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