or brevier size and is in capitals or lower case. The word "Personal" also appears to have been cut from a

newspaper, from the advertising headline and is in black letter caps,

with a rule over the top. The address cut from the newspaper appears to have been pasted over an address which had beenwritten on 'this envelope with a typewriter or made with a rubber stamp. On removing the printed address of Mr. Edison I found that it was in all probability cut from some newspaper, as X observed parts of a large advert isiig type and part of a cut and on the back of the word "Personal appears the following:

"12 room residence

part of Oranges" _ Park"

This is probably an advertisement that had appeared in a Newark or Orange newspaper offering real estate for sale in Llewelyn Park. Underneath Mr. Edison's address on this envelope appears the address of Hon Judge Kreugor,

Newark, N. J.

This address appears to have been printed on with rubber type of some kind, written with a very poor typewriter, or with a rubber stamp in which names and address can be set up from individual rubber type.

“-V-

-2-

This envelope contained, a letter reading, as follows:

“Sir

If you dont put § 25, 000 gold for next Thur night at 12,30 at foot of sign Hahns h 00 in Central & Essez Aves Orange N J We will kidnap your child If you notify the Polios We shall do you same We are doing to Hr. Bianohi hut you may he worse Yet.

Remember" " .

This letter is evidently printed with a ruhher stamp in which single ruoher types can he set up, and is very poorly executed, and would appear to he printed on common hag orwrapplng paper. The paper is about 4-fr inches long h.v 4if inches wide.

I was informed hy Hr. Edison and Hr. Dick that Bianohi referred to in this letter was the proprietor of a wine and liquo* store in Orange; that he is an Italian and very little is known concerning him. I therefore, requested that Bianohi he immediately sent for I had a very interesting interview with him and obtained from him the following inf ormation:-

Vittoria Bianohi, aged 43 years, horn in Milan, Italy. At present proprietor of the Bianohi Wine and Liquor Co., 261 Main St., Orange, N. J, About 18 years ago he married Gina Vigano, also of Milan, Theyhave the following children:

Dina age 18 years Ovidio age 15 years I tala between 5 and 6 years.

About 1884 Bianohi, his wife aid one child arrived in the United States. Bianohi is a hatter by trade and he obtained employment with Meyer SJ.Iarcey, Scott Street, Newark, II. J. and subsequently worked for a time at his trade with Cummings & Matthews in Orange* Valley

In 1889 he engaged in the liquor business, wholesale and retail at .27 Market St., Newark, N. J. Here he was fairly prosperous and eventually purchased some property in Pierson's Alley. About 1894 or 1895 his cousin Achilla Pirola of 319 Market St., Newark, N.J. who was also in the wholesale and retail liquor business borrowed from Bianohi §5000, in addition to which he borrowed, on Bianchi’s recommendation §3000 from Joe Dughi, a wholesale fruit dealer, now deceased, and §2000 from Peter Zazzali, a retail fruit dealer,Market and Broad St. After obtaining this money Pirola fled from the United States to Europe, Bianohi at this time was also engaged in the banking business, and the Italians who had deposited with Bianohi their savings, on hearing that Pirola had fled, demanded their money from Banchi, which he promptly paid, informing me that he had mortgaged his property in Pierson's Alley, which property has since been sold for the mortgage . (§4500) which was held by the German Nat'l Bank of Newark, N. J,

Dughi and Zazzali pressed Bianohi very closely for their money which they had loaned to Pirola. This was finally arranged by Bianohi paying to the German National Bank the accrued interest on the §2000 and §3000 notes. _ _ _ _ _ _ •

-3-

About 1895 both of these creditors were oalled upon by the German National Bank to pay the amounts of these notes, which they did and immediately proceeded against Bianohi and obtained a judgment, but Bianchi did not' have anything with which to satisfy this judgment, Bianchi told me that at this time he did not have any money at all;

that he was greatly in debt, and that he borrowed $10 with which t o go

to Ohange, N. j.

Arriving in Orange in 1896 or 1897 Bianchi stopped for a time with a friend, and finally saw an opportunity to get the wholesale and retail wine store at 261 Main St.., the license of which was controlled

by Gastro Alexander, a Hebrew*, who is a wholesale dealer in liquors

with an office at 99 Water St. New York City. Bianohi then rented the store, 261 Main St., agreeing to pay for it on the installment plan Business was conducted under the name of the "Bianohi Wine & Liquor Co." but actually in the name of Biaa Bianchi, who gave Vittoria Bianchi, the power of attorney. At the present time Bianchi owes the followings To heirs of Joseph Dughi $3000

To Peter Zazzali $2000

To Gestro Alexnader $5000 or $6000

To A. Marshall & Co., New York Oity $1600

In addition to the above he also owes a number of small bills. He pays $55 par month for the rental of the store. He has a .horse and wagon and hires a Bohemian to deliver sales. He also rents a house in whioh he and his family reside at 134 Day St.

Bianohi states that during the first week in April, 1900 he received a letter from kidnappers in which they requested him to place $600 in a grave marked "LB COMPTE" in the St. Marks Oemetry,

Orange on the first Saturday night in April at 12:30 o'clock midnight If he did not do this the kidnappers threatened that his child would be stolen and held until the money was paid, and that his wife would be foully dealt with. Mr. Bianohi cannot describe very minutely this letter; say that it terrorized him so much that he has a very poor recollection of what it looked like; that upon the receipt of this letter he did /not consult anyone about it; that he usually consults his wife in all business transactions, but he said nothing to her about this matter, as he claims he did not want to worry her. He did not show the letter to anyone. He subsequently destroyed this letter but he cannot advise me where he destroyed it. He says he did not take any action to have the kidnappers apprehended, at this time, as he was afraid it would cost him more than twice the $600. On the first Saturday night in April, 1900 at' 12:30 Midnight, as requested, he went to St. Marks Cemetry with $600 in denominations of 50' s, 20 's, 10 's 5's and l's. He wrapped this money up in a newspaper, then wrapped ordinary wrapping paper around it, and placed it in a paper bag The kidnappers had described to him about where he could find the grave, which they stated was one third way from Main Street, about the middle of the cemetry. Bianohi says that he hunted around for sometime, finally found the grave with the name of "LB COMPTE " on it which, he describes as a very old grave with a box shaped stone vault, which through age has sunken considerable. He found the hole as described by the kidnappers and placed the money in it.

-4-

Bianchi states that ho was a. little suspicious about this matter at the time on account of the paper the letter was written on, it oeinp; the kind used by policy writers. He connects this paper with a negro named Thos. Lewis, who was at one time in Bianchi's employ, and who was at the time this letter was sent him, in the business of writing polioy, Lewis lived until the house was burned down at 159 Essex Avenue , and can be easily looated around the Oranges.

The letter referred to above was received by Bianchi at his store, 361 Main St. and had been sent him by mail, and bore an Orange,

>*• J. piaat&ark. ’ . ’

lo^0th^>, ^rther occured between April, 1900 and T.bnday, March 4tii, ,1901, on which day Bianchi had made arrangements to meet his wife .at their home, 134 Day St. at 3 p. m.. She object of their meeting being that Bianchi and his wife intended looking for a new house in whion to move. Bianchi told me that 3 p. n. was about the time the letter carrier called at 134 Bay St.; that when he approached the house on that day his wife came running toward him with a letter which was addressed to him, but which had been opened by her. She was in a state of nervous excitement and she handed him a letter which read, as follows:- ’

"For next Saturday night at 13:30, if you have not !'3000 in sold at the sanie sPot in th0 tom** where you left the ,j600 last year, we will kidnap your child Italy (moaning I tala.) . lake notice if you fail to bring the money as directed you have to pay twice much for the return of little

b! Say R WOrd t0 the polioe or Sflueal we will

bl^lnd little Italy. If we get chance we will kill your wife and chi dren. We see no profit for killing of you at present.

(signed) The Inexorables" .

. . AS ®oon, as bianchi's wife read thks letter she became very angry w-th him, and asked why he had put the $600 in the grave without tolliL

that&h°Uhad don?6 lwy,1161’ h9 did 14 t0 savo her from worriment,and J „ d0neva11 the worrying about the money ever since it was put w1 * by dlm’ ^ now that th" stor-v had oome out he would tell her

th m he dldn as related a°ovs- The girl I tala was at the ' at the *lrae thls l0ttflr was received, and Bianchi suggested

h°r? Ihi°h 510 rtid‘ Aft0r talking the matter over wife Bianchi decided to consult with his landlord, Mr. Kunz, who lives upstairs over Bianchi's wine store. This he did, as Bianchi explains it, that he thought Kunz would be the proper man to get him police protection.

• t,hS nieht °f Maroh 4tk or 5th arrangements were made to meet

0Xn th? in, house between 8 and 9 o'clock,

on th„ night of March fit the following parties had a conference in Kunz s house: Bianchi, Kunz, Chief of Police of Orange and one of his detectives named Parker. In order that the Chief of Police and the detective could read the letters several matches were struck but no light was lit. Bianchi says that these matches were struck at the suggestion of the Chief of Police. Plans were partially adopted that night to apprehend the kidnappers, and a seoond meeting was agreed upon.

On the morning of Maroh 8th Bianchi received a second letter

-5-

which is now in the hands of tho Orange police, and. which read "Now about your police protection"

Bianohi did not explain to me how this letter was addressed, hut it was sent to his store (I subsequently learned from B ianohi 's son on May 16th that the address on this letter was one of the labels of the Bianohi Wine ft liquor Co., suoh as are pasted on wine bottles and reads

"From Bianohi Wine Co. 261 Main St., Orange. N. J. opposite the Orange National Bank".

The word "from" '.rascut from this label.

Kunz told Bianohi that he received a letter but did not show it to him, which letter read something likt eh following:

"Mr. Kuna j Tell your friend, the Chief of Pelioe, Mr.

Bianohi and ithe detective to be more careful when they are up in your house having a conference. They should not . strike matches a3 they did".

_ ** Bi&2iohi says that this letter very much upset Mr. Kunz, as the latter could not understand how anyone oould see them. Bianohi ' explained this away by telling him that the Kidnappers could have oeen in the back yard, and looked up and the windows while they were talking, and they oould easily have seen the Chief when he struck the mat ones. . %

Arrangements were accordingly made whereby Bianohi was to go to St. Marks Cemetry with a package containing charooal. He also bought a revolver to use on the expedition* The Chief of Police, according to Bianohi s statement had 15 or 20 policemen detailed around the cemetry, and the Chief with some of his detectives were close to the grave. Bianohi went to the grave, deposited the package in tne same place where he alleges he put the $600. He did not observe any¬ one near ’.then he plaoed the package in the grave. Nothing oooured during the night, according to the police reports. The oharooal was found m the grave the following morning; no one had appeared to take it away. Bianohi was still strong in his opinion that the kidnappera were right around Orange.

On the following night, after the trip to the cemetry ho and his family, were all in the dining room when the door bell rang. Bianohi went to the door, opened it as far as the chain on the insude would allow, and he gave the old beggar who was at the door a five cent piece and told him to. go away. Mrs. Bianohi thought this was one of the kidnappers, and Bianohi started to follow the old man away and his wife looked out of thw window saw t he man going along Bav Street. Bianohi remained . in the shady side of the street and he" ;

states that he saw the old man meet a well dressed man about a bio ok and a half from the house and talk with him; that the well dressed man passed in the opposite direction quiokly, and waved his pooket handerohief, but this statement of Bianohi *s is not corroborated but the fact that a beggar called at the house on Sunday night is oorrobo»Eted. My theory is that the old man after obtaining the 5/ met the well dressed man and asked him for something, wa£ not given anything and that the well drjssed man after refusing to give alms went in an opposite direction hurriedly.

Bianohi reported, this incident to the police and his family. On one occasion Bianohi sent a messenger hoy to his house. The signal agreed upon being that ifBianchi or anyone he sent should call at the at night the hell was to he rung three times. The messenger ho?/ rang the door hell three times, and them started in to whistle a tune while on the front porch. This whistling alarmed the inmates of the house, and they ran up stairs, opened the windows and cried out for help A policeman responded to their call. The messenger hoy, according to Bianohi, did not know what it all meant, and thought the people had all gone crazy.

Bianohi suggested that his wife and two daughters go away. At first he suggested that they go to Italy, hut to this his wife objected on account of the expense. Then Bianohi thought of a friend of his named Stefani in Philadelphia, and he had Stefani come to Orange and then sent his wife and two daughters, Dina and Itala to Philadelphia., They left about 4p. m. without any concealment. They were taken to Philadelphia to hoard in the private hoarding house of a Mrs. Basso, 235 South 6th St. that city. A rumor was oiroulated that Mrs. Bianohi and her two daughters had gone to Italy, which was generally believed to he the truth.

During the absenoe of Mrs. Bianohi at Philadelphia her husband visited her on a Sunday and her son visited her on a Saturday, taking up just one day, returning to Orange at the end of the day.

sometime prior to Hay 14th, 1901 arrangements had been made by correspondence between Bianohi and his wife that Mrs. Bianohi and her two daughters should return from Philadelphia, to leave there on the 5:50 p. m. train. This fa ’t, according to Bianohi, was well known to the people who fre quented his plaoo of business, including his landlord and a few others. On May 14th at 7:;15 a.m. Bianohi received at his store in Orange the following letter from the kidnappers :-

"V/hat is being done now is onl?/ a sample of what we have in stock for you. The fun will be when your famil?/ are back home again. V/e use you to show others that we mean business. If we make you the scape goat you shall thank your police protection. signed “Remember".

This letter, Bianohi says, was received at his store at 7:15 a. m. on the morning of May 14th, 1901 . A short time after he read it he saw the Chief .of Police of Orange, showed this letter to Mm and asked the Chief of Police if anyone else in town had received a similar letter . A:;

NOTE: Mr. Edison's letter was not received until 10:30 a. m. May

14th, but bore the post office stamp "6:30 a. m. May 14th".

On receipt of this letter Bianohi telegraphed to his wife, requested her to defer her journey until she had received a special deliver?/ letter written by him and mailed by him at 10:30a.m. informing her of the letter received by him. .

During the course of my interview with Bianohi I was not favorably impressed with him. The great excitement displayed by him. appeared to be pretended. He offers no theory in this matter, excepting what he states concerning the colored man T'hos. Lewis about the April, 1900 letter, _ .

Bianahi informed me that he has received many anonymous letters from He’ '/ark parties, calling him "burglar " and such like names, the parties implying in their letters that his cousin did not run away with the $10,000, "rut that he got it by trick and device and that he (Bianohi) has kept it all and .is now living off it, which Bianchi declared is an untruth.

On the envelope to Mr, Edison there is one quite strange thing that is the name and address of Hon. Judge Kreuger, This is the name of the Newark brewer from whom 3ianehi buys his beer. Whoever prepared the envelope and letter to Mr. Edison could easily have used fen envelope without this name typewritten ard partially erased upon it, but it is evident that the intention of the writer was that when this matter was investigated it would be discovered that the envelope was addressed to Hon, Judge Kreuger, indicating to the one investigating the matter that Mr. Edison and Mr. Banchiwere not the only ones who received threatening letters from the kidnappers.

Prom my investigation of this matter thus far I am strongly inclined to the belief that Bianchi has expended the $600 which he alleged was placed in the grave in the St. Marks Oemotry,' but that he does not wish his wife to know it, and that he arranged to have her learn about how the $600 was disposed of through her receiving the letter from the kidnappers on March 4th, and that she has been some doubtful herself about the disposition of the $600, and that he is now cauding these anonymous letters to be sent to create the impression in his wife's mind that there are kidnappers around Orange, H. J. and that he is not the only one who is being annoyed by them. It is probable that a threatening letter will be sent to Judge Kreuger or some other prominent cvb&usXr--., so as to create excitement, and more strongly impress upon his own wife's mind the truth of Bianohi 's story.

I pretended to Bianchi that some woman with whom he was associated but about v'hom he had not told me , might have sent these letters or might be at the bottom of these kidnapping letter. This I did in order to see whether or not he was associating with any woman, other than his wife, Bianchi beoarae very much interested over my inquiry in this direction, and told me that he had never had any association with any woman outside of his wife. This statement was made to me insuch a way that it did not strongly impress me as being true.

Bianohi wrote out this evening a letter of introduction for me to his wife, as I had expressed a desire to interview her about this matter. The above information was communicated verbally to

Mr. Edison before my departure from Orange for New York in the company of Mr. Dick. I arrived at my home at 9jl5 p. m. and discontinued", Thursday, May '16th, 1901

"Through an informant to-day in Hew York I learned that on May 14th, 1901 at 8:35- a. m. the following telegram was received at East Orange, N. J,. addressed to Mrs. A. Steffani, 235 South 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. :

“Sospenete temperariamade partinza susiohe recevele mia special delivery".

This is evidently Bianohi 's telegram to his wife regarding his special delivery letter.

-3-

At 11:10 a. m. to-day I left Hoboken in company of Operatives J. T. C., A. K, H. and W. S, 0. for Orange, II. J, I instructed W.F.C. and A. F* H. to locate in the vicinity of Bianchi's place of business for ’the purpose of watching h is movements, and to determine with whom he associates and what he is doing, I instructed the operatives to carefully note any letters mailed by him or handed by him to anyone else to mail at any hour of the day and night; that when such letter was mailed to remain where it was mailed until it was collected, so that we could determine, through informants the character of the letter mailed by Bianohi, or through anyone to whom he handed the letter. These two menw ere also instructed to gather such information as they could from observing Bianohi or anyone connected with him; that if they saw anyone who would justify Bianchi's statement that kidnappers were watching his movements to note their actions also. Upon arrival at Orange these two men located in the Central Hotel, which, is opposite. Bianohi *s plaoe of business and from which they could very nicely observe anyone around Bianohi '3 plaoe.

The men secured a room in the fron part of the hotel upstairs.

Operative J. T, C. and I then proceeded to J.Ir.Edison's plaoe and shortly after 1 p, m. saw Mr, Edison and Mr, Dick, from v/hom we learned that J. Warren Smith, Cashier of the Orange National Bank, had also received a letter alleged to be by the kidnappers, threatening to kidnap his son, who is a big athletic fellow, 18 years of age and wall able to take care of himself in the hands of any kidnappers This part of the story is looked upon as being rather ludicrous.

It is probable that this is the letter which Bianohi spoke to the Chief of Police about early in the morning of May 14th, as the bank is right opposite Bianchi's plaoe of business and letters for there should be delivered about the same time as at Bianchi's store, I instructed J, T. C, what work I desired him to take up in the way of invest igating.

I then called at Bianchi's store and told him that I was well convinced that the kidnappers were right around his premises, and that I wanted to examine anything he had in the way u of rubber stamps, papers, etc. He showed me that rubber stamps he uses also the paper he uses, and the labels that he pastes on the wine bottles, but I did not find anything that was like the type used on the anonymous letter to Mr, Edison, although Bianchi is quite a user of rubber stamps, of which I observed the following spread about his desk}-

“Vittoria Bianchi, Notary Public,

C. 0. D.

Registered A dating stamp,

Bianchi Wine Co., 261 Main St,, opposite Orange Bank Bldg",

The inkirg: pad used by him I noticed contained red ink while the kidnappers' letter was in dulllor poorly made black ink or faded blue ink.

Bianchi told me that he was suffering with a severe headache and at my request ho sent his son to the house, 154 Day St, so that I could have a private talk with the boy, I found the oarpets are all up in the house. It appears that prior to the time Mrs. Bianohi went away arrangements had been made to move. In fact this is what the

■boy told. me. Every door and window in the house is protected with deviaes of some kind or other, arranged by Mr. Bianohi, as for instance w hera a wi'nddw blind is pulled down, a couple of empty wine bottles are placed on the foot of the blind, dishes and tin pan's are piled up against the doors so that they will make a noise when they are opened. Bianohi and the young man sleep in the same room and his father has arranged a kind of trap consisting of a chair with a block of wood under the back . of it. This state of affairs is in evidence in every room in the house. The boy appears to be thoroughly frightened, and talks a great deal about kidnappers, relating to me in substance the same information I obtained from his father.

The father had not told me about the letter of May 8th which was addressed with a sticker f rom a wine bottle. The son told me this while I was with him to-day. I learned from the boy to-day that he and his ffather are constantly in one another's company; that about every other night since his mother has been away the young man goes to see some play in a Newark theatre, and that his father comes to Newark to meet him very night. Last night he was down to the New Century Theatre, and w as met there by his father when the show was oyer. If Bianohi, Sr. has any female connections at Newark this might be an opportunity for him'to visit between the time he arrives there and the time the show is out. I am somewhat doubtful about this as he does not close his store until about 9 p. m. and he could not arrive in Newark before 9:30 p. in. and most of the shows are out at 10:30 or 11 p. m. The bpy is quite nice looking, and attends the public school, and is fairly aintelligent. He told me that his father had been to Philadelphia to visit his mother while she had'been away and that he had been over one Saturday. After examining the house, and talking with the son, I went to Bianohi' s store and while I was there his driver came in. He is a good sized Bohemian, and speaks German, Italian and English. He resides in Newark. He told me what his name was but I have forgotten it, and did not want to make a note of it in order to avoid suspicion. I have instructed the operatives to locate where this man resides so that in case I wish to interview him I can do so.

I then proceeded too the post office where I met an informant and explained to him the object of my visit, telling him that I had arranged to have some parties at Orange watched, and I wanted to find out the addresses on letters mailed by them, I explained to this informant how our men would identify themselves to him. He agreed to render me every assistance in his power. I referred him to a New York informant through whom I had made arrangements to be introduced. This part of the work will, if it can be properly carried out, probably result in our getting very close information on the subject.*

At 4 p. m. I proceeded to Newark, fronnwhere I telephoned to She Agency that I was going t® Philadelphia to interview Mrs. Bianohi, also - telegraphed to my residence that I would be absent to-night.

I arrived in Philadelphia at 7:15 p. m., had my dinner en route and immediately on arriving there proceeded to 235 South 6th St. where I observed Itala Bianohi and her sister Dina sitting at a window Both of them resemble very nuoh their photographs which I saw in their father's place of business,

Thos. A? Edison, Esq., Llewelyn Park,

Orange, N. J.

Dear Sir:-

Asst. Supt, 0. 3, Dougherty reports:

Sunday, June 2nd, 1901

"My theory of the letters alleged to he by the kidnappers has all along been that Vittoria Bianohi instead of placing the $600 in the grave in the St. Marks Oemetr.v, Orange, H, j., expended this money for some other purpose, whioh he desired to keep his wife ignorant of, a nd that ’when it hooame neoessary to explain to her what disposition was made of the money whioh he was short of the amount reoeived from the insurance company, i. e: $1100.00 that he concocted the plan of having his wife receive the lette’r asking for the $3000 to he placed where he had put the other $600.

Our investigation shows that Bianohi 's house at Orange, N. J. was burned on December 18, 1899* that Mrs. Bianohi was out of the house at the time, and that Altonlina and Bianohi were in the house when the fire oourred, and that Bianohi collected from the Caledonia Fire Insurance Company $1110.00. We show by investigation that Altolina who heretofore had been in poor oiroumstanoes paid $100 (a one hundred dollar bill) for the ratal of 115 Montgomery Street, Trenton at the rate of $45 per month, two months in advance; that he paid $112.50 to get his license. Altolina acknowledges that he got between four and five hundred dollars from Bianohi in January, 1900 with which to set himself up in business. It appears that Altolina originally invested his sawings in conjunction with Binnchi's experience in opening up a w'ine and liquor business a good many years ago, and that Bianohi has at all t iraes been in some way or other indebted to Altolina.

When I interviewed Mrs, Bianohi at Philadelphia, at which time Altolina's name was first mentioned to me, she said that she thought all along, until her husband explained to her about the kidnappers, that he had loaned the $600 to Altolina, 'out she does not to-day know that this money was loaned to Altolina.

Bianohi never mentioned the fire to me, nor the insurance collected by him, especially when I questioned him to1 learn where he obtained the $600 whioh he alleged he placed in the grave. His wife accidentally told me about Altolina. Bianohi never mentioned the name of Altolina to me as his partner, until I picked this information out of his wife and son, and then he did not state that he set him up in business.

Early next week I propose to endeavor to get a statement from Altolina about this matter.

I have considerable suspicion that the origin of the fire in Bianohi's house was of an incendiary nature, and that the object of the fire was to obtain the insurance on the furniture.

The a the only moti' I h’v any money on

n fane of our investigation thus far appears to "be the writing of those anonymous letters, little faith in the theory that Bianohi is spending 1 outside of his family.

Yours truly.

n.

Report ed

Mew York 6/3/1901

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Llewellyn Park, Orange, N. J.

Dear Sir;-

N. T. B. reports;-

Tuesday, Juno 4th, 1901.

This A. M. I received instructions to go to Stewart & Co., rub¬ ber stamp manufacturers, #201 Broadway, and ascertain if they have any type, same as used in the letter in question, and to also obtain the names of their aeents ,4n Orange and Newark, from whom similar type could be obtained.

Upon arriving at Stewart & Co's, I asked for Mr. Stewart, but he was not in, and I saw the manager, to whom I showed part of the letter, and asked him if he had any typo like it, and ho said that he had, and produced a box which he said was the identical type, and that a single line holder had been used to print the letter, as the lines were not straight and equally spaced, as they would be if a double, treble or four line holder had been used. He showed me a single lino holder, and com¬ pared it with the lines of the letter, and they were the exact length. I purchased a box of type, a holder and an ink pad.

, * . . T asked the manager if he had an agent in Orange, N. J. who

kept their rubber stamps in stock, and from whom a similar box of type, holder, and ink pad could be purchased, and he said that although the" were no/agents, two stationers in Orange, N. J. handled their stamps, and kept, them in stock, and that they were Henry P. Schmidt, Main Street, Orange, and P. D. Lawton, Main Street, Orange, and that they were all in Orange. I asked him who handled their goods in Newark, and he said there were-at, least a dozen, and he gave me their names as below, and said that they were old established- concerns, and I could obtain their addresses from the Newark directory.

P. Bogardis. Grovor Bros .

H. Bucklien. P. V/. Noble.

Geiger Bro.s . R. R. Brant.

Carl Kniep. Madison & Co.

W. H. Schwlts Co. Mathews Plumb & Co.

(Goodsoll & Co .

He furthermore told me that each of these firms handled quanti- ties of their goods.

reJVrn®d t0 the Aeency and reported, and was instructed to write a letter with the typo, exactly like the letter sent to Mr. to n™ l wd T°’ ??£ the y were practically identical. I then proceeded to Orange, N. J. with Asst. Supt. D. and went alone to P. D. Lawton's stationery store on Main Street, showed the type, pad and holder I hed purchased from Stewart & Co., to Mr. Lawton, and asked him if he had any hS at °”°o said that he had, and I asked him if he could re- out"t like /ithin the past few months, and he said hnv nr * th*i ®°nths ago, or it might be longer, that he had sold a and ? ^ line holder to Professor Shepherd, #470 Main St. three 1 inn hnvifi0 -^a?h£r’ 4aild oane in aCain last Priday and purchased a three line holder. That he is wealthy, very erratic, and used to be choir-

master at the 1st Ohitreh of Orange. He also said that a lady and a little girl aiso bought a set some time since, but he could not tell me her name, as he did not know her. That she wanted a child's set, but he did not have them in stock, and he persuaded her to take the other set. She also took a two line holder. Hr. Lawton asked me if I was making these inquiries with reference to the kidnapping, and I said that X was, and he said that he thought that was all settled, and that Detective Dibell had told him that they had traced the matter to Newark.

I then met Asst. Supt . D. and accompanied him to Henry ? . Schmidt's stationery store on Main Street. There we were informed that some months ago, an outfit had been sold to an insurance agent, and that around April 27th he had returned and asked if he ought not to have re¬ ceived a holder foi? the type, which he did not receive, and one was order¬ ed for him from Stewart & Co., but there was no trace on their order book of the order, and Mr. Schmidt expressed as his opinion that he order¬ ed the holder by postal card at the time, and did not enter it in the order book. Neither Mr. Schmidt nor his assistants could give me any particulars as to the insurance man, and only concluded that he was an insurance man because he mentioned that several others in the office had similar outfits. We then went to Edison's laboratory, and Supt. D. in¬ troduced mo to Mr. Edison, and explained the situation to date, and then left and we proceeded to Newark, and to Oltolina's liquor store, corner Bedford and 15th Avenue, and Asst. D. interviewed him at considerable length in my presenco, and he told us that he had heard nothing of Bianchi receiving the first letter until a few weoks ago, when ha told him about it in the presenco of his son, and that he placed §300.00 in some place, specified in the letter, but where he did not know, as Bianchi did not tell him the particulars. He said he is'Bianchi’s cousin, his mother and Bianchi's father being brother and sister. Asst. Supt. D. questioned him severely and he became badly worked up, but appeared to be speaking the truth, and said he was perfectly willing to make affidavit to what, he had said.

Loaving him we returned to New York, and discontinued at 8 P.M.

Yours truly, </