I

, Ijp

A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION PARTY (1911-1919)

Thomas E. Jeffrey Senior Editor

Brian C. Shipley Theresa M. Collins Linda E. Endcrsby Editors

David A. Ranzan Indexing Editor

Janette Pardo Richard Mizeile Peter Mikulas Indexers

Paul B. Israel Director and General Editor

Sponsors

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

A UPA Collection from

Hjp LexisNexis-

7500 Old Georgetown Road • Rcthcsdu, MD 20814-6126 Edison signuiurc used with permission of McGraw-Edison Company

Thomas A. Edison Papers

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 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, including photocopying, recording or taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

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

ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2

THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)

Director and General Editor Paul Israel

Senior Editor Thomas Jeffrey

Associate Editors Louis Carlat Theresa Collins

Assistant Editor David Hochfelder

Indexing Editor David Ranzan

Consulting Editor Linda Endersby

Visiting Editor Amy Flanders

Editorial Assistants Alexandra Rimer Kelly Enright Eric Barry

Outreach and Development (Edison Across the Curriculum)

Theresa Collins

Business Manager Rachel Wcissenburgcr

BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)

Rutgers, The State University oFNcw Jersey National Park Service

Richard L. McCormick Maryanne Gerbauckas

Ziva Galili Michelle Ortwein

Ann Fabian

Paul Clemens Smithsonian Institution

Harold Wallace

New Jersey Historical Commission Marc Mappen

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)

Robert Friedel, University of Maryland Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University Susan Hockey, Oxford University Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania Ronald Kline, Cornell University Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons Marc Rothenberg, Joseph Henry Papers, Smithsonian Institution Philip Scranton, Rutgers University/Hagley Museum Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS

We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.

This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and The National Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Fund, through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.

We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the GE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians, scholars, and collectors, the editors are most grateful.

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.

EDISON GENERAL FILE SERIES

1918

ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE FOR 1918 CAN BE FOUND IN THE NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD RECORDS, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SERIES

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison, T. A. (E-18-25)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents concerning Edison's life story, his response to erroneous newspaper reports about him, his opinions regarding a variety of subjects, and numerous other matters. Among the items for 1918 is a letter to Edwin A. Elsbach of the California Society for the Prevention of Blindness in which Edison recalls his unsuccessful experiments in 1878 to develop an ink for the blind and expresses his willingness to "start some more experiments" once the war is over. Also included is correspondence with William J. Boyd about Edison's plan to trade U.S. coal for Cuban sugar; with Edward N. Hurley, chairman of U.S. Shipping Board, concerning suspicious cargo boats at Key West; and with Alfred F. Wagner of Thomas A. Edison, Ltd., in London in regard to an old contract with the Gas Light & Coke Co.

In addition, there are letters pertaining to the use of bacteria for stump removal in logged areas of the Pacific Northwest, a message in support of the International Typographical Union, and correspondence with the New York Police Department in which Edison expresses his desire to go through their Rogues Gallery "to get a line on crooks so that I won't get 'stung' so much." In response to an inquiry as to whether his wife ever became impatient with him for allowing others to take credit for his ideas, Edison responds that "my wife don't scold because so many people act unjustly that it would tire her out." A note from Captain (later Vice Admiral) John H. Dayton, commander of the USS Arizona, regrets his inability to attend a New Year's reception hosted by Edison.

Approximately 15 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected correspondence includes informational inquiries that received routine replies orthat were referred elsewhere; declined requests for Edison's opinions, participation, or assistance in regard to war-related projects; unsolicited letters marked for no answer or for a routine response that Edison was away at sea experimenting for the government; letters of transmittal and acknowledgment; personal correspondence by Edison’s assistant, William H. Meadowcroft; and printed matter sent to Edison such as tickets, invitations, and programs.

»• I A l i-tuw» c~*- M'-'*

w+ ^

The writer realizes' that ycjui are probably request- . ^

L to settle praotioally every problem that the universe }

produoes, in fact, he has wandered around the outside of your^

^ _ ^ _ ^ ur M4Wa

magnifioient plant and tried to imagine some of the wonderful \

and fairy things that happen inside. Also he supposes that you have gotten to the point where the question of the money to be made out of any proposition does not interest you. /rV&f ^ \ j

money point of "View \_.

Whether you consider it from _ _

or from a philanthropic one , we have a problem here in the Pacific Northwest that no one has ever been able to work out, namely, the economical destruction of the stumps left on good land after the removal of our magnifioient forests. We do not need a meohanioal means but we do need some economical working agent that will gradually cause the large fir and oedar stumps, especially the latter, to rot. A period of three to five years would be much cheaper in the long run pro¬ viding the agent was not more expensive than anything we now have.

X-

Your kind attention to this matter and its possible solution will be a wonderful to one of the most produotive parts of our country.

Trusting this letter will reach your personal atten¬ tion, the writer takes the liberty of subscribing himself one of your admirers.

Yours very truly,

very truj.y#

hutionr. to tills end. A chain of drug stores, numbering nearly seven thousand, stands ready to offer $250,000 as an absolute gift for this purpose.

On the other hand, 1 believe that a campaign that has thrift and economy as its basis would be solidified if people having it in cliarge gave their approval to what is in effect a lottory schemo.

The drug store concern had a representative here last week to confer with the Postoffice Department, and were told that the Postoffice would regard it as a lottery, and

January" 1.4,1910.

Hr. U. B. Porluo,

£09 i’irst Avc. So., Seattle, hash.

Boar Sir:-

^our favor of tho 14 th instant to Hr. Be. is on v,as received. Ho lias beenaiay from tho laboratory for sometime past, vorhinp hard for Uncle Sam, but I sent your letter down to h5m and ho has returned it to mo villi .tho following memorandum written thereon:

"'Shore is a cpocif ic bacteria which cause’s wood to rot. if you ash tho Stato arricultural Bureau they may be ablo to furnish it.

Ehis could bo placed in a hole ■ bored perpendicularly in tho stump and covered over properly , and then the rottinn would- start." •

1 am transmit tin;: to you in .hr. iid Icon's own words, and trust tho information may sorvo somo useful purpose.

lours very truly.

Assistant to iir. Bdlcon.

A/4B14.

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l.Iy (lour John:

-I have recoivod yoi instant, und under tho eireumsts...™. of proat roprol to mo that I shall you a discournpinp lottor.

i,ir. Kdicon has boon vorlcinr for tho Gi mant for over a year , and boars an o: ficiul rcis Ho iiaL boon oxceodiuply particular in all this do nothing thut could' in any v.ay bo construed ferine or becoming involved in tho rolatioi uulu in various br

of individ-

: the Borviuo.

Ho hue boon ashed many times by friends and relatives to take some action, in various matters .that havo arisen from time to time, but no has alv.ayc firmly doclinod to do so. lid oveu sent co to as to^ docllno

to recommend hie ov.n nopliov; for a Commission, ^o „ou r.ill ceo hov. exceedingly particular ho ic.

i to him, but I in the

1 v. oulu sond your le

SK J!Sao! SSS d.rttiSS»“ tho

bouuds v.hen I am porfoctly yamilar with his policy. 1 am quite euro fion this explanation that you v. ill road, appreciate my position in tho matter*, and hav. usoloss it v.ould bo to approach hr* iidicon c therefore, return the letter to you.

i this Eubjoct.

Yiit’n irindeet regards to you and yours, I remain, loui s .sincerely.

Assistant to I hr. iidicon.

a/4000. enclosure .

IttUcb States dipping SWrli Italjtagtmt

March 18th, 1918

Mr. Thomas Edison,

Key West Florida.

My dear Mr. Edison:

I appreciate very muoh your telegram reporting four large cargo boats are anchored at Key West.

These are Dutch ships and X will tell you about them sometime whan X 309 you.

Renewing my expression of appreciation of your great interest in the we Ilf are of the Shipping Board,

Very Sincerely

WESTEJgl UNION

teuBram

. FY ORANGE I'M 423P iAAR 28 1213 •

.THOS A E3IS0N 138

' m 3TM.Rnrv.rsT flo

u7-U£RSYAHB YOU EXPECT BE HERE AP iT l Li fTF'T^TTTT H if gw \»i~: YOU WANT HF. THE HE HOW I WILL AYiAlT YOUR :-ETU T1- . ^

• AHD NOT GO SOUTH SATURDAY . PLEASE TELEGRAPH WE Ir/t/ESl ATE I SHALL BO

HUTCH INSON

333P

City of New York Police Department

Thomas A. Edison,

t'enlo Park, IT. J.

Pear Sir:

By direction of the police commissioner , I enclose herewith Police line Pass ITo. 107 made out' in your favor .

At your convenience, will you kindly acknowledge receipt of it to the undersigned?

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Door ■Sir

I havo ordered badges for the Honorary Com¬ mittee of which you are a neribor. 1 would appreciate you calling at the Hudson Street, entranoo to the First Regiment Armory between seven- thirty and eight o' olook tomorrow night, and ask for me so that I can haiid you your proper badgo.of office.

I an sorry indeed that tis o has been so short. It was impossible to have these badges delivered at such a late hour.

Thanking you, i remain

Very truly ypurs

w.

CHARISS E. HACK.

C } y

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”ir . j. C. Hackott,

Secrotury to Polio o Department,

City of liotv York.

Boar Sir:-

Allov: mo to thank you for your favor of tho Uth instant, enclosing. Polic-o Lino Pans l.o 107 in my favor. Please procont my compliment., to li-.- Enright and say to -him that I upprociato . this courtesy.

I viouia. like vory much to have a puss I r.o through the iiogucs Gallery. X wait to got .

oroolco so that I von't get stung so ^

rach

Yours vory truly.

Al'

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,/tilul.

CITY OF NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

May

18, 1918

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J.

% dear Mr. Edison:

Replying to your communication of the 16th inst. addressed to the Secretary of the Department , I beg to inform you that we shall be pleased to conduct you through the Headquarters Rogues Gallery at any time you do us the honor to call.

We have a choice line of photographs and measurements of many notorious orookB, and I regret exceedingly that we have not yet a complete record of the entire group, especially the smooth and painleBB operators in the upper strata, who sting the hardest.

*73

In the language of a Brother Morse -

k

Very sincerely yourB

May SO, 19X0.

Mr. Un. Jno. Boyd, Master, M.B. ,

Motor Snip "Mabel frown".

Mobile, Ala. : .

Boar Sir:--' . v

Heferring to f oj nor correspondence on tho cub- -jcct of transporting coal to Cuba and procuring return cargoes of roc sugar and mSilacsos to the Uni tod States,

I would stato that Mr. Edison lia eucecoded in interesting tho United States Government officials in the natter and further details should bo taken up with -then.

It is* sUggcstcthat 'all mattois in regard to tho availabilit;. of ships should bo taken up with Hon. Edward E. Hurley, Chr.yof the Uni tod States Shipping Board , Washington, B. C.

Che matter of procuring roturn curgoos of raw, sugar and molasses it is suggeetou should bo tafcon up with

Mho UnitoO States V.ar ’Mrade Board, bashington, B.C.

Mho International Sugar Committee, Mr. Coo. M. I-.olph, Chairman, 111 ball Stroot, llow York, li.Y.

Mr. U. Y. Morgan, t oprc-crintntivo for tho Uni tod States in Cuba for the Good and fuel Administra¬ tion, Mho liar, Mrade and Shipping Boards, at 403 Manzana do Gomez, Havana, Cuba.-’ ,

' Mr. Edison's solo purpose and intorost in tho natter has boon to get ship ownora int.-roetod mid got this trade ntartod. In this ho has -been successful to some oxtond and his. efforts have boon nado without solfish or monetary intorost personally, but -simply for tho good of ; tho cause. Mho mattor is now in tho hands of tho Govern mont and further information should come from them.

Mho quotation previously given you on the cost of coal at ilobllo,. vis. 06.10 trinnod in vossols, 1’. 0.3. Mobilo, Ala. , was furnished by tho Mobile Coal Co. of Mobile, who can furnish coal_ in largo quantities.

Thank inp you for your inter '.at in the Hattor, I Yours very truly.

Assistant to Mr. liaison.

ull)2 Iffirat fUctljn&iat Gfiiocnpal <Sl(urrl) at drntficll)

16 NfUi 3cm:

Dear Mrs Edison:

Federal Counoil of Churches,,

Clyde P Armitage,Seoretary Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:— I am informad that the Rev.Stephen J Herben,D.D., Westfield, Hew Jersey,has made application for appointmenlr as Amerioan Hdd Cross ohaplain for immediate servioe in the hospitals of France.

I desire to say that I have known Dr Her hen for the last six years ,and that I have a high regard for his character and servioe as a minister, and believe that he is peculiarly fitted for the particular servioe he desires to render in Franoo for the benefit of our wounded and suffering men. He is a man of pronounoed and undeviating pat riot ism, and ,in my Judgment, would serve the oause of America with efficiency and high oredit if appointed to the position for which* he had made application.

■yery sincerely, — 7 , L .7

(Signed) / ^jry/

Of oourse this is merely a suggestion. It may not/4uit the feeling of Hr Edison. He may want to ohange the .Character of the letter. It will be all right if he does. A would pre¬ fer to have him write Just what he himself would like to say.

I know it would be more acceptable than thee Bentenoes that I am suggesting. Hay I ask that the letter be sent to me as soon as it is convenient for Mr Edison to attend to it, for I am especially keen to have all the application matters at¬ tended to at an earl* date. I said that I would be ready to go by July 1st, if that were desired by the people at Washing¬ ton. Sb,you see, time is an element in the transaction.

I will apprsaiate it very much if you can have Mr Edison do this eefvioe for me and for the Cause.

. ft* „ (*-« * l '1

d

Ifcy 31,1910 •

federal Council of Churches, jir. Clydo f. jirinitnro, Secretary, Y.ashinRton, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

1 am informed that tlio i-.ov. Stephon J. ilcrbon, D.D., of" V.cBtfibj d , ilov. Jorsoy, has made application for appointmont uo .ti.no r icon hoi Cross Chaplain for immediate sorvic-o in tho hoapitaln of trance.

I doBiro to say that I have hnownDr. Ilorbon for the last six yoaic, and that 1 have a high repaid for hiB character and servieo as a Uinisfei , and boliovo that ho is peculiarly f if tod for tho paitieulai eorvico ho dosiroa to rondor in franco for tho benofit of our wounded and sufforinp men. :Io is a man of pronounced and undoviatinp patriotism, and, in my judpomont, would sorvo tho eaueo of ^jnoricanwith efficiency and high credit if appointod to the position for which ho has mado applica¬ tion.

Yours very truly,

Hon. Thomas A. Edison,

East Orange, H. J. . ^ Cril*' .

I am enclosing herewith a copy of our mMes^litti^C^''

I am enclosing herewith a copy of our moae8 booklet "Somewhere in France-, which may interest you*tj * /

On June 15, 1918, 4,081 journeymen members of this ^7 union and 656 apprentices were in the army and navy forces of^ the United States and Canada.

Seventy-five of our members have fallen in battle in France or have died in military camps in America.

To the widows, orphans, fathers, mothers or other relatives of these men this International Union has paid mortuary benefits amounting to $22,350.

During the past twelve months this International Union has paid $354,000 to 1500 old age pensioners.

In the same period this union has paid mortuary

to $312,400. ^ ■(* '

.CM .A

benefits amounting

-2-

The total expense for the maintenance and for im¬ provements at the Union Printers Home at Colorado Springs last year was $167,600.

ThiB Union has invested $30,000 in each of the three Liberty Loans — $90,000 in all. Our subordinate organizations and individual members have invested more than $3,000,000 in these seourities.

Our strike expenses for the past twelve months were but $1.237.

The gross earnings of our members amounted to more than $71,000,000 for the year for 62,000 members, and the insignificant amount expended for strike purposes refleots our determination to give full patriotic support to the gov¬ ernments under which we live in the terrifio responsibilities which now oonfront us all.

The officers of this International Union are vol¬ unteers in the Army for the Preservation of Industrial Peace for the duration of the war at least, and we will do our level best to give full effeot to the earnest recommendations made by President Wilson in his proclamation creating the National War Labor Board. There should be no strikes or lookouts during

the war.

-3-

This International Union neither eolioitB nor aooepts contributions to its benefit fundB. Every dollar expended for these purposes is paid by members of this organisation in the form of regular dues and assessments.

May I request just a few words of good cheer from you to present to the delegates who will attend our annual convention in Scranton, Pa. in August next?

I assure you they will be appreciated greatly.

With best wishes, I am

Yours sincerely,

July 3, 1918.

’ii. Ilarsden G.. Scott, ' . , „

President. International fypographicul Union,

Boston Claypool Building,

IndinapoliB, Indiana.

pear Hr. Scott:.

I havo road your letter v.ith much interest and thank you for sending me 1 ho little bookontitlod

International I’ypogi aphical Union nay v.oll be very prou .

• • I cousidor your -Union one of the host because J

uso the intellect instead of a club, and I vrant to ontend ny

splendid shotting you have made in .hcoo strenuous i.ar tine..

Yours very truly.

CJul-J

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July 6,1910.

I.Sr. A. J. Dittonhoofoi , Vanderbilt Hotel,

Park avo - ,

Hew York, II. Y\

Hear Sir:-

Your favor of the 6th instant to Hr. . Edison has boon received, end I regrot to say that it will- not be possible to bring it to his immediate attention. Ho has boon working, day arid night, for the Govornmont on special experi¬ ments, in which work he has boon engaged for over 18 months.

Those experiments huvo -necessitated his frequent absence from the laboratory for varying poi ioda of time. Ho is away at the presont tire, and the only thing I can do in to keep year letter and call his attention to it at tho first favorable opportunity.

Yours very truly

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

‘A/6412 .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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hlXct

July 13,1910.

Oho Eight Honorable Sir George H. held.

Chairman, Oho British Empire Club, is st. Juno 'a Square.'

London, S. Vi. 1,

England. •

Ky dear Sir:-

I have boon away from home quite a 11 trio in connection V; 1th my work for our Government, which will- explain the reason for the delay, in replying to your letter;

lour invitation. to appoint a i opresontative . to bo nroposod by you an a ■ i*. ember of the British Empire Club is greatly approc later, and I bog to name as such roereaontativo Captain a. I1, hapner of the Thomas A. Edison Limited, l'G4 Lardour Street, London, V.eot.

Yours very truly.

• A/5452,

Lson expects you to' charge .to him any initiat ;al to your becoming a member of the Club, With kind regards', I remain fours very truly,.

Edison Kinetoscopes

Motion Picture Films

Apr/GA. August 3th 1918.

EDISON DICTATING MACHINES.

William H. Meadowcroft Esq.,

Assistant to Mr. Edison,

Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison,

ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A.

My dear Mr. Meadowcroft,

I am very pleased to see your signature on letter dated 15th July which reminds me of our pleasant meeting in August 1915; that now seems a long while ago and great events have happened in the meantime, but I am hoping to have the pleasure of meeting you again either in London or Orange some¬ time in the future when the War has been brought to a successful termination.

I am sure that with the enormous efforts now being put forward by the United States that happy time is not far distant.

I note your information to the effect that Mr. Edison has written a letter to Sir George H. Reid, proposing me as his representative for membership of the British Empire Club, and, needless to Bay, I shall be only too glad to carry out Mr. Edison's wishes.

I presume that I shall hear further on the subject from Sir George H. Reid or the Club Secretary in due course.

Reciprocating your good wishes, I remain, Yours truly.

DICTATED ,TOb AND TRANSCRIBED FROM THI

IE EDISON DICTATII

The Hew Bbbitt Hotel, 14tli & "F" Street, H.iv. Washington, 3.0. September IV, 1918.

Mr . Thomas A. Edison,

Thomas A. Edison laboratory.

Orange, Hew -Jersey,

My dear Mr. Edison:

The War Department has requested that I get a letter of recommendation from three prominent men with whom I have been conneoted recently, and to whom I could refer as to my character, experience, and qualification in Construction Engineering, and Executive.

If you can consistently write me a letter of recommendation, I will appreciate it very much .

Please address me care of the above V/ashington address, where I expect to be for a few days.

With kindest personal regards for yourself and Mrs. Edison, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

§ a/yyijLLAjC .

\

Sopt.

£1,1918.

Ur. Samuel C. Shaf frier, xhe il oh Ubbitt Ho lei, ■

14th ana "I?" Streets, ii. i. . ,

V. ashing ton, D. 0.

Dear Ur. Shaffnor :

V.hile I wish you success in That you ero undertaking at present, 1 Mihail have to ask you to G/.euco mo from, writing a letter of recommnnda- tion as you roquest.

As you nay naturally suppose, I have boon asked a great many times for letters of recommenda¬ tion in similar cases, but on account of my official qonnoction with the Government 1 have felt, it was the best 'policy not to givo them. i have carried this policy out strictly, even in regard to many persons who have been very closo to me, and evon to connections of my own family.

Yours very truly.

J./E716.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison, j

Kenlo Park, ]f. J.

Dear Ur. Edison:

The National Dos’d of Earm organizations , which represents some three million organized American farmers, has undertaken, through its Agricultural Reconstruction Committee, to inquire into "the present status of organ¬ ized farmers in the affairs of the nation, and to report what changes should be made in the reconstruction after the war, and how these changes can best be brought about",

I have been asked, as the enclosed letter indicates, to represent the National Hoard in an effort to secure information concerning ouch of the reconstruction plana and purposes of other nations no may interest or affect tile farmers of America. Eo>r this purpose I propose to visit as many of the European countries friendly to our government as may be practicable, I expect to sail about the middle of October, and to be gond six months.

You will, I am sure, be in sympathy with this

undertaking. Therefore I venture to ask whether you would he willing to give me a general letter of intro¬ duction, which would be of special value because of the war. Individual letters to any agricultural or economic exDerts, or public men, especially in England , Prance, Holland, and Switzerland, whom in your judgment I ought to see in order to carry out the objects of my journey, would be highly useful and much appreciated.

I feel tile less hesitation in making this re¬ quest because the purpose of my going is not a personal one and because I believe there is a chance that the results may have public value.

With hearty thanks in advance for anything you may be able to do in this matter, believe me

enclosure

} um-M C&iw|«.Lcfc i> {Li. fypu'Ji

THE CALIFORNIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF. BLINDNESS

5137 WafflSBg'E'Nr’OTSf e e t .

&

October 1,1918.

.Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

West Orange,

Hew Jersey.

Dear iir. Edison:-

Ylhen you were in San Erancisco at the time of the Exposition,! had the plae- ure of visiting you at your hotel within the Exposition Grounds. Upon my inquiry at that time ^ you told me that you had at one time experimerue a with an ink which was to facilitate printing xor the Blind. If I recall correctly you said that tnc — ink was of a nature that caused the printing to so

P

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a •* -

3“ J -2-0 '

i b> i r 0

; ^ vj; As you know the present means of printing

~ t, volumes in the Braille system for the Blind is 3 O very cosily, awkward and exceedingly oulxy,a

o £ Shakespearean play, for example, requiring several o large volumes.

X. -w

— 2d * xn preparation for the problem of supplying

3 books to those of our Men who will return fr on

- the War Blinded,! am exceedingly anxious to leu-m

>«. Tj 3 Whether you have ever completed your researches _Li 1 along the lines mentioned and whether^it 18 . V ooesible for me to have access to whatever you

’ 0 have accomplished in the work for tne purpose of

- ^ -o aiding me in my efforts along those lines.

\ \ 5 It is of course unnecessary for me to mention

^ ^ 0 to you the great importance of takingadvantageof

every available means of improvement in the field or l o alleviating the distresses of the Blinded ana I assure you that any assistance you may render in the cause r. will be appreciated mightily.

ij -1 wowing that I may be honored with your invaluable

“2T* Co-operation in the work, and, with oest wishes to you,

I remain

/ — " "xlespectfully yours

G

October 9,1910.

;,;r . jidwin iilsbucli,

3127 Washington street, San Francisco, Cal.

Dear bir:-

I have received your letter of October 1st, in regard to an ini: with which to facilitate printing for tho blind.

I novor completed the experiments in this connection. 1 used* arsenic acid in writing, and this swelled the paper up as high as tho embossing.

For the last twenty-one months i have been very busy on a 6orioB of experiments for the Govern¬ ment and expect that they will keep me busy for the duration of the V.ar, but as soon as tho V.ar is over I would suggest that you call my attention again to the matter. of this ink, and 1 will start some more experiments. I feel convinced that it can bo done satisfactorily.

Yours very truly,

and Yours for tho Fourth Liberty noun,

a/6793.

The War Service Association Manufacturers of Solder and Bearing Metals, inc.

30 CHUltCH STREET

\JU

14 r. Thomas A. Edison,/ Orange,

f doar Sir :

Thanif( you atjjx^erely for the information contained in your favor of the 9th, I am transmit¬ ting a copy of your letter to our members and believe it will have an important bearing on fuel conservation.

AG /PEL.

Send by the Swedish Government to study the development

of the American industry during the last years, especially in the chemical trade, I find that one of the most importnat agents for the evolution <bf the industry is the scientific work, performed by the official and private research-institutions in the U. u.

You would oblige me very much by sending some informati¬ ons about your research-department , about the program during the last years and the specification of researches, testings or analys¬ is, occupying your scientific staff in this time. I suppose, that you have these objects printed in some annual reports?

If you have some snapshots, photos or pictures from

your Laboratories, I should be very pleased to receive some of them for illustrating my reports.

December 6,1918.

Hj. AnderBon-Teach.Esq.

Room 1862, Hotel MoAlpin, How York, H.Y.

Dear Sir:-

Replying to your letter of November 29th, we beg to say that we have no Researoh Department such as is generally implied by that term, nor have wo ever issued any printed matter on that subject. Our laboratories are engaged entirely on development and researoh work connected with our own onternrise only, and naturally wo cannot furnish any information in regard thereto.

Yours very truly,

Edison laboratory.

A/6063.

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December JL3, 1918.

Mr. James K. Parsons,

3 Edmonds Street,

Rochester, B. Y.

Dear Sir:-

I received your letter of December 9th, which was read with a good deal of interest and I want to thank you for the newspaper clipping. In 1871 I experimented with the quadruplex at the office of the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company in the Arcede at Rochester.

I am glad to learn that’ you .and your3 are . well and comfortable, and am glad tc hear from one of the Old- Time Telegraphers.

"73"

Yours very truly.

A/6105.

■December 13,1918.

lirg. Frank Thompson,

50 Snowden Street,

. Forty Tort, Penna.

Hr. Edison has read your letter of the 6th instant with much interest and. wishes us to say that his wife does no.t soold because so many people aot unjustly. He says that if she shouaa try to do this she would get tired out.

Yours very truly,

Edison laboratory.

A 6106.

December 23,1918.

Capt. A. F. Wagner,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ltd.,

16S Ward our Street,

London, Wl",

England .

My dear Captain Wagner: ‘

Mr. Edison wishes me to write and ask you if you oan obtain for him a oopy of the original oontraot made by the London Gaslight and Coke Company, whereby a part of any savings that they effected should go towards reducing .the price of gas to the public, and the other part of such savings should go to the Company. This contract was in force many years, and Mr.. Edison would like to know its history, and whether or not it is now in force, also what it accom¬ plished. He says that you can probably get this information from the President or Manager of the Company.

At the time the contract was made, Mr. Edison considered it the most valuable contract ever, made between the public and a company, and he still thinks so.

The London Gaslight & Coke Company publish a' balance sheet. This is probably contained in their Annual Heport. If it is not, Mr. Edison Would like to have a oopy each of their last balance sheit and Annual Heport.

Wishing you the Compliments of the Season, I remain, - ^

Very truly yours.

.Assistant to Mr. Edison.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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29 December 1918.

Mr. Sh08. A. Edison,

Genmore lewellyn Park, Hast Orange, II. J.

Captain Dayton regrets that owing to his absence from the city on duty he will be unable to accept the very kind invitation of Mr. Edison at a reception

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Band [not selected] (E-18-26)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to a performing musical group of Edison Storage Batt ery Co. (E SBCo) employees variously known as the Edison Brass Band or the Edison Industries Band. Almost all of the items for _ 1918 are responses to job advertisements, placed in music magazines by band director Prof- Henry Restorff, seeking office and factory workers with performing skills and experience on various instruments. ESBCo office manager Robert F. R handled the correspondence with prospective employees, explaining duties and rates of pay. Other documents relate to instrument repair, performance engagements for the band, a uniform order, and price lists.

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Choral Society (E-18-27)

This folder contains documents relating to the Edison Choral Society, a short-lived organization of Edison company employees. Robert Bachman, general manager of the Edison Storage Battery Co., served as president, while Mina Miller Edison was the society's official "patroness." The one document for 1918 is an invitation to the society's inaugural concert at the Newark Edison Shop. It bears Edison's marginal reply "no."

THE EDISON CHORAL SOCIETY

West Orange, H.J., June 19th, 1918,

Hi-. Thomas A. Edison,

The first concert of The Edison Choral Society '.fill be given at the Kevrark Edison Shop, tio. 861 Broad Street, on Tuesday, July 2nd, 19i8, at 8:50 p.m.

You are cordially invited to be present.

The Society has just completed its initial season of successful rehearsals, and its repertoire includes an interesting and excoxlent variety of songs.

Further, tno services of several talented artists, vocal and instrumental, have been secured, insuring an evening of delightful music.

In addition to the enjoyment afforded, your presence will greatly encourage the members of the Sooiety in the continuation of their work.

Sincerely,

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Engineering Society (E-1 8-28)

This folder contains documents relating to the Edison Engineering Society, an association for engineers employed by the Edison companies. The one item for 1 91 8 is an undated three-page essay by senior experimenter and engineer William W. Dinwiddie entitled "Objects of Edison Engineering Society." It is primarily a criticism of the group for drinking at meetings and paying too little attention to the declining role of engineers in corporate leadership.

Prime

Pandam

) 20 PROMOTE OUB IHDIVIDUAL EPFICIiJHOX A1ID THE KFKQXEHCY OP T£

( WHOLE EDI SON 0H0A1II ZA2I0H •

/ To tetter understand our funotion in the organization and take our place /and shoulder our responsibility.

/ We should first malm it our business to answer the technical questions that may bo put to us in our on specialty, but thiB 1b only a passive Bort of position. .'0 are a little better than a booh on a shelf, and if some very aggressive clerk or accountant happens to be directing our function and ho dbes I not care to consult us when we should be consulted, and takes the wrong course, he may be blamed for it and another man put in his place to repeat the process etc. etc. but it is more likely that he can make one of us the goat.

lie should accept our part of the responsibility and insiBt on v/hat wo know is right for the benefit of the organization even if we are not going to bo blamed for it being done wrong.

This sort of active course is more or less dangerous and troublesome, and we have got to eiqiect to make mistakes and take the blame. But if we do not take the responsibility and the ignorant but aggressive man does, and uses us to promote , his own interest we have no one but ourselves to blame.

(fe&w V.e have got to hand it to the clerical men for having taken the innitiatlvo

and organized the whole place as well as it ha3 beon organized. We have been a bunch of boobs to let them get away with it. 2hey deserve credit for wha,t they have done.

I do not take an antagonistic attitude toward them; they have done their best and used us the best they could, when we showed no innitiative.

For us to take the active course, v.e have to work like the Devil. The clerk

running a division does not have to work half as hard because he can always disclaim responsibility for technical mattors and start all over again with a now enginoer whenever he gets into trouble, but the engineer has no alibi bo he has to shoulder the real responsibility.

The enginoer should know moro than anyono else about his own specialty, and he should know something of the work of every man he has any dealings with. It is these aide lines that give us trouble.

V,e should know business. V.e should know all about cost and depreciation and maintenance and overhead.

We should know how to handle men, or rathor to help them to handle themselves.

Organization based on authority breaks down entirely under present . conditions. It is like Autocracy with no power. This kind of organization is hong down from the top. ' Organization must now be based on responsibility, and built up from the bottom. It is true democracy. It is not socialism' and has nothing to do with majority rule. It is controlled by confidence based on ability. Hen willingly reoognize superior ability and willingly lean on you if you demonstrate it.

V,e must know the principles of bookkeeping and accounting; we mast know the difference between and investment and an expenso account. If we do not inform ourselves on these matters some slick bookkeeper who knows nothing at all about the real work of our organization will put one over on ub whenever we are the least bit aggressive.

\$p\ We should know something of contracts and business law and Insurance.

/ Ave have no time to take regular coursea in all of these things. I believe that rigljt / here in theoe meetings of our engineering society we oan prepare ourBelves on all

/ suoh side lines. We can get outsiders to talk to ub and we oan discuss those things

I among ourselves, and form definite policies and safe policies for ourselves and the j organization.

V/^~ The main education of some people is directed to making a good first impressi;

'but I have found it much better defensive tactics to make a rather poor first improssi; and when a controversy arises your adversary comes with Mb gun loaded with fine bird shot, and he discover s that he should have had buck shot.

\ It is best

\ are after and then

it up and down according to clrcumsta

what you

, 1 „„ ,,,, um, xoura from discussion in our

Shore is much of a technical lB ttot we should ho good experimenters

mootings, file first thing required of all ™ ® to jma out [something to ovarcono

discuss syntactic ways < of ho honafitod. certain dlfflcultioa o t to discover l»pro B0ldom understood by engineers.

^oriment^isasoimoo^tsolf^^ ^ tQ ^ wao Litton

aoCM'oars ago by°u lawyer, novum Organum ]lave hoen of much benefit

' T^not tl^ that tho mootings ™ ^ o^tancoranoo man which 1 third:

— to° far 111 tha 0Pl,0Dit0

dir00fci°“-sl1o, you that 1 an not « crash on this subject 1 will give you a cot, plots answer to anyone that is.

Uy unole, John ilinwiddle, “ “ intemperate

Shoro Z a groat station in ^osh^^^e^th^ ^ ^ ^ t0

- -ifsys i^.5S*- - - stfs zs^xstssr

S s&i£t ir*""' « w “ ~“J-

His character was in every way ^ BttBCflt „ when he finisiicd his

A member of his congregation told hta of tho^ ^ ^uld l;rGaoh a sermon on evening sermon he armounood that ;a* the following Aun^/ tQ thQ door8.

temperance. .hen tiro time arrived his ^hitl^a^oon made on him ho began his sermon by Y.itliout any allusion to the attach lienor and tho doplorahlo state to

reviewing somo instances of tho ho then stated that the bible was fhll

^rlcoLSon^fit incite proper place, and .noted and consented about as foil

God

It to be uood in liis worship*

— as-TT^Sr JftS STM.-eS r-

_ . „„ Mt> oi uino for a drinh offoring shnlt thou

‘“B ^ H^T^of^rTnglSu^t of fer^tha* tMrd°part°o f* on hin of

thfl -nen of it and accordingly comaundod 2his shows that tho Lord himself lovod tho smell

sss-ars sv“™ is&

» Tnrflni both mm wooon* to every

I8t. Chron. ~M -3"** seed pieJo of flesh, and a flagon of wine.-

It to he used no raedloino.

proverbs xm -6 "Give strong aria* to him that is ready to perish, ana wine mito tlioso that bo of heavy heart a" ,

-7 "Lot him drink and forgot his povorty, and remember his misery no iporo" This can moan nothing else than to got dead drunk.

a littlo wino for thy stomachic

Uoro is doeoribod a wodding feast to which Josus and hio mother wero lnvltod quests. After tho man wore 'Veil drunk" as it says, Josuo himself turned six water pots of \»tor into nine that they mitfit further indulge themselves. A water pot hald two or throe lirklno and tho total contents of tho Bis must havo boon somewhere betweon 96 and I oO Gallons. We are not told how many guests wore tliere, but this mount would put a rather largo party under the table.

Christ drank wine habitually.

e neithor eating r

r drinking, aid they say "Ue liatli a

Cavil."

iy ■xm- son of man oome eating and drinking, and they say " Behold a Man o gluttonoue, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners'; but B VII 33-34-36 wisdom is Justified of her ohlldron.

' " They did not call him a drunkard but seme as "boon heiBter"

"v.ino blbbor" moans about tho

Christ, when lie instituted tho aaoriment of "She Lord's supper" GOtimanded all of his daolples to drink wine, lie told thorn then Matthew XXVI - 29 "But I say unto you, 1 will not drink hence foilth of this fruit of tho vine, until that day when 1 drink it new with you in my father's Kingdom" in which he told than that wino will ho drunk in Heaven.

Shat this wino whioh Christ drank, and which was usod hy the early Christians in the sacriment was fermented alcoholio liquor is proved hy tho foot tliat tto Corinthians got drunk on it and tliroatoned to bring tho ohuroh into disgrace.

Paul gavo them H - about it as follov/st-

Ist. Corinth. ^ -21 "for in eating everyone tokoth boforo other his own supper; and one is hungry , nrol anothor is drunken.

22 "What I Havo yo not houses to eat and to drink in ? or dospiso yo the ohnroh of God, and shame them that havo not ? -'hat ohall 1 say to you ? shall 1 praise you in this ? 1 praise you not.

Tho old man then oonoludod his somon by rending tho 6th. chapter of 1st. Corinthiansi ( This is tho chapter that ends vdth-"lf meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while tho world standeth, lest 1 mako my brother to offend" ) and rooommendod to his hearers that thero was one reason that should appeal to all for abstaining from drink. That while it might not harm you or mo to drink now and then our influence was likoly to lead othors to drink who perhaps might not control tholr taote for it and bo lod to ruin.

Most of us aro men of nature experience and not likoly to got into trouble by having a fov; glasses of booze at our mootingo but there may bo young men, with useful cursors for tho organization ahead of them that we may start wrong in those very mootings, end daBtroy or greatly limit their usefulness.

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Field Day [not selected] (E-18-29)

This folder contains documents relating to the seventh annual Edison Field Day, a series of recreational activities and athletic contests for employees at which the inventor served as honorary referee. The one item for 1918 is a mimeographed announcement pertaining to advance ticket sales and entries for the track and field events.

Edison General File Series

1918. Edison International Corporation [not selected] (E-18-30)

This folder contains documents relating to the Edison International Corp., successor to New Jersey Products, Inc., as the sales company for Edison's chemical output. Its president was Charles Edison and its vice presidents were Stephen B. Mambert and Archibald C. Emery. The one item for 1918 is an annual meeting notice.

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Pioneers (E-18-31)

This folder contains documents relating to the Edison Pioneers, an organization established in 1918 for men, primarily in the electric light and power industry, who were employed by Edison in the years prior to 1 886. The major correspondents are Edison's personal assistant William H. Meadowcroft, who served as the association’s historian, and Frederick A. Scheffler, a former draftsman and isolated lighting plant designer, who was the treasurer. The documents for 1918 pertain primarily to the organization of the Pioneers. Included are letters regarding efforts to secure an autographed photograph of Edison for each member, attempts to obtain historical papers from Robert T. Lozier, and the membership qualifications of a few individuals, such as Edward H. Mulcay. There is also a list of members, including those present at the first luncheon, along with a printed circular signed by the association's president, Francis R. Upton. Related material can be found in the Edison Pioneers record group at the Edison National Historic Site. A finding aid is available.

Approximately 25 percent of the documents have been selected. Most of the unselected material consists of additional internal administrative correspondence between Meadowcroft and Scheffler. Also unselected are a draft blank membership form, newspaper clippings, and items duplicating the information in the selected material.

FRANCIS R. UPTON

1. MEAOOWCROFT

EDISON PIONEERS

FRED'K A. SCHEFFLER

ROBERT T. LOZIER

Hew York, March 1,19X8

W.

.H.Meadowcro ft, Secretary, Thomas A. Edison, Orange.H. J.

Dear Mr.Meadowcroft.

Am glad to hand you herewith complete

a.* .r »>» — •• *"• ,,ld tMir

d..= . The .tar. ladla.td thoa. P«»“‘ *» «“ fl”‘

luncheon. W(j have a moat excellent list.

You will note Hutchinson has oome in,

„ ..11 a. .«•»! .»«■ **“ ” 411 ”*

at the time of the luncheon.

I have also received a letter from Paris,

from icuis Rau. who signs himself -Bean of European Kdison

Pioneers."

With kind regards, I am,

Very truly yours,

PAS-L

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

EDISON PIONEERS

Aches on. Dr. Edward O. Andrews, W. S.

05 West 42nd St., New York City. 106 Park Ave., Schenectady, N. Y.

Brewster, Wm. F. *Brock, W. M. Beggs, John I.

Burt , A. R. *Benton, C. A. *Beves, A. S. Bradley, C. S. Bush, A. R.

1827 Edison Bldg., Chioago, Ill. Paterson, N. J.

1428 First Natl. Bank Bldg.,

Milwaukee, Wis.

General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. 103 Park Avenue, Hew York City.

New York City.

Sohenectady, N. Y.

Casho, Joseph Clarke, Chas. I. Callahan, Denis

* Campbell, H. A.

1708 W. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y. Sprague Electric Works of General Elec.

Company, Bloomfield, N. J.

Hew York City.

’Donshea, William I. *Dyer, Philip S. *Dwyer, John

65 Duane Street, New York City.

1 West 64th Street, New York City. General Electric Company, 120 Broadway, New York City.

*Estabrook, Charles E.

70 State Street, Boston, Mass.

1170 Broadway, Dew York City.

General Eleotrio Company, 120 Broadway, New York City.

Francis, W. H. Francis, H. M.

Edison Company, 39 BoylBton Street, Boston, Mass.

71 Broadway, New York City.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

ISP 15 OH BIONKEB3 (Oont.)

Grower, Geo. G. "Gilmore, W. E.

Ansonia, Conn.

119 Prospect Street, East Orange,

II. J.

•Howell, John W. •Howell, Wilson •Hammer, Edwin W. •Hammer, Wm. J. Hatzol, J. C. Huey, Arthur S.

Hutchinson, J.

•Hastings, F. S.

General Eleotrio Co., Harrison, II. J. Pleas antville, B. Y.

160 Broadway, How York City.

55 Liberty Streot, Hew York City.

89 West 119th Street, Hew York City. Hoorn 1900 - 206 South La Salle Streot , Chicago, Ill.

Electro Mochanical Laboratories,

1 Bishop Street. , Montreal, P. Q.

80 Broadway, Hew York City.

Insull, Samuel

72 West Adams Street, Chicago, Ill.

Jenks, W. J. Jefferson, Charles r..

The Attleboro Sanitorium, Attleboro, Mass. Schenootady, H. Y.

•Kiddle, Alfred Tf.

Knight, Arthur S. •Klein, Philip H. King, Charles G. Y.

115 Broadway, Hew York City.

309 Sears Building, Boston, MaBS.

23 Dowd Street, Montreal, Canada. Commonwealth Edison Company, 72 V. Adams

*Latimer, L. H. *Losier, Eobert *Lieb. J. W. Lang's on, John Lindsay, Eobert

160 Broadway, Hew York City.

124 East 16th* Streot, Hew York City.

ClevelandCElectrio Illuminating Company, 619 Illuminating Bldg. .Cleveland, 0.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

EPIBOH PIONEERS (Cont.)

Pighthipe, J. A. Langton, John

Southern California Edison Company, LOB Angeles, Cal.

233 Broadway, Hew York City.

*Mitohell, S. S. •Ueadoworoft, Fm. •Martin, T. C. Moaeman, Geo. H. *Mungle, Alex. ’'Moore, M. F.

*Moo re, Alex. T. *MorriBon, Geo. F.

II.

■“McClain, John F.

*Mott , S. P.

246 West End Avenue, Hew York City. Orange, H. J.

Hew York City.

176 Federal Street, Boston, Mobs.

266 Canal Street, New York City.

Koeelle, H. J.

Hew York City.

General Electric Company, 120 Broadway, Hew York City.

Vice-Pres. Remington Typewriter Company, 374 Broadway, How York City.

Passaic, N. J.

Hioholla, Frederic

Toronto, Canada.

*0tt, John F.

34 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Eidge, H. J.

Paine, S. B. •Philips, Eugene H, •Pelaer, William Price, Charles R. Porter, Joseph F.

Boston, MasB.

11 Ebbox Avenue, Orange, H. J.

343 East 6Bth St., How York City. Hew Bedford, Mass.

Kansas City Street & power Company, Kansas City, Mo.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

*Raoh, Christian

ED IS OH PIONEERS (Cont.)

18 Puller St., Schenectady, H. Y.

•Smithere, F. S. •Stephenson, Henry *Sohoffler, P. A. ♦Shaw, P. B. ♦Spencer, Thos.

525 Park Avenue, Hew York City.

130 East 15th Street, How York City.

Pennsylvania Bldg. , Philadelphia, Pa. 1628 Alameda Ave. , lakewood, Cleveland, Ohio.

♦Tate, Alfred A.

318 West 39th Street, Hew York City.

East Orange, H. J.

Wefcer, Peter

• Wardlaw, Prank A.

* Wurttz, Charles H.

* Wilson, Premont vaddell, Montgomery

*Wirt, Oharles

Weeks, Edwin R.

Wurth, Charles H. ♦Wheeler, Dr. S. S.

Newark, H. J.

Hew York City.

lS^fassau Street, Hew York City.

30 Churoh Street, Hew Yo3*

Armat & Lena, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.

604-7 Hew Helson Building,

Kansas City, Mo.

177 High Street, Orange, It. J.

President Crocker-Wheeler Company ,

4

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

ED IS OH PIOHEEBS (Oont.)

*Baoh, Christian

18 Smaller St., Schenectady, H. Y.

*Smi there , P. S. •Stephenson, Henry •Soheffler, P. A.

♦Spencer, ThoB.

Pennsylvania Bldg. , Philadelphia, Pa. 1628 Alameda Ave., lakewood, Cleveland, Ohio.

•Tate, Alfred A.

318 West 39th Street, Hew York City.

* Dpt on, P. E.

East Orange, H. 3,

Weber, Peter

* Wardlaw, Prank A.

* Wurtts, Charles H.

* Wilson, Premont Waddell, Montgomery

*Wirt, Charles

Weeks, Edwin B. Wurth, Charles H.

•Wheeler, Dr. S. S.

Jowark, 11. 3,

Sew York City.

Dranfte. H. . J.

154 Hassau Street, Hew York City. 30 Church Street, Hew York City.

Pa.

604-7 Hew HelBon Building,

KaneaB City. Mo.

177 High Street, Orange, H. 3.

President Crocker-Wheeler Company, Ampere, H. J.

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	Bovember 1,19X8,
	Mr. Fred'k A. Soheffler, 85 Liberty Street, , Hew York, fl.Y.
	My dear Soheffler:
	'I return, herewith, the enolo'sed letter from Albert E. Winchester, addressed to you. He aurely 13 entitled to membership in the Associa¬ tion, for he is one of our important Old Timers, and I heartily. endorse his applioation. He is one of our good Old Soouts.
• s / ;iy	I shall ha glad to see the proof of the constitution and by-laws when you have same ready. As to the photographs of Mr. Edison, there is good progress being made. I told the Photographer to make 140, so as to be on the safe side. Ab to auto¬ graphing them I will watoh an opportunity and put the question u$ to Mr. Edison for his favorable con¬ sideration. Haturally, I will dooall I can to get . him to accede to the proposition.
A f / • ■ :k\	I"- suppose you have no later news for me as to the papers from Brother Lozier. I had hoped to get out a oiroular letter to each one of the members, calling for biographic 1 material and a photograph i of the victim in each case. If we can't get the papers from Lozier, I think I will go ahead and got out a. oiroular letter anyway. If you have any remarks to offer concerning this, I shall be glad. to get them.
. ;	Sincerely, -
■l/il	’ Enclosures. ,\
: 4/\

franc's 'rTpton EDISON PIONEERS

VICE PRESIDENTS

S. Z. MITCHELL 1870 • I88S

T. COMMERFORD MARTIN

WILLIAM H. MEADOWCROFT

SECRETARY ROBERT T. LOZIER

Nov. 15, 1918.

V/. H. Headowcroft, Sec., Thomas A. Edison, Inc., Orange, if. J.

Dear Meadowcrof t:-

I am glad you are holding the photographs until Hr.

Edison can autograph them.

Have not yet received final proof of constitution and by-laws from the printer, hut I expect it any day.

If you can get the photos autographed during the next week, it will he perfectly satisfactory.

I do not remember E. H. Hulchay , hut will make some

inquiries about him.

With kind regards, I beg to remain

Yours sincerely,

Edison General File Series 1918. Edison Portland Cement Company (E-18-32)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business of the Edison Portland Cement Co. (EPCCo), based in northwestern New Jersey. Among the items for 1918 are communications from financial executive Stephen B. Mambert pertaining to general cond^ons and progress and to Francis R. Upton's status as a longtime director ofthe company. Also included are letters from EPCCo president Walter S. Ma ory concerning opportunities to sell concrete to the U.S. government for war- related projects and Henry Ford's gift of a tractor for use on company farmland. In addition, there is a promotional letter, signed by Edison, about postwar sales.

Approximately 15 percent ofthe documents have been selected. The unselected material includes internal business correspondence concerning shippinq and billing; copies of weekly bulletins to salesmen, daily production and shipping reports; meeting notices; and printed advertising materials, trade periodicals, and government priority production rules.

Dear Mr. Edisons

Of the progress being made by our various industries the one that is making by far the greateet strides, and thus affords me the most pleasure in telling you about, is the Edison Portland Oement Company. This, of oourse, is as it should be at the present time.

Our total sales for 191V were $2,500,000. The volume of business for 1918 lies entirely in what we can produce. Our Prin¬ cipal outlet for the year will be the export business to Cuba, Central and South Amerloa. Only one other Cement concern is getting ready for export business and that is Lehigh, which is mating the same preparations as we are. The other companies are Just thinking and talking about export.

As Mr. Mallory has advised you, he is preparing for a personal campaign to get large domestic contracts, in line • wi*h work, it will he up to him to see that we get our fair share of Govern¬ ment orders, which at the present time are at the rate of 10,000 barrels per day. As an indication of the extensive construction work which the government now has under way. you will be interested in the following comparison of contracts for building and construction work placed during the month of January 1918, as compared with the month of

January 1917 j

January

1918-

+ January

- 1917

Entire United StateB

- $441,000,000 19055 $152,000,000

Edi sen Territory;

Hew England - -- -- -- - -

New York and Northern New Jersey - -

Eastern Penn. , Southern N. J. , - - - Hd. , Pel. , P.0, and Virginia - - - Western Penn. , W.Va. and Ohio - - -

9,000,000 *0%

14,000,000 3555

57,000,000 47055 56,000,000 2&05S

16,000,000 22,000,000 .

10,000,000 S -fiMr/vt-

14,000,000

On Oement sales we have lived up to tout schedule for the first Six ronths of Plan "D" Year - September to February inoluBive - having shipped and billed 560,000 barrels. There are 700,000 barrels due be shipped from Maroh to August, and with Mr. Mallory having the bulk of

his tine free to work In the field I will he disappointed if we do not greatly exceed this figure.

Our Limestone sales are ahead of Plan "D" Bobedule, for while the sohedule from September to February calls for 34,000 tons, aotual shipments have been 40,000 tons. Effective on shipments after June 1st, the price on limestone is to be raised 26/ per ton.

We are working to a reputation that we are the people who are reliable, and the trade will come to us in oases of emergency. We will then remind our trade that they come to us with their emergency business, which is expensive for us to meet, ani that we are entitled to Borne of their regular business. There is not one competitor who will be able to keep up in our olass on servloe when we get under way. Everything is being stimulated which shows the slightest tendenoy toward retarding our output, whioh means diligent watching on our part, in view of present conditions in the material markets.

As you know, during January and February the mill was run on limestone only. We did not start Cemsnt operations on Maroh 1st, as origin¬ ally planned, due to the unusual coal and weather oonditions, and the manu¬ facture of limestone is being continued until the stock of Cement on hand is the minimum quantity it would be safe to maintain without losing a barrel of expjrt business. This will take us up to about April 1st, and then, when we start operations on Cement we can consider

(1) Punning the mill on Sundays

(2) Running a shjrter period 6n Limestone in the summer.

That our action in running the mill on Limestone only during the winter was well taksn is emphasized by the fact that two competitive mills have been making Cement for $1.47 and $1.34 per barrel respectively, while under normal oonditions their cost runs about 76/.

During one nwnth - November - we had our cost down as low as 85/, f.o.b. oars. We are now aiming for a 70/ month, and while that is a high peak of efficiency, we believe it to be within our reach on a test run of 30 days with the mill tuned up to the maximum. The impetus gained during suoh a nonth should be of lnsting benefit to us, and after the first 70)5 month it will be easier for us' to have other months like it.

With (1) the new innovations at Oxford explained in the follow¬ ing paragraph, (2) packing by Bates maahines, (3) low pressure sir in the kilns , and sundry other installations and improvements for increasing production now in process, we look forward to making Borne very successful monthly operations.

1. oxford. There is being installed at Oxford 8 steam shovel, a dinkey locomotive, also the 50-ton steel derrick whioh has been located at #2 Quarry Site and supplementary equipment, at a total expenditure of $42,000. With this installation it is estimated that as a minimum the following savings in operations will be effeotedi

Saving of 12/ per ton on 1,000 tons - $ 12o*00 per day.

" "$120 per day for 300 days - 36,000.00 per annum.

rapidly as possible our export packing capacity. Five Bates . are being installed in No. 2 Packing House at a cost, lnoluding electrical equipment and machinery, such as elevators and screw return system, of §7500. It costs 37 1/2/5 per barrel to pack a; export, of vdiioh 22/! is storing and loading back to the car. T. of the above packing equipment is sufficient to offset the shor facilities, ani will save us money.

3. Air in Kiln Hoorn. Work is almost completed on the of a low pressure fan in the kiln room. This 1b very important mi-r ahrbin nf cnnroressed air. which in turn has been limiting

While talking about equipment, you may be interested in a letter that Ur. Mallory has received from Ur. Emery enclosing a list of Silver lake equipment and offering same at a depreciation of 33$ per year# Mr# Mallory replied that he expeoted to seoure some of this equipment at a very low price, as he knows some of it has been in use for three years, but he has not heard further from Mr. Emery.

At the Executive meeting held in the middle of January Mr. Mallory predicted that he would procure for the Edison Portland Cement Company an early spring season - to open up this year in the month of Maroh. The weather here for the past three weeks shows Mr. Mallory to be ahead of his schedule.

Word has been reoelved from our Philadelphia District Sales Manager that the Christmas telegram whioh went out over your name elicited favorable comments from sixteen of his dealers, and that it so impressed the Hut zt own.

Pa. dealer that he seoured a write-up on it in hiB town paper, our Philadelphia manager adds that "from our observations this telegram did a world of good.

in spite of the severity of the winter and the expense involved in all of the improvements we are making, etc. , we pulled through the month of Deoember with a oaBh loss of §30,000 and the month of January with a cash loss of §55,000. This is Just about double what I anticipated

it would to, tut at the wire time the outlook is bo good that I feel, are going to live down this Iobb. The general conditions with which have had to contend have teen a greater handicap to our competitors 1 they have been to ua, in view of the great enthusiasm with whioh we are working. We have put up a game fight this winter. Everything ia in our favor and we are going well. t

Dear Ur. Edison:

One or two things have ooourred that havo caucod mo to doubt the advisability of dropping Mr. Dpt on as a Director of the EdlBon Portland Cemont Oompany. 1 understand that Mr. Upton was ono of your former asso¬ ciates, who made considerable money in the oleotrioal game and subsequently lost itj also, that he has beon a Director of the Cement Company for 17 years, and if this is tho case it doos seom a shame to drop him Just at the time when wo expect to oomo out of our long continued sorioB of losses.

Of oouroo.

_ n Just coming into the Cement situation, more

ur less as a groenhorn, and! do not know all of tho past happenings which may have led to what Ur. Mallory now terms his estrangomont from Ur. Upton. But instead of Just dropping Mr. Upton without any consideration of his feelings I would liko to auggost that after you return to Orange, or before if you so (Sssire, you approve of ny getting in touch with Mr. Upton and permit /met to talk to him along the following linos:

"Mr. Upton, Mr. Edison doos not wish to bo a party to asking you to stay on the Board if tho President of the Company is absolutely objootlonablo to you. Che time of our annual olootlon is now drawing nigh and Ur. Edison would liko to feel that everything la harmonious. So have hopos that wo aro going to work out of thiB Comont Company situation in a very satisfactory manner and we certainly want all our relations to bo as pleasant as possible. "

As I do not know Upton I am not suro that such a lino of approaoh would be the right one, but it certainly does seem a shame to just arbitrarily kick a man out without a word of explanation, and 1 do not fool like being a party to it unless I very definitely understand that with your more complete knowledge of the situation it is the right thing to do.

I havo not tho slightest bit of doubt but that I will bo able to find seme way by whioh to bring about a rsoonoilation of these two old-time assooiates of yours, namely, Mallory and Upton. •

April 4, 1918.

Edison Portland Cement Company

T 40th Street

April ninth 19 18.

Dear Mr. Edison:

Showing that you are always interested in any development whioh will mean the increase in the con¬ sumption of Portland Cement, I am sending you the follow¬ ing information, so that you may he posted as to new developr ments.

CONCRETE SHIPS Doubtless you have seen from the public

' press sb to the launching of the oon-

oreta ship "Faith" on the Paoifio Coast.

I am informed that quite a number of oontraots have been made for reinforced oonorete ships and work will go ahead with them rapidly just as soon aB the of- fioial test has been made of the ship already launched, and vfoioh is expected will take plaoe about the 1st of June. In the meantime, the Government is getting ready some yards for the building of oonorete ships, so that they will be all ready to prooeed rapidly as soon as the test has been made.

You will remember that it was a year ago this month that you made the sugpation that our Cement Associ¬ ation build the first ship and show what oould be done, and if the oement manufacturers had been as far-sighted as you were, there would have been a good many oonorete ships afloat today.

The Government haB already appropriated §60.000,000 for use by the ahipping Board and undoubtedly will appropriated 160,000,000 more to be used by the Hous¬ ing Committee for building dwelling houses for employees who are engaged in Government work, and as there is an opportunity to use large quantities of if many of theBe housel oan be built of oonorete - I J»ve interested in the problem for the lart two mon^s, during whioh time I have oome in oontaot considerably with Iambie, with whose work you are familiar, and I have found ^roughhim that Mr. H. A. Baohman had developed a system of forms which 1 believe are superior to anything else whioh has been produoed.

The forms consist of a steel frame made of 6" ohannels, whioh is ereoted on oonorete foundations

Hr. Thomas A. Edison-

.#2 - April 9th, 1918.

previously prepared so that a two story and basement house oan be poured at one operation. Pieces of wood 12" wide;

2$" thick and “Ik proper length are plaoed in the steel formSj to hold the oonorete walls whioh are to be 6" thiol, rein¬ forced by rods. The form is exceedingly simple, and for

a house 20* wide; 26* Jong and 25’ high, the neoesBary steel weighs about 11 tons. The wood pieoes are oreasoted and are made 2f" thiol so that they will withstand brutal treat¬ ment. The walls and floors are all poured at one time, so that the floors become an integral part of the walls.

The form oan be made wider or longer in multiples of 2* - doors and windows plaoed at any desired ldoation in multiples of a foot - ohimneys and bay windows plaoed wherever desired and the toot made flat, or with a moderate pitch as desired, so that great variation oan be made in the design.

Three houses have already been built, using wood forms to test out the idea, and with my Inowledge of oonorete, I oan see no reason why the plan is not vary praotioal.

It is estimated that Bix men, one of whom will be a foreman, oan ereot the forms for the oonorete, and taken down the forms, at the rate of one house a week, and a oonorete mixer has been designed which delivers the mixed oonorete direct to the forms without any additional handling. It is very probable, however, that bb this character of building comas in contact with, Union la boy, it may be necessary to use one skilled Bteel worker and one oarpantor in eaoh gang.

I was in Washington, D. C., the latter part of hast week and through lir. Hutohison*s assistance we were • able to show the model of the forms to the Shipping Board and the Housing Committee; as well as to Secretary Daniels and the headB of e«S®$UthBr Department, and we : have *•- oeived asBuranoes thaVoonorete houses for workman will have the same consideration bb all other types of construction.

I have also had the matter up with the Canadian Government, and have an appointment the early of this week to Bhow the model to the head of the War Board Commission, who has charge of the rebuilding of Halifax, so that it looks now as if, in the very near future, we will be

Mr. Thomas A. Edison — - — #3-—- — .-April 9th, 1918*

able to got some houses tinderway*

Just as soon as some houses are huilt, I have arranged to have the Cement .Association give publicity to the matter, and in view of the urgent need of dwelling houseB all over the country, it seems to me the psychological time to push the matter 'fib at present*

I have a double interest in the matter - first; I want to Bee brougit to a successful conclusion the wotk which you did in this connection some years ago, and this form is the direot outoome of the ideas vfliioh you had at that time, and secondly; I want, if possible, to oreate a larger demand for Edison Cement. I will keep you posted from time to time as to what progress we are mating*

I sinoerely trust that you are being very much benefited by the more favorable. olimatic conditions in Florida, While thus far we have had an early spring, we have had quite a number of cold, damp days which are trying, March; , however, was an unusually favorable month*

With my very kindest remenibranoes, I am.

Yours vary truly.

\N.

WSM*BC -j>. s. r&o- ...

Mr. ThomftB A. Edison, -\s

Care of Commandant Officer,

United States Haval Station,

Key W0Bt, FLORIDA.

F. s. You will note from the following that the poets are getting busy in connection with the oonorete ship idea;

The following iB credited to the "Boston Traveler";

The boy stood on the concrete deck and grinned w£th while Waboats tried in vain to wreck that ooncrete ship and boy. A Prussian shell came screaming down an* 0^°°te breadj’

he registered a ooncrete frown and munched his oonorete bread.

Eiis«?¥tertSaipl©ifK«it <fr

Saar Ur. Edisoni

Enclosed ia a oopy of the minuteB of the last Cement Company Executive Oonmittee meeting. X do not wish to burden you with the reading of all these pages, but am sending it along bo that you may see how every man of the Committee is kept thoroughly posted as to what all are doing, thus putting eveiy man on his mettle. Che initials "CX» appearing through¬ out these minutes signify "Cement Exeoutive Meeting." For example, "8CX" at the start of a paragraph indicates that what follows transpired at the 8th meeting of the Committee.

MILL OPERATIONS! She first page will give you a gist of conditions with our Company generally at this time. Pago 2 showB that while the Plan "D" estimate of production has been fairly well lived up to for the first six months, in March we aotually produced only 24,000 barrels of Cement against an estimate of 120,000 barrels, due to the neoeseity of with¬ holding Cement operations until the 25th of the month.

Sotal stocks on hand in the Eastern Mills on April 1st are 44/o lower than a year ago, and as a matter of fact are lower than in many years. Shis, of oourse, has bean principally occasioned by the severe winter, also the fuel situation. We are watching everything very olosely, and hope not to lose a barrel of business because of low stock. As indi¬ cated on pages 3-7 inclusive, we are getting things Well lined up at the quarries and the mill, and I am going down there tonight in order to Bpend Friday and Saturday right on the ground.

SHIPMENTS: From the tabulation at the top of page 9 you will note that our shipments since the first of September are only 24,000 barrels behind Plan "D" Estimate, and this we should make up during the ourrent month. It is simply a matter of mill output, which I am going to thoroughly study in person during the next two days.

Comparison of total shipments of the Eastern mills for the first three months of this year with the same period a year ago, and the relation of EDISON shipsants to the total, are as follows i

January -March t January -March

1917 - 1918

(Bbls) (Bbls)

EDISON

178,000

24 Mills in Lehigh

Valley, N.Y. State, 4,312,000 1656 3,609,000

Maryland & Virginia

This shows that although the entire Eastern district shows - iA<g tha volume of our own shipments has been praotloally

;,K."! - «« »» *» «“»*» »•» «“

we will sell 1,500,000 barrels.

A peculiar condition has arisen In the shipping situation,

west are severely handicapped on aooount of car shortage, the Universal

15j< per barrel and more or less damage claims.

Thus far we have experienced no difficulty in pouring al! the cars neoessaiy for our needs, and X believe our b 1“ 8 Bl)l0Uid are going out more promptly than thoee af ^ other Company. t Bhoul^_

SS^^hio! besides strengthanin^our ^^-the^eaiers for the time whan conditions are baoh to normal.

rs: h*?ss2. n«-* - - =« »

K, !f 52 InU. By na.lng naah datar-.cnnt.nrgalnaalyalththanthan

I hone to see our Company in the unique position of being one of^hevery few ?Lt is able to rioter an increase for 1918 as compared with 1917.

coal-. Wo are watching the coal situation very keenly and . two men out in%ha field, one in the West Virginia district and one in the Pittsburgh district. I am told we

Company in the Lehigh Valley. Item No. 7 • steps I am

lllLZifX°lrZ10Z\ « not9 suffer from a curtailment of supply.

FiumoiAL; Since I have taken active hold onthefinanoes of the cement C^^Sept^er last «rey have been «****,,, ««££ TiTST W that the

Company finance itself entirely from the results of operations.

&n ituHoatecL on page 13. the average selling price for the Q1. . t -u Ai 52 Whioh, barring contingencies, should give us a

these figures daring the year.

djf

April IX, 1918.

Edison Portland Cement Company

8 West 40th Street

May fifteenth

Dear Mr. Meadoworoft:

Please- note the attaohed letter from Henry Ford and Son Ino., from which you will note that one of the two tractors which Mr. Ford had shipped to us il intended as a present to Mr. Edison, and I will Neatly appreciate it if you will ask Mr. Edison to aoknonaedgo the receipt of it "to Mr. Ford.

I suggest this because when 1 mat Mr. Ford in Washington recently, he said that he waB anxious to have Mr. Edison have one of the first tractors and believed it would do good work for him.

X am enclosing herewith a clipping from the "Easton Free Press", whioh was written by our farm super intefldent.

Up until Saturday last, the traitors had worked steadily since we received them about three weeks ago. The only think that has happened to date has been the breaking of one fan-belt.

Each tractor pulls two 14" plows and average between five and six acres per day.

Our farm superintendent estimates that the plowing will be more than cut in half, ns com¬ pared with our former costs.

Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft, Edison laboratory, Orange, NEW JERSEY.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Muy 1G.1010.

Mr. S. Mallory,

a best 40th atrcot, ilov.. York, II. i'.

Doar Hr. Mallory:

I have roeoivod your favor of the lhth instant, enclosing lottor from Henry Ford i: Son, Inc., and also clipping from the "Has ton i'roe Hrot.s", in ropard to tho farm tructor.

I have Ehov.ii- the above, to lir. nelson, and ho has written a note of thanlrs to Mr. Ford, iou will find copy of etiao herewith.

■ . lours vory tiyily.

Assistant to i!r. iidison.

Fnclosuro.

n/iil57.

p.a. I also of May Oth,

return ,tho letter of Henry ■ , addrossod to tho Comont Co

•d. J. Son, lac. Stowar tsvillo

(COPY)

II I PRATES CORPORATION New York

PLANTS: MUSCLE SHOaLS , ALABAMA

iA**

Subject: Training at Edison Cement Works Qjp''

Address reply to: 511 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 'JTl'T'’ ^

/r oP-

st^\' i

K. F. Cooper, Vice-President.

■ p '

n j 6^

Jiff C * >' n &' J’

This Corporation is engaged in building and will operate at Muscle Shoals, Ala., a plant for the manufacture of ammonium nitrate, as Agent of the Ordnance Department, Div. T.

In order that there may be no delay in starting opera¬ tions at this plant, we are now emptying and have in training a number of men who will become members of the operating force. One element of the plant process is the burning of lime in rotary kilns, using pulverized coal as a fuel. At the exist¬ ing plants to which this Corporation has access for training operatives lime is burned in vertical kilns so that the ex¬ perience which would be gained in the operation of these kilns would be of little assistance in training men for the operation of rotary kilns which they will be required to use at the new plant.

It is our understanding that at the plant of the Edison Cement Works, you utilize rotary kilns in the burning of cement and pulverized coal as a fuel. We wish to know whether you would permit us to send five or six men whom we have employed as foremen and operators in the Lime Department to your plant for training so that they may be as familiar as possible with the equipment and it asperating before they are sent to Muscle Shoals to start the new plant. We can send along with them one mem who thoroughly understands rotary kilns and their operation, and would like very much to have the other men get some practical experience in the actual operation of rotary kilns.

Assuring you that any assistemce you may render will be appreciated by us, and will be of material assistance in securing at an earlier date much needed munitions for our army and navy, I am';

Very truly,

signed K.F. Cooper,

Vice-President.

■ \

Edison Portland Cement Co. new „.*•

r 4-OlH STREET

N EW YORK

November 27 ) 1918

To my Business Associates and Friends:-; ;

I expect to be mustered oit of Unole Sam's service before long and it will seim mighty good to be baok on the old peace job agaii.

What does the first year of^eaoe have in store for us? I have been asked to vttempt to answer that question.

There are those who fear a business depression. The surest way to bring on a depres- . • sion of business is to nurture fears and aot.hesi-. , tatingly. We now have a national^inancia^jysjtem • whioh is capable of meeting practically any situs.--..- x tion that oan,ariseand we do not need tofear. ) , difficulties" from that quarter.- Our farmers have harvested an enormous orop, and the assurance of .good' prices, togetFerXwEttf" moreyplentiful labor,_ /^make certain a heavy planting next year, to only V- thing needed to insure a yearofgreat prosperity is a determination on the. part of 7 [ (man, big and little, to go' ahead with .absolute oon-

. ” —

. must see to it that employment isprovided forour war workers and returning soldiers. There will db opportunities for patriotic servioe in this °on^®° tion and I hope all of you will do your part and

ssvss «

worked and fought to win the war.

Every business man should speed up his sales organization- The salesmen of this

Edison Portland Cement Co.

S WEST -t-O™ STREET

N EW YORK

oountry oan do more than anyone elae to keep the wheels of industry turning at full speed. The salesman had to take a back seat during the war but his time has now come- Give him a ohanoe.

Edison General File Series

1918. Edison Pulverized Limestone Company [not selected] (E-18-33)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business of the Edison Pulverized Limestone Co., which marketed the byproducts of Edison's cement production and delivered part of its output to his chemical plants at Silver Lake, New Jersey. The two items for 1 91 8 are an annual meeting notice and a routine letter notifying Edison that he had been elected a director at the same meeting. Both were issued by acting secretary William E. Horne.

Edison General File Series 1918. Education (E-18-34)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents concerning

Technical School, and Richard C. Maclaurin, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

ADDroximately 20 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected items include requests for Edison’s advice or assistance, whic were routinely answered by his assistant William H. Mead bwcroft; Tequeste for donations; descriptions of education proposals sent to Edison, and items marked for no answer.

JAS. E. PERRIN

21 N. LIBERTY ST.

CUMBERLAND, MD.,

January 8th, 1918.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J.

Dear Sir:

I am writing this with tha hope that one of your eeoretariea will have time to answer.

My hoy (age 16) will graduate at high eohool in June. He wants to he an eleotrloal engineer, will you give me your advice as to the hast school where he will get the praotioal as well as the theoretical experience.

Thanking you in advanoe for the advice, I am,

Very truly yours.

January 14,1910..

Hr. Jas. E. Perrin, . - 21 II. liberty Street,

Cumberland, lid. . .

boar Sir:- ' -

Your favor of .the Oth instant afidrescod to Mr. Edison has boon rocoivod. . IIo its away from homo, and I do not know when ho will return.

In hie absence, I willroply to the same effect that, he would if he wore hero. • lie would advieo in tho first place, that if possible, the boy continuo hie studies and then take an Electrical Engineering course - at the Massachusetts Institute of lochnology, Boston,

Hass. If he cannot do this, tho next best thing would be for him to comply his High School education and then take the correspondence course on Electrical Engineering.

Sho best school we can suggest for this is the International Correspondence- Schools, Scranton, Ponna.

2o got tho pr.-etical as well as the thooroticul experience it would be necessary for him to get in as a boy, into one of tho big electrical manufacturing concerns, suoh as tho Gonorul Bloc trie Co., Schenectady, li.Y., or the V.estinghouso Electric & Mfg. Co., Pittsburg, Pa. I believe, they have two courses for studonts. One is tho apprentice courso for boyc, und tho othor is the regular course for graduates of Universities. A very small wago is paid in eithor case for soveral years. . I believe that both thoso Companies have como printed raattoj- on this sub¬ ject, which they would probably aond you on application.

Yours voiy truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

A/4427.

i

Before our entry into the war, X ventured to suggest to you that you bring some of the financial needs of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to the attention of Mr. Henry Ford. You were good enough to say that you would do this if a suitable opportunity presented itself, hut probably war condi¬ tions have banished the matter from your mind. I am calling your attention to it once more because of the need made more obvious by the lessons of the war of providing more adequately Tor the improvement of the health or our people. We must make a serious drive by scientific means to prevent disease and not merely to cure it. I have set the matter out at greater length in another letter to you that I enclose, my thought being that you might perhaps be good enough to send a copy of this longer letter to Mr. Ford, or any other of your friends that might bo interested in the matter. You

Sir. Edison - fl.

have always been generous in your expressions of good¬ will to tlin Institute, and Iiere is an opportunity or enabling it to render great service to the country.

April 5, 1018.

Yaurs sincerely,

jl c-/xXl >

i fv*. ... ■ ■<■ »■ n-f~b -Jf

jliuj

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, New Jersey.

April li.l'JlO

Dr. itichnrd C. Uneleurin, • .

Massac hus c t ts Institute o, _oeh.iolot:>! ,

Boston, Hass. ■»

Do nr . Dr. Hue luurin :

1 our estocnod .favor of tho Lth aslant to Hr- afiioon. enclosing another and longer 'ottor therewith, cane to hand-

ilr. ii- ison has boon away from homo for tovoral months, conducting a°ao ospori^onts for ,ur Government, ana I forwarded your lo ti-,. Ho has returner thorn to mo ashing me to jrito ma.lot you Taiov. tha t they were' receive, and. that 10 >«as sent your low ozplonooory let-m to or. i’ord tilth a noisonal memorandum.

I am forwarding tho last-named letter to - *r. pord’s See rotary today, ashing him to bring 1 bo Hr. Poi'd* c personal attention-

Yours very truly, 1

Assistant to Mr. iidison.

A/eoso.

April 16,1910."

Ur. 3. G. Liobold,

General Secretary to tar - iionry i’ord,

Detroit, Mich. .

My dear Ur. Liobold :

Herewith X hand you a lot ter from Dr. llichard 0. i-iaclaurin, the i’rosidont oi tho Uaucachu- aottB Instituto of leelmolopy, Bouton, Uace.

2ho letter is addrec&od to Ur. Hdieon, and ie solf-oxplariatory . Hr. 3d Icon hue written a little

pencil note t? Ur. Ho id on this letter, and I an sondinp it to you so that you can briar it to Ur. i’ol’d's personal attention.

With kind roparde, 1 remain,

Yours sinceroly.

Ascistant to Ur. liaison.

Hnclosuro.

H • J • Heinz Company

Pure Poow Products

Pi'j'TSBUitGir.PiV.U.S.AJlay 23, 19X8,

J

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, East Orange, U. J.

My dear Sir:-

A'

,1-

The Snyder Outdoor School for Boys - Clarence Elmer Snyder, Director, authorizes prospective patrons to refer to you for information with regard to the school.

I have a son in his fourteenth year, and am looking for a school which affords a combination of good educational advantages, proper moral surroundings and

healthful physical environment. I have learned of the Snyder School and shall appreciate and treat in confidence any statements that you feel free to make with regard to the school and those in charge of it. The fact that Mr. Snyder gives your name as reference suggests that you have had an opportunity to learn something of .the school, either through personal contace and observation, or through having had a son or relative in attendance at the school, and I shall appreciate very much any information that you feel in

position to give me.

Cordially yours.

I.lr. V,- II. Kobinson,.

c/o II. J. Heinz Co., __

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Doar Mr. fiobinson: •

Please oxcuso the few flays delay in replying to your favor of the 2d instant. Mr. .Edison was not available at the time it was receiver, but I huvo shown him your later communication, and he says that ho now roraembors I.Ir. Spydor's school at Captiva, unfl ho understands that it is considered to be a very good ono .

Yours very truly.

Assistant to I.Ir. Edison.

November 4, 1918.

Thomas Edison, Esq., East, Orange, ft. J •

Dear Ar. Edison: -

.rr...M _ jx plains

the organization of a new type“of an industrial institu¬ tion for industrial education. Will you kindly give me your candid opinion whether such an Institution will he a vital assistance to the industrial men, and whether it is not possible to enlarge its field for the interest of industry in general?

Thanking you for your kind attention end

IcuA

tcL^- i^-

J^AJU

ycc-k-

Jl~ 4*f

(/tcrf^

&&&

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€

Kv<|K

November 14,191(3.

' Dr. D. H. Hodgdon,

Newark Teohni on 1 School,

Newark, Now Jersey.

Dear Sir:- ’

Replying to your letter of November 4th,

-let me say that I am a believer in special schools that teaoh one thing thoroughly and practically, so that students may go direct into industrial works and do not need to be taught real praotioe, as if they have never been at school.

What is wanted just now is a special deh6oi* for maohine designing. Such a school should ’be able « to turn out men aapable of devising automatic machines to reduce oosts and keep wages high.

Yours very truly.

A/5932

X ^0 — E>

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Edison General File Series 1918. Electric Light (E-18-35)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's past work in the electrical industry, as well as inquiries and suggestions about electric lighting. Among the items for 1918 is an inquiry regarding the value of stock in the defunct Edison Electric Light Co. of Europe Ltd. Also included are comments by Edison about a vaudeville trick of lighting a lamp through a human body.

Approximately 1 5 percent of the documents, including all items bearing Edison marginalia, have been selected. Most of the unselected letters received a routine reply stating that Edison was no longer involved in the electric light business.

Columbian

STOVES AND RANGES

GAS : STOVES : AND : REFRIGERATORS

/? Hr

> 1 fL. ***

* &4J jUi 0-00 un&j $ ■Ajomj'S

Q/ro<AsLto As^j/Cfa* O eCtkari ^JUx&ZiocsCcc^^ ^

&Msi*duj<£sCvv^^ £vy cvtisLc/oJ QyUwC' fit <ru^ yvw 'h/uqus y&Y\) faOsVvyA^'', 0^hZfa/U2A-\J yku<%4s(j y\iA^Y~ hj&?LA~3^» <X^yUfXA^Cv^i^ (/^\ G^job ^T>(/4o<s3^<rc^<2^^ OTAn*u-cb<iJ<Zsv^^ (jZ cA' '-!%%' fr,

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<Xyvv1- f J <u^a^yv€y aowurf- .;

Deo ember 5,1918.

Mr. J. 0. Alaop,

112 Delaware Street, Syracuse , H.Y.

Dear Sir:-

Mr. Edison wishes ub to say in reply to your letter of December 2d, that the Edison Electric bight Co. of Europe. Ltd., was liquidated many years ago. The Courts in Europe did not sustain the Edison patents, and the Company never reoeived a cent of money.

Yours very truly,

Edison Laboratory.

A/6058

Deo ember 26,1918

Kr. L. E. Leech,

General Delivery,

Jacksonville, Fla.

Dear Sir:-

Heplving to your reoent letter, we beg to say that so' far as we know it is not possible to light an incandescent lamp through the human bodv as the current would kill the person. Tt is possible to light a lamp by induction in con June ui on with the proper apparatus, and that is what you prob¬ ably saw accomplished by the performer you mention.

Yours very truly.

jSdison Laboratory.

A. 6197.

Edison General File Series 1918. Employment (E-18-36)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to employees in Edison's laboratory and factories, as well as prospective employees and individuals who had been worked for Edison in the past. Among the items for 1918 are letters requesting Edison to write recommendations for employees, former employees, and others wishing to join the armed forces or seeking a civilian position with the U.S. government. Also included are documents pertaining to labor unrest at the Edison Storage Battery Co. (ESBCo) plant, which resulted in the resignation or termination of Vice President and General Manager Robert A. Bachman, and to the resignation of Carl H. Wilson, longtime vice president and general manager of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., for health reasons.

In addition, there are items relating to a sexual harassment complaint against employee William Sniffens, which resulted in his termination, and to Edison's refusal to hire female chemists. Among the several letters from former employees in the armed forces is one from chemist Edwin Smith, Jr., describing his service with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. There is also a reference to the disappearance and presumed death of Lt. Charles Wallace ("Happy") Drew, whose plane was shot down in France a few weeks before the end of the war. Other employees and former employees mentioned in the documents include the late William G. Bee, E. Rowland Dawson, William Deans, Absalom M. Kennedy, William H. Knierim, William J. Lockhart, Paul D. Payne, John J. Riley, George F. Scull, R. H. Simpson, B. H. Stahle, and Henry G. Wolfe. At the end of the folder is an undated set of instructions prepared by Edison for his son Charles regarding reductions in the battery production work force

Approximately 20 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected items consist primarily of requests for positions as singers, motion picture actors, experimenters, inventors, and chemists, along with requests for letters of reference for placement with a government agency or business. Almost all of these received a form-letter reply. Also not selected are job applications bearing routine Edison marginalia stating that there were no openings; routine internal administrative correspondence; inquiries about a false news story that Edison was hiring large numbers of returned soldiers; and personal correspondence by Edison's secretaries. In addition, there are numerous typed and handwritten lists of ESBCo workers with comments about their ages, addresses, and eligibility for the military draft.

Seoretary To BROOKLYN. N. Y - ieh...l4...18 . 191

Mr Thoa A Edison

Dear Sir

X write to ask you if I ( an old timer fifths old Edison days 83 to 89 when X worked for the Edison & Bergmann i!o in ..ooster and E 17 it ) would have an opportunity to get employment in your ex perimental department As you oan see by the heading of this letter that S have my own shop hut as ^ am all alone without muoh oapital I feel that I ought to get into a shop where I oan do something better with modern facilities

I was working all last summer on an air torpedo controlling devioe Gyro soopes Timer Servo Eto How the Inventor and his oliki has not treated me fair , in that there is considerable money due me for work and materials I would be willing to moke one in your shops with improvements

This devioe is a valuable war implement if plaoed in the hands of honorable and able men »The following is claimed for it

It is loaded with bombs ,Btarted off to a pre determined distanoe at a given angle , when it arrives at the point determined by the timer it releases the bomba takes a photograph of the damage done 7 and turn around and oome baek home p sounds good ehp well they tried it out at Sheepahoad Bay and it worked fairley well ,but of oourBe it needB high olass engineers to perfeot it. I have a photo of the timer whioh I designed and made for him whioh I oould Bhew you

very respectfully yours

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D. C.

Mr. R. A. Kellow,

Secy, to Thomas A. Bdison, R. Orange, IJ. J.

Sir:

has made appl i o at ion ' f or °the ^xaminat ion Stiver Jd! by the inolosed announcement in whioh he refers to you.

The object of this communication is to obtain reliable information in regard to the qualifications of the applicant named above. It is especially requested that you state the nature and extent^ of your_.aoquaintanoe with his work. Any information you can furnish with reference "to his personality, habits, and train¬ ing and experience, as outlined in the marked paragraphs of this, announcement , -will " be appreciated. You are also requested to state whether his loyalty to our Government i3 unquestioned. If you have knowledge'~oJ‘~any additional faots respecting him that would be valuable in determining his fitness or unfitness for the publio servioe, you are requested to state them fully.

The information you furnish is for the inspection and sorutiny of the Commission and of the department to whioh the applicant’s name may be certified, and it will be held in striot confidence.

You are urged to give this matter immediate attention for the reason that unless your reply is promptly received at this offioe it oan not be considered in oonneotion with his examination. In answering you are requested_to_ give the appli£ant^'s_name_and_.the. position for_ whioh _app_ljL o at i qnji'szmade:^_l ...

~ AnTaddressed envelopeT” requiring no postage, is inolosed.

By direction of the Commission:

Very respeotfully.

Inolosure.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

No. 1521.

Amended .

UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION.

ACCOUNTANT (MALE).

GRADE 1, $1,200 to $1,700 a year. GRADE 2, $1,800 to $2,700 a year.

This examination is held to aeoure eligibles for vacancies exist¬ ing in the Finanoe Division, Ordnance Department of the War Depart¬ ment, for employment on work in connection with the cost and account¬ ing on Government contracts.

Applicants for positions in Grade 1 must show that they have been employed for at least two years (1) as head bookkeeper in offices em¬ ploying more than two bookkeepers; or (2) as public aooountant; or (3) doing responsible accounting work in tne office of a certified public accountant; or (4) in similar responsible commercial positions in which the duties were the directing of accounting work.

Applicants for positions in Grade 2 must show that they have been employed for at least three years as general auditors, public ac¬ countants, senior accountants, head bookkeepers in offices employing five or more bookkeepers, or in similar responsible commercial posi¬ tions in which the duties were the directing of accounting or audit¬ ing work.

Applicants whose only experience is as bookkeeper or as statisti¬ cal clerk or as cashier or in municipal, county, or other noncommer¬ cial offioes, will not be admitted to this examination.

Graduation from a' reoognized commercial school or college from a course covering at least one year will be accepted in lieu of one of the required years of experience in either grade.

Special oredit will be given for responsible experience in cost accounting, especially factory cost accounting.

The reoeipt of applications for this examination dosed on Novem¬ ber 15, 1917.

was only in too way of business. Hov.uiror, thoro was newor any¬ thing in tir. Lockhart's bobuvior v.hlch came to ny notion that would load me to question in any dogroe his absolute loyalty to his country.

Very respectfully.

Secretary.

Ediphoned

HKK/24

ft

aaroh 22 , 1918,

Ur. U. L. Hartmann,

Bapid City,

Soum Dakota,

Dear Sir;

Your favor of the 6t'n instant to Mr. Edison was received, and fonts rded to him, as ho has boon away from homo for several months.

y;o have ,1uet received a reply from him statinc that he has no opening ,1ust now in which he could employ a Research Chemist, as he is away from nome, working for the Govornment.

lir. Edison roquests us to suggest that you apply to the Bureau of Mines at Washington, D. C. They uro short of Chomists for War experiments.

Yours very truly,

ED1S0H LABORATORY,

24

5-jfoc

SERVICE STATION

I MOTOR CARS)

e Baker R. & L Company

BUFFALO, N.Y. April 2, 1918.

CLEVELAND, OHIO

Thomas A. Edison, ' ’ y r^cJ^JL

Orange, H. J.

Dear Ur. Edison:

last year I. sold out r ■business interests here in Buffalo, and my wife and I have been up at Camp "Why Knot" Ar^ the Adi- rondaoks most of the time sinoy./^gpc -j

"■i am feeling Vo "well and strong" that I have decided to look about, and see if I can get something to do that will be to my lin¬ ing, and it oooured to me that you might, have a place where you could use me to your advantage. I do. not expect a salary as large as the Presidents* for I m too modest. A word from you relative to the ahove^r f , will be much appreciated. - ■ - $ ^

°^Ur. Henry Firestone was

good enough to put me on the Bpeoial list,, and sent /

me a copy of that wonderful book that was gotten out ^ 7

of your trip to the Woods in 1916, and there 1b noth-C - • /

ing I have that I prize higher. S /

My good wife JoinB me in /

very kindest regards and best wishes to yourself.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE

PRODUCTION DIVISION

SEVENTH AND B STREETS NW.

CDB:CL5! ^

Answer should be nddresscd to " .ARMjjSectlon, Producdon Division, Sevcnlh and B Sis. NW., Washing;

replying refer to April 11, 1918.

Mr. Thos. A. Edison,

i'/ost Orange, H. J. Sir:

X. Mr. Edward E. Winters, of 76 Kenilworth Place, RidEewood II. J., baa made application to the United States Civil Service Commission for an eamaati on, rata: r the classification of S^liflcationa

and^ahili ty\ 8 and it Haluahle

advise this Section whether, or n , "rm£j and small arms

SSSo£ti«f togeth!rPwith any other information that might he of interest.

By direction of the Acting Chief of Ordnance. Respectfully,

HAYDEN EAMES,

Major, Ordnance R. 0.

By: /

F. w. NidSol,

Lieut., Ord. Dept., N.A.

/

fO*5

April 1.0, 1018

Major Hayden Manus, 0. ii. C.‘, iinull j.rwc Section,

Production Division,

7th oiid i3 Sts . ii.v,.,

Washington, D. C .

Dour Sir:-' . . ,

Your lottor of- the 11th instant, file h'o .

US ESO.OE/BO, addrosscd to Mr. Edison has boon roceivod.

i-ir. Edison lius boon ax; ay from hoso for several months and has not jot returned. In his. absence, I can only cay that nr. Edvard E. ..inters was oho of the Engineers of .the Edison Uuchinc V.orhc, at Schonoc tody , iii’i., many years ago, and according to tho host of ny lecolloc lion and hnowlodgo, Mr. Edison regarded. him ns- • a competent Engineer at thatr tine . •

Yours respectfully.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

A/COIS.

April £7 , 101U

!ir- Harr;: 1. Keofor, .

143 II.. Fifth 2£root, -

iiunhury, .jin.

Dour bir:-

• I am afraid there is little cncouragonont to offer you at this tino .in regard to a position' in our Chorale al laboratory. lir. Edison has boon uv;ay from homo for many month; tvorking on Oovornnont oxpori- menta. He returned only yesterday, and may bo going uvray' arc In before- long-.

In his absence, thoro has not boon much doing in tho Chomicul laboratory and just not there does not ooem to*bo any prospect in this lino.

. . Yours vory truly, •

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A/bUOO.

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Corporal 35. J. Slater,

Battory 3, 319 F. A. (Heavy),

Camp .Gordon, Go.

Bear Sir:-

Your letter of tho let inotant v.ne roccivod this morning, and Before Boon the matter had boon Investi¬ gated and iir. Sniffons tvac discharged at onco. *V,e re¬ turn tho letter of Hies Jeneen herewith.

Yoiua vory truly,

iid iaon laboratory .

A/ B094. ' .

Bnelooure ..

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by Ur. Unison with his pen on signing Uio Xot'-or:

S. Riley has a peculiar gift for hireing men, he can spot a crook instantly.

EDIBOli

May f4,lrJ10 .

Office of iiuvnl Intolliroaco. •

Corcoran Courts,

Hew Dork ..vonuo ,

Washington, D. C. .

Jontlonon :

1 write in behalf of Ur. Jolm J.- alloy 'of 413 "oath btroo.t, .Brooklyn, 11. H. Ur. iiiloy was in my omploy for about thrco and ono-hi.lf yearn an tho iianagor of what v.o call our Demonstration Department . Ho hud entire charge of this Depart¬ ment during oil the. time ho nun in my employ, and had under him a force of Dor.ionstrutors varying from, cay. fO to 110 non.

V.hile in ray onnloy, Hr. Riley also did a little special v;ork for your, Hurouu, having boon etom In during tho month of novotibor, 1017, at Hew York City by Co:.na..dor iiddy, to whom -ho roportod.

Owing .to procont bucinoss conditions, it • has boor, doomod oxpcdicnt to disbond our Demonstra¬ tion Dona, tm.cn t as a whole. Hilo has cot .Ur. Uiloy at liberty tlnough no fault on hlu part. -Ho is desirous of gottinr into active duty for tho above- na’noc special work, and tolls mo ho has boon advlaod by Oonn’imdor Dddy.thi.it upon suitable roconnondotion • he night bo able to cacuro a Co' mission in tho Signal Corps and be detailed to' this spociul lino of work, at liov. York City." ‘

From! by poreonal oxporionco and knovslodgo of Jir. kilo; ,. I have no hesitation in sending this recommendation of him as a koon, activo and loyal workor. Ho is bright, intelligent and straightforward, and has u tenacity, of, nurgoco which would c.ion to mo valuable in the lino of duty ill which ho cocks- to bo engaged;

Respectfully yours,-

i./b 19 J.

tilay*' "Jfj. ^

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39 ii'oBt 30th Dtroot, lion York, II. Y.

Dour Dir:-

. Replying to your loiter of liny "233, r.o regret to cay that it will, not be possible to of for your daughter a position in our Chon- ieal .-aboratory , as Hr. Edison does not employ any female Chemists .

Yours vory truly,

Edison Laboratory .

a/BE2D.

tyfn/ll&jrff/r/teJii

Hon. Josophus Unniolo,

"ho Secretary of tho ilavy, bashing ton, U. C.

tty dour hr. Danlols:

ray friond Hov. knotrn einco ho eiaployod in my

rfhis will introduce to you Kd nund ii. Carhnrt, Jr., nliom 1 hr.vo wai: a boy, and whoso fatiior has boon industries for upwards of 15 years.

"hie young man holds tho position of assistant i.ocAor of Graco Church in ilow York City, but no a matter of conscience and patriotism is anxious to uorvo tho Uovornmont, arid douiros to servo in tho navy as Chaplain. lie '"ill show ■ ou a numbor of strong recommendations from prominent poreons .

I tako ploaeuro in recommending him to your consideration, and trust that you may so e your v.ay clour to giving him tho dosirod appointment.

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July 10, 1918,

Ur. Charles Edison:

Sear Chariest

In addition to the toolmakers and machinists who went out yesterday, the sorew maohlne operaters, milling machine and drill press operators on production worlc left yesterday and today the men running the nlokel plating oranes and the oell assemblers went out. The cell assemblers were averaging $4.30 to $5.00 a day. We have changed the construction of the rubber pin insulator to reduoe our breakage and also reduce the oost of assembly and we put the price back where it had been in former years, whioh would still enable them to make the above rate, but they refused to give us any oredit for any Improvement whioh we hake so I thought it best to try it out for a few days to see If tfcey would not tire and return.

The orane. runners demanded 42J- cents an hour. This Is entirely un¬ skilled labor and I see no reason why we oannot fill these positions with other men. We will have to atop somefchere. The cost of manufacturing is now so hi^i that I am becoming thoroughly dlsoouraged. It is Just as I told a gang of men this morning, the only difference between the fight in this oountrp and that in Europe is that we have not dug any trenoheB.

R. A. BACH1I&H.

0.0. Hr. T. A. Edlesn

flfq ^ ^ ^ K,

1 •

Thomas A. Edison, Esq., **

Orange,

Hew Jersey.

Dear Sir:

I venture to inquire if there is in your laboratory a position which a man of my experience and training could fill.

I enclose herewith my curriculum vitae.

X trust that you will find some way of accepting my services.

Very faithfully yours,

Hr. I^nace Paderewska, Representative of the Polish National Comm. Hotel Gotham,*!. Y. Hr. Coffin, President of the General .Electric Company, 120 Broadway, H.Y.fi.

Address: Br. T. Pecsalslci,

c/o Polish National Comm., Hotel Gotham,

Hew York City.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

curriculum vieae of eadeusz peozalski.

(Born In Poland in 1891) •

Doctor of Physios of Paris university. Former special investigator of tho Bureau of Standards and Hela Rosearoh Laboratory of the General Electric Company} member of the American Physical Sooioty, e.t.o.

1 have a special education and training in the boat, light and olooticity

llneB.

After preliminary education in Poland and France, I startod research worlc in the laboratory of Prof. Bonty in Sorbonne in 1912.

During ray connection with this laboratory until 1916, I assisted {1913—14) in the experiments of Prof. Leduo {Camptos Rondus do l'Acrdomio dps Ecionos t.158 p,

864) and myself havo made several experimental and thoorotioal rosoarohos, the dosoription of which was published by the French Academy of Sciences, Frchch Physical Society, Annales de Physique and la Revue Elootriquo.

In 1915-16 I was an Editor far physical bibliography in the "Bulletin de la Sooietft Internationale du Frcid" of Paris.

Coming to this country in August 1916, I wan connected for six months {until February 1917) with the Refrigeration Division of the Bureau of Standards.

From April until September 1917, I was a special investigator in the ITola Research Laboratory of the General Electric Campary, in Cleveland, Ohio. Shore I discovered a new phenomenon, the description Of which was published by the Physical Review,

During all of this period, I have bben teaching and le cturing in several private instirutions, and scientific and technical BocietioB, in French, Polish and English language*.

Subsequently I loft the laboratory position in order to pontributo to the organization of the Polish Army in France and I £sre been connected with the Headquarters of the Polish Military Coomission for technical advisory wurh. Far this purpose,

I h ad a spools! experimental field in Pennsylvania, and I havo mods some laboratory experiments in Columbia University.

Dr. ladousB.Poczalski,

c/o Polish national Committee, Hotel Gotham,

Hew York, 1!.Y.

Dear Sir:- ' ,

Your favor of the '26th ultimo has be on shown to .Mr. Edison ana ho wishes" us to inform you that at the prosont tino he has no opening available for a man of your capacity.

Yours very truly,

Edison Laboratory.

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

<£/v.e. sit *}-'! ■ 1 1 > a-/cc n,CJ J'.s.i? > i.r( ~)ili

J

August 13,1310

Mr. B. iitnhlc.

Drawer il,

"i enton, D, J.

Dear Bir:-

Your favor of tlio £9th ultimo to Hr.- Moadowcroft has -been roeoivod . 2ho latter

gentlemen has boon away on hie vacation and will not return before the first week in September.

"ho writer has spoken to Hr. Olson about tho subject you write abuut. and he advices no that ho has made several attempts to locate your belongings in tho Carbolic no id Division, but without avail, duo to several changes that have occurod in tho porconnol- since your leaving that place. Eovrovo. , ho will koop'tho subjoct boforo him - and should ho bo succ-oscful . in locating your drafting, matorial in tho future, ho will commun- icato with you inraod lately.

Yours vory truly, _

Edison laboratory.

WRIGHT-MARTIN AIRCRAFT CORPORATION

LONG ISLAND CITY, N. Y.

■tag. 15; 1918

Hr Thomas A Edison, Edison laboratories r Orange, H J

Bear Sir:

We. are considering Hr Eobert A Bachman for an im - port ant position in our organization which is engaged in manufacturing aeronautical motors for the Dili ted States Government .

We have been referred to you by Hr Bachman for an expression of your opinion as to his ability as a manufac¬ turing executive, also as to his General rfiawwt.o- so nail ty.

appreciated,

i-o ais aoiAity as a manufao- o his general character and per-

Any infoimation you can give us will be veiy much

Very truly yours* WEXGHMUETIE AIEDBAIT

President.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

COHPIDKHTIAI.;

Sept. 6,1918 .

Mr. Goorge H. Houston-, President,

Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation, long Island City, H.Y.

Dear Sir:-

iieplying to your letter of August 16th, let mo say that Kobort n. Bachman is a good mechanic and that at first he managed our battery works (employ¬ ing over 1000) very satisfactory.

After wo made him Vice-President, however, his ambition to bo in the big swim was apparent and he became interested, I bolievo, in other things outsido, which interfered with strcit attention to my business, and 1 folt it would be wise to make a change.

Aa a Superintendent of say 300 or 400 men in a machine Bhop, without any general responsibility in an oxecutivo way, I believe he would be satisfactory.

Hio gonoial character and personality are good.

Yours very tr'uly,

([] ©WS<(DILlIll]).WIlilIl]) (CaHI^IIiE ATHKT (ft CJOMffMaSTST

HEATING BY VAPOR AND DIRECT STEAM

™RIES ELECTRIC CAR HEATERS THERMOSTATIC CONTROL sikoe r to web

NewYobk. STEAM COUPLERS PNEUMATIC CAR DOOR OPERATORS CHICAGO,

COOK. CAR STARTING AND STOPPING SIGNALS ALBANY.'n.

C»»bo». SPECIAL RESISTANCES. "lohDON EN

laboratory of Thomas A. Edison

Orange

II. J.

Attention Mr W. E. Meaaowcroffc

Bear Sir:

Eaferring to your letter of August 27th in regard to Mr H. H. Simpson wish to state that Hr Simpson advises that he v;as chief draftsman in the laboratory from Hay 1915 to October 1916. He is a stout man with bald head.

Trusting that with this information you can advise us Hr Simpson’s record, for which we will be very grateful, we are,

Tours very truly COHS Olio AT ED CAH HEAT KG COMSAUY

EEV.GHS

GJUU^* yi.u,

buffi

'""V'Wv- 'VVL-t.

JLl

OFFICE

THOUAS A. EDISON, INC.,

EDISON PHONOGRAPH WORKS.

FUNCTION ) liomo. No. 641

SUBJECT i Wra- Hayes. Date 9/4/18.

Ur. H. W. Kellow:

1860-411-8-18

( Bifinad )

i'.ioadov.<

'Jopto-bor 17, 1918

Mr. a. a. Joneu:

- Plaaao find bolo dotaft of dopartrwnts of tho Ullaor. Ctorngo Baitsiy company showing tho aumbor of aalo oaployoos who oro affootod by tho solootlwe aorvlco draft ond who oro oltiiln tho ugas of 18 to 4b Inolualvo. This for your Information.

DSEiiH'S.TEHI

Shipping (52

Screw 50

Box & Pillar !5

Porf. & uruish X7

Plata Separating 19

Inopootlon 49

Plating , 37

Tabu Assambl ( bay ) 44

Tubo Aasom'oly (Sight) ' 25

Construction gg

Chaalool Lab. 1 1B

Punoh Prosa a

Tubo inapaotlon 5

Raglnoorlng 3

Bolling Mill 25

Tubo Load X50

Tool Room 50

Stock follov/ up) X2

Stook 7

Repair 2 Z

Assembly 50

’!lno Lamp 2

Carpenter chop 23

Traok Sorvioo 23

H o Pitting 11

Ufflco Fojwo 40

Tasting 39'

Iron Load 201

■ Rookot ? routs 4

Anna allng H

Plako Plating 42

Elootrlcal 12

1128

J.T.H00ER3

CC Mooors.Cbao, Edison O.B.Olnrk Monahan

WRIGHT-MARTIN AIRCRAFT CORPORATION long island city, n. V.

I

tlr, Thomas A. Edison, ELewlyn Park,

VJest Orange, H. J.

Sept. 21, 1918.

qy"

,L«-J

> 1

M

ii''" . y )i'ij

iy dear Mr. Edison:

I have constant Edison callers at sy house most

,wy sight «JM ' X 5 5S5 yiXalljr

S£S £ £S«3£ SS-~ SIS* ■

STS; LSSfoSSsrSSSSi-SSLShS.

on the EdiBOn payroll.

assure you thlt f^Ill^nevefforget^you/kindness and

LSi r^raldKploy I

KfiteBt 42 it up either with you or Mr. Charles.

I understand there have been several of your men n.+ the Wrieht-Martin, hut not under my jurisdiction.

v. 4„e,+ as fair to vou no w aB I have always been, ana l also wish that you would confirm, this to Mr. Charles. 1 have no axe to grind and can see no reason for these un fortunate rumors.

With kindest personal regards , 1 am, Yours very sincerely,

(OoiOl

Mr. Robert A. Bachman,

c/o V. right -Marlin aircraft Corporation,

Long Island City, li.'i.

Deur Bachman;

I have received your letter of Saturday last, ilo rumor has reached mo that you would gradually employ a lot of tho men who had been with me for a number of years. If such a thing had been reported to me, I would 'nt believe it, becauso I know you would not do any such thing.

uishing you ull success in your new work,

1 remain.

lours sincerely,

and also lours fox the 1’ourth Liberty Loan,

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE PROCUREMENT DIVISION

17 WASHINGTON SHG/hl

Sept. 25, 19X8.

1 Thomas A. Edison, Orange, Hew Jersey.

b.*BSSS.‘Kl

legal department for a number of years.

2 This office will be pleased to receive a letter of recommendation from you, if ywr knowledge of the applicant will permit of your recommending him for the position mentioned.

Re spect fully ,

procurement division, patents branch.

etc* _

A. M. Holcombe,

;.!aj or , Ordnanc e, U.S.A.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Major A.H.Holcombe,

Procurement Division, Ordnance,

War Department,

Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir;

Mr. George F. Scull was in 1900 and for several years thereafter a member of my Legal Department, and as such counsel had charge of many important matters. He has also prepared and prosecuted applications for patent for the companies in which I am Interested. These patents covered a great variety of inventions.

I consider that Hr. Scull is very well equipped by reason of his training and experience for work of this char¬ acter and take pleasure in recommending him for the position of patent solicitor in your department.

I can also cheerfully testify to Mr. Scull's char- • aoter and the esteem in which he is held by those who have been closely associated with hirn.

Yours for the fourth Liberty Loan,

October 5th, 1918.

Ur. Thomus A. Edison.

Orange, N. J.

Attention of

Dear Sir: Mr. Wm. H- Ueadowcroft.

I have just received an application blank to be filled out applying for a commission in the Ordnance Department of the United States Army and I am wondering whether you could see your way clear to furnish me with one of the three letters of recommendation which is required with the application.

If you could see your way clear to grant me this favor, kindly address the letter to

Chief of ordnance, U. 3. A.

Y/af Department

Washington, D. C.

Att. of Capt. B. E. Estes.

and forward to me at 62 Midland Avonue, Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

Shanking you in advance for any assistance you oan offer

me in this matter, I remain

Yours very truly.

W"

4 Cc

.. &

it^ ^

fir. **.. f|/'

WGW:K

October 25,1918.

$0 WHOM IT KAY CON CKRIT;

Tienjamin Sorin of 48 KcCheaney Street, Orange, Ilew Jersey, has been employed by us for two years, part of which time hie occnnation has been as an Assistant in Vr. Kdison's Chemical laboratory. He is desirous o f entering into servic-e as a Laboratory Assistant in the Chemical Section of United States Army Service. / v/hile he is not a graduate Chemist, we can recommend him as a young man of good character, and as being1 intelligent, industrious and trustworthy.

Assistant to «.'r , Kdison.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Dear Sir:

Oct. 28, 1918

I called at Pratt Institute and explained to Professor Allen just the sort of students required.

Prof. Allen said they have had a greater demand for their students this year than the Institute could furnish, tut he said that he would like to place a couple of his young men with Mr. Edison, and he would take the matter up with Prof. Rogers and they would go over their list of young men who they thought would te desiratle and could recommend.

Prof. Allen said a numfcer of their students took positions last June, tut have continued their studies evenings at the Institute, and some of them might want to make a change.

He said that he would take the question up with the young men that he thought you would require and would write to you In regard to them.

prof. Allen said that the young men who have taken positions during the last year have teen getting from §15.00 to $20.00 a week to start with on account of the demand for young men.

McCOY.

spy

ERtNQ REFE^O NO$*/-

OF THE INTERH

REAU OF MINES

V^/ 'A A FY V

^ \^y o\ y' My dear l>‘r. Edison:

v v<^\

NTERIQR V.V7 \

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HJ _ of Mines regrets to lose the services

of Mr.~W. E. Gibbs. We are glad, however, that his con¬ nection with you will place him where he can keep in touch with the manufacture and improvement of the mine rescue apparatus which he originated and developed when in the employ of the Bureau.

During the past year he has been at work on an oxygen apparatus for aviators. I hope that it will be possible for you to allow Mr. Gibbs to complete this work, and 1 write particularly to assure you that any cooperation the Bureau of Mines can give toward the per¬ fecting of the mine rescue or the aviation oxygen appar¬ atus will be gladly supplied.

In particular, I would mention Dr. Yandell Hender¬ son of Yale University, Consulting Physiologist of the j of Mine3, who has worked with Mr. Gibbs on both 3 above mentioned apparatus, particularly as regards the adjustment to the human wearer. Dr. Henderson and I would be glad if you will direct Mr. Gibbs to avail him¬ self of Dr. Henderson's advice in his particular field in the future as in the past.

Bureau c

Sincerely yours,

L

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Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft .

Edison Laboratory i . X

Orange', N. J. — ^ ,, ^

Dear Mr. Meadoworoft:

A man I met in the Navy Department in oonneotion with the carrying out of certain problems for Navy Ofdnanoe, Byron W. Grimes, has written me asking that I forward a list of his qualifications to someone in touch with the Edison Companies, with a view of securing some ohemical position after the

filial itntoryo^Bwithdthe additional^ ormatiob that /regard Grimes highly, and I believe you could also get a similar expression from Admiral Earle, under whose dirootion ho has been working. If 7° have any suggestioh, I shall appreciate very muoh anything you oan do for him.

While the war is ended and we have stopped working for the War Department entirely, there are still I number of problems that the Navy wants settled up, mm/I/miMpHIv wfl are to remain at Jonas Point for some time yeU While the rocommendatioh went through for my oo-ision in the Navy, the rate. at "hi oh they move down there was not speedy enough *n oomP*r?;®°" f with the signing of the armistioe, so I ^o not hope for anvthine to materialize in that respeot. Two weoKs ago I hid tho misfortune to slip and fraoturo my ankle, and I have been pretty muoh laid up not doing anything, with theVexoe;?iSn o/writing letters, .to, during that time. Just as soon as I am able I am going to go over to the laboratory and see Mr. Edison and you and the / rest of my friends. In the meantime, I remain /

Sinoeroly yours.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Byron Y/inthrop Crimos.

Prosont Address: 1912 n St., H. W., Washington, 3.0.

Ago, 26 1/2 years; lloight, B ft. 0 in.: VIoight, 135 lbs. <v Honlth, oxcollont;. Single.

Kduoation.

A. B., with distinction in Choniotry, Harvard University,

1912 (as of 1913). Y/orkod oxponsos. Sovoral ocholarahipa,

Phi Beta Kappa. Courao included practically all chomiutry oourooa offered, nl30 mathomatios, phyaic3, mid general subjects.

Ono year Graduato Hosoaroh, Instructor in Choniotry.

I.C.C. Correspondence courso, Mochanical Bnginooring, not corapletodyct . . \

Alexander Hamilton InBtituto Bucinoos Courso, not completed N yot .

Tochnloal (Y/orks) Uxporionoo . ' V

Throe years with Who Solvny Procoa3 and Senot-Solvay Con-' \ panion, of Syracuao, How- York. (Manufacturer a of soda, \

caustic 3oda and alliod products; oporatorn of coko-ovons, '

hy-product plants, oxplosivos, oto.) 1

Analysis (plant control), apocial analysis, organic rosoaroh, in ohargo of nitric acid plant, inventory and efficiency ro- cordo of plnnto, various plant probloas, iritormodiato st'fego dovolopment of research rosults to practical plant production.

Technical (Administrative) Bxporlonoo .

Kxporinontal Sootion, Bureau of Ordnance, Ilavy Do part me nt, ono your.

Hosoaroh devolopnont of Ordnanco problems by experimental agoncioo, approval of specifications and drawings, placing of contracts, following up of production, development of manu¬ facturing facilities with commercial men, oorrospondonoo, in- torviows, manufacture and loading of high explosives, executive and administrative work of Sootion, offico rocorda and roports, inspection of plants, otc.

General Activities and Intoroots.

Poaoo-time and active sorvico with How York National Guard, throe years.

Boy Scout Leador.

Church Organ and Choir Y/ork.

Technical Literature, ICC and Aloxnndor Hamilton courses noted above.

Commissioned Knsign, Naval liosorvo, Novombor 1917, and Liouton- ant (jg), March 1910. Duties as above. Rocommondod for further promotion.

December 4,1918.

Ur. Bruce R. Silver,

o/o Richmond Levering, Ino. ,

120 Broadway,

Rev? York, H.Y.

Dear Mr. Silver:

I reoelved your letter of Hovember 30th and showed it to Mr. Edison. He read it and _ also the memorandum of qualifications of ^.Grimes with a good deal of interest, and wishes me to say that while he has no opening ju3t now 1 B“1V8 glad to see Mr. Grimes if he happens to bo in the vioinity of Hew York at any time. tfhon you write Mr. Grimes to that effect, please suggest to him that if he should think of coming out, it might be well for him to telephone over to me first to see if ‘Mr. Edison is here.

I am very sorry to learn that you hod the misfortune -to fracture your ankle and trust that you are recovering rapidly and that it will nb* leave you in any way partially lame.

I guess it will go without saying that wa shall be all glad to see you whenever you have an opportunity to oome' over to the Laboratory. In the meantime, I remain, with mind regards.

Yours sinoarely.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

A/6052.

FRANK R. KEITH & CO.

UNLISTED SECURITIES 24 MILK STREET Boston. Massachusetts

Decetbor 4th, 11/18.

'-&arrc^Ar^_

u>Uu

Thomas A. Edison Esq . ,

Orange, N.J. . T N\

Pi.

Dear Mr. Edison:

Before writing you v:hat I had in mind, it would perhaps be well for me to introduce myself, and I herewith take pleasure in affirming that. I am the son of Fred Gatlin, deceased, v/hom I believe, you knew quite well.

-r

A particular friend of mine here in Bos¬ ton is very much interested in Mr. William G.Ree, who died about a year and a half ago, and who, I understand, was at the head of your Storage Battery Plant.

Now, if possible for you to do so, I v/ould like to have you give me in confidence, an approximate estimate of Mr. Bee's estate. I should like to ascertain if he held any stock in any of your companies, and to what extent. Did he own any real estate, how much, and where located.

This information is sought by the real widow of Mr. Bee, who does not wish to disturb anyone who was in any way connected with him while he lived in urange with another woman, whom he called his wife, and I ask most urgently, that you keep in strict con¬ fidence, what has boon disclosed to you in this letter.

Awaiting your reply, and with my very best wishes and regards, I am

GC/C

December 6,1918.

Kr. John YJ. Lleb, Vioe-Drosidsnt,

Hew York xaieon Company, Hew York, H.T.

Uy dear Lieb:

In the early part of last year you were kind enough to let mo have several of your young men to help me in my experimental wort for Unolo Sam. They have all been returned to you exoept Henry G. »olfe and William K. Interim.

Aa my work for the Covennaont ia now drawing to a close, I am going to return these two young men to you. Hr. Knieria has been seriously ill for the last two or three weeks and is not yet ready to return to business. When ha is feeling bottor I may possibly want to keep him for a short time, but i!r. tfolfo will return to your servioe in a few days.

I feel oonslderable regret in closing my association with theBO two young men. They have been vary olosely associated with mo in my work, end like some of my hoys in tho old eleotria light days I have a feeling of attachment for them. Both of then are bright intelligent follows and have worked with enthusiasm and acquitted theoaelvoa well.

I don't quite know how I can fully express my sense of. obligation to you and the Company for your courtesy in loaning your men to me for this Government work. All I can do is to thank you and to express my appreciation of the pationt and patriotlo servioe which you havo rendered to the Government in this connection.

With kind regards, I remain,

Tours sincerely.

A/6066.

Leo ember 8,1918.

Ur. Geo. ®. B. Catlin, o/o Prank" R. Keith & Co. . 24 Uilk Street,

Boston, Mass.

Dear Sir:- COHFIBEHTIAL:

Your letter of the 4th instant was received and shown to Ur. Edison. He wishes us to say that Ur. Bee wrb the Selling Agent of the Edison Storage Battery, and Ur. Edison does not Believe that he left any money or property whatsoever as he continued to pay Ur. Bee's salary during his sickness which lasted over a year. Mr. Bee owned no stock in the Edison Storage Battery Company.

Yours very truly.

Edison Laboratory.

A/6070

t&i—y

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UrtUo ue^tsu^^-e^^ ^ i '

^ ^ / ^ st^ks* ,

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tA^e^e^

qJ ^ Abuses

££*. '^A

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2& *£*^ex jj$ru~fiCL _

December 17,1918.

Ur. A. Howland Dawson, o/o Lee ?. Haumor,

19th and G Streets, Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Dawson:

T road ,ycur letter of the 10th instant, with a -Treat deal of interest and thank you for takinsr the trouble to .write to mo.

I thought that the best way to convey your senti¬ ments to Mr. Edison Was to show him tho letter.

He also was very much interested in reading it and wants me to congratulate you cn your success and to toll yon that Community Sinvins;- is spreading all over the' United States. Ko thinks that you ousrht to <ret into it, as in addition to the honor it brin ts it pays very v/oll.

It i3 scarcely necessary for me to say that T add my contra tulat ions on the success you havo made, and also my- very host wishes for your future alone: these lines and also for your health and prosperity.

Your 3 very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

Orange, N.J.

December 19, 1918,

Hr. Thomas A. Edison, Orange, H. J.

Dear Ur. Edison!

It ie with einoere regret that I hereby tender my resignation as an official of suoh of your various oompanies as I am oonneoted with, to take effeot January let.

Hy health is the only oause for talcing this step, but beoause of it and in justioe to myself and family as well as in fair¬ ness to you and your interests, I feel it ie the only course to pur-

Uy connection with your interests started at Scheneotady in 1887, and for the past twenty-one years I have been with you at Orange.

During all Of this time my association and connection with you has been most pleasant and enjoyable, and 1 am confident that a large part of my advancement and success has been due to your kind consideration and skillful guidanoe. I therefore take this opportunity of saying that 1 am fully appreciative and deeply indebted to you for the consideration shown and confidence placed in me.

As soon as my health permits, 1 shall again be compelled to get into active work of some kind, and it may be that in some of your various interests you will have a plaoe in which 1 would fit - I hope so at least.

Host sincerely yours.

^slumr Jm*k

Dear Sir.

As the youngest son of your old friend and associate the late George. E. Gouraud I am taking the liberty of writing you.

I have since the commencement of the War been doing welfare work at the Government Shell Loading Plant at Moragn N.J. and it occurred to me that there might possibly be some opening for a position in a similar capacity in one of your own peace times industrial organizations.

My work at Morgan included not only the recreation activities for the up keep of the morale of the workers but also the editing of a bi monthly magazine published for the employees.

I trust ,sir, I am not imposing too much on the memory of the days long gone by, when my Father had the honour to be connected with you ,in writing these lines.

With kind regards.

Yours respectfully.

£

Deo ember 30,1918.

Mr. Carl H. Wilson,

Orange, A. J.

My dear Wilson:

After 30 _ many yearB of close business association, I am Borry to think that the old ties muat be broken, even temporarily, especially as the reason is your 'poor statt of health. I have noticed for some time past that you were not looking as vigorous as usual but did not realize the condition was 30 serious.

Of course, I must accept your resignation, but it is with much regret for the cause which has prompted you to offer it, and sincerely trust that change and re3t will restore you 'to your accustomed health and vigor. My best wishes will go with you.

'When you are well again come in and see me, as there will probably be an opportunity for you to join our family, once more' and resume the pleasant association of so many years.

Tours sincerely, '

Biviaioau

flUSJKOTl

SO Aili DIVIdlOH AK3 lUBAlalS I

On .Jawoiy am there io to Vo a little gathering in the library, at 5ilB o’olook, to wish Godspeed to Hr. 0. H. Wilson.

per earns tics Ur. Wilson has not boon veil, and be now feolo that u temporary relief from the many roaponaibil- lties orel business oares he has had ooneUntjLy on bis mind is imperative if be is to be of any future value to himself, his family, and the Company, is amah a* we regret to have him leave ns for oven six or eight months, it s«®» the most prudent thing to do.

During Ills absence the writer will handle the work Mr. Wilson ia now Harrying on, and all outturn Cerwsrly referred to him should he referred to mo uftor January End.

I shall tiy to epenu a little time oaoh day ill Ur. Wilson’s office, but will alee retain my do ok in the Library and in tho Storage flattery coopery.

I hope aa many of you bo possible will oome to the authoring in order that the send-off may bo ona worthy of « loader and a friend.

&Ll ax Via lose uhd uamaMaae. «eao. ao. 200

aa. 0. h. mao»’a SiSKSwnr wiamjium.

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SU> ul^'-r - 7

Edison General File Series 1918. Equipment and Supplies (E-18-37)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the purchase and use of tools and raw materials in Edison's laboratory and factories. Included are items pertaining to motors, tools, camping gear, and rotary crushers. Also included are letters regarding chemical compounds such as Tripoli (amorphous silicon dioxide), Kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth), and "refined Trinidad Manjak" (a bituminous material). The correspondents include Ralph L. Fuller & Co., Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Sturtevant Mill Co. and Trinidad-Tarouba Oil Development Co.

Approximately 20 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected material includes routine correspondence about catalog requests, orders, and shipping, which were handled by the laboratory staff.

EST "gFc*-* ^ iU V*3

TRINIDAD-TAROUBA OIL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

If aU^JU 6^ (*>“«• iw

(* ^"T* p««* ^ u>^^q»

Mr. Win. H. wendowcjrof t , \

C/o Edison Storage Battery

Orange, II. J. A j

Dear Mr. Keadowcroft : -

<2 <*Ar\ lf-0<S. «<£ A-£a<a ihjf'

YORK . ]~5*ch-23, -1918— -

Jr

Cc^ J &*•

~r^*\

z.

I an submitting to you a sample of a special form of refined Trinidad lianjak which I think likely to interest Hr. Edison. You will remember that some months ngo you brought we in touch with him on the subject of our crude product. He objected at the time to the presence of particles of clay, siilica, <$:c. in our hydro-carbon, but I have overcome that trouble, and you will find this product to be clean throughout and especially adapted for use in moulded insulation, storage batteries, and electrical work in general.

This pulverized material will flow liquid when melted.

It is insoluble in alcohol and ammonia, and proof against brine, alkalies and acids of all concentrations.

The melting point is high (over 375° F<), and the dielec¬ tric strength is unusually great.

Will you have the kindness to lay this sample before Mr.

April r.y , ion .

i'.r. 3 . D. ',iOQclv.;irtl ,

1 host L4th iitroot, iiav. York, il.Y.

Bear hr. i.oodv.nrd :

_-.o f o: l inf to our correspondence in rorr.Vtl io Yrtnidud .".unjak, lot no r.n; that hr. tidiuon has returned rron his trip tod line -requested no. to write and nek you to quote v. price per ton, o’. 0.8.

!iev; York Cit.v, of the c: udo k; njak unci also of tho

■cample on ..lurch nSd .

j.b . ndlcon eajo that vhothor or not' ho cun use it v. ill depend ,u>'On tho price . he also v.ishos no to nek- whether both tho ci'udo and rofinod product etui bo su pliod r ocularly and in quantity if ho should find that it works eatiefuotorily .and that the prico is within reasonable bounds.'

Yours vcr,v truly, ■

Asst, to I.!r. Adioon.

SAN FERNANDO TRINIDAD

BRITISH WEST INDIES

DDRE68 CORRESPONDENCE TC

D. WOODWARD

1 West 54th Street

TRINIDAD-TAROUBA Oll^ DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

NEW YORK —

a BRILLIANT BLACK TRINIDAD PAINT, prepared ready for immediate use as per enclosed descriptive card.

Hey 7,101

Hr- B. I). Vioocltraro. ,

1 west S4th Stroot,

Hon Yorh, ii.Y.

Boar iir. Woodward-:

I ohon.ea Hr. JJdison your' favor of tho 3d instant, in vdiieh you qnotOi’ prices on refined Erinii.a iianjok.

Bo ro/prots ho will bo unable to do businoea with you on ..this product. Ho says that the- price you nano is entirely beyond anythinr- .hat ho co:ila pay, as he can ^accompli eh hie object v^ith binders tJmt are sovoi al tiros choapor.

Yours vory tiul, ,

Assistant to. hr. Kdi.oon.

A/a oo.

June 3,19X8.

i'r. Bachman:

Hr. Batson Guys why not shop around in Hew York, Philadelphia and Boston and pick up out of the stocks you can find, all the steel you can use for lugs and other purposes. Ho thinks it is desir¬ able to do this right away.

Vi .H .IffiADOVi'CEO]?? .

MP-w^mms]E,TCLa.A.o

June 8, 1918

Thomas A. Edison Orange, Hew Jersey-

Dear Sir:

§100 Het x' 110 "

60 " ^

All Prices F.O.B. Milwaukee.

'■Ve will he glad to supply you with the motor and transmission as requested in your letter of June 3 at the following prices:

^•1918 16 h.p. magneto equipped motor

1918 16 h.p. generator " "

— Three speed assembly

The magneto motor is perhaps the one that you want , as the generator equipped motor is intended for use in connection with a storage battery. \7e can make immediate delivery on the above items.

Mw jt

Yours very truly,

HARIEY- DAVIDS OH MOTOR 00. Parts & Accessories Sales

Juno 11,1018.

Harloy-DavidGon Motor Co.,

Milwaukee, bis.

Gentlemen : Attention Mr. H. A. Be vino :

Ur. Ad Ison requests no to tender to you hie appreciation of the courtesy oxtendod by your favor of the 8th inBtant, (Kef crone e 5B), and to pa;, that ho is much pleasod that you hare consented to supply the motor and transmission in accoi-dance with his previous letter.

I am sending you, herewith, our rogular Purchase Ordor for one 1918 10 h.p. magnoto equipped motor, and for one "hroe speed assembly, u:. per your quotation. Ur. Sdison will bo vory glad to hive you malco shinnont at onco, adflrossinr tho’sune, Shoo. A. Adioon, Orango, II. J», Attention Ur. Head oy. croft.

bill you kindly nail to me at your oarly convonionco, blue prints of this equipment, so that v.o con go on and prepare for installing the same.

Yours very truly.

a/ocoo.

Assistant to Ur. iidison.

fv-vCiri i

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

'i- (l\l%

V- . /5s- ^

$ W. '/e-i /rr

l<4f. /$c«K,

M). Cc^( 0<2M_ DJ^

%{ Ac, jA\ .

RALPH L FULLER & CO

INC r'

NEW YORK CLEVELAND CHICAGO PHILADELPHIA BOSTON

NEW YORK

2 RECTOR STREET

July 10th, 1918.

Edison Company,

Orange, N.J.

Dear Sirs:-

At tent Ion Mr. Meadoworoft Confirming telephone conversation of yesterday, we take pleasure in quoting you KIESELGUHR in less than oar load lota or lots of one ton,

100 mesh at $?5.00 per ton 150 " " 56.00 " “

200 W « 55.00 « »

f.o.h. Boston, Mass.

This material comes paoked in hags of 100 lhs. for whioh there is a ohaxge of 2l£ each extra, freight prepaid to the mines at Wymer, Washington.

Hoping to he favored with your order, we remain, Yours very truly,

RALPH L. FULLER & CO. INC.

CFK/CU

RALPH L FULLER

CHEMICALS

&CO

INC

NEW YORK

2 RECTOR STREET

July 22nd, 1916.

Edison Company,

Orange, N. J.

Attention of Mr. Meadowcroft,

Dear Sirs:-

On July 10th, we had the pleasure of of quoting you in ton lots on KIESELGUHR.

We wish now to inquire if you found our price in order and when may be be in receipt of your order?

Thanking you in advance for a prompt reply, we remain.

Very truly yours,

RALPH L. FULLER & CO., INC.,

Rubber Materials Div.

CFK/HG.

.Ralph B. Puller & Co., Inc., '

2 Rector Stroet,

How York, II. Y. 7

. Gcntlomon : Alton: Ur. Chas. P.- Kelly

. Reply inf- to your favor of the 27 th instant, lot no cay that I'x. hdicon hub not quite decided- whether or not ho -. an use Jlieselguhr for the purpose ho had in nind. He is conducting' some experiments arid will 'be able to doc-ido tho ■ matter later.

Yours very_ truly, .

Assistant to i,!r .. PdiEoh.

A/h509.

Secretarial Service Department THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL

Function i SUBJECT i

Laboratory. G. E. lb tors

be returned.

Memorandum No.

cm

Aug. 12, 1910.

Ur. J. E. Preston,

Office Manager, Laboratory:

The Purchasing Department advise me that three General Electric Motors were ordered order 5005 which ore to be returned at a later

date. A bill for rental of those has been received and the Purchasing Service Department desires to tew whether or not they have been returned.

I find that they are still iooated on the "Soohem."

lty object in writing yon this memorandum is to suggest that you arrange a follow-up on these motors to tabs the matter up from time to time with Ur. Knierlm, Ur. Wolf or posBibly Fred Ott (I do not know Just who can advise you but someono in connection with Ur. Edison's Government Work should be able to do so) to see if the motors havo served their purpose and may be

1538-3-5C-618

Will you please tell me where this is_ being. stored and if equipment of this value is included in what you have to put in storage? I would like to attach, a memorandum to my files showing where this equipment is located.

Sept. 19, 1910.

Sir. J. E. Preston,

Laboratory Office Hanasor:

Attached is duplicate bill from Amorioan Oil & Supply Company, amount 05., cover ins tea pounds of Pondered Tripoli whioh Ur. Ueadoworoft ordered for a diso record experiment, covored by a Laboratory shop order. , The. original of this bill seems to have gone astray. Requisi¬ tion should be made immediately and bill attaohed,and followed up for im¬ mediate payment.

Yours for the 4th Liberty Loan,

R. W. Kellow, '

HlVKjFB

Secretary.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

American Oil & Supply Co.

Oils, Greases, Acids, Cliemicals

52-54-56 Lafayette Street

Kewark,XJ.

Thomas A. Edison Laboratory,

Orange, K. J.

Gentlemen:

In compliance with your request of the 12th, duplicate invoice covering charge of July 2d, to of the Edison Laboratory, amounting to $5.00

Sept 16, 1918.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Monthly Stntomcnt

Amount § -

American Oil &. Supply Go.

5.0 0#

ORDERS CANNOT BE COUNTERMANDED

E. Laboratory.

FBI! DKG

December 20,1918.

S-turtevent Kill Co.,

Boston, i'ass. .

Gontlemen; Alton: iir.D-K.Sturtevant:

, Your letter of the 4th instant asking to* inf°rmation regarding two of your Hotary Crushers wnS reopived-

Bath of these crushers, have had considerable u3e and were ontirely satisfactory. About a year ago v;e one of them and we do not lin'ov; anything of it3

vjbe-reEbouts. The other one was i n use in one of our fSotoriea up to a short -time ago, when a change was made in Pr00683es. and the mill is not in use at the present time* , . *

Yours very , truly.

Assistant .to !.5r, Edison.

A/6162.

Edison General File Series 1918. Exhibitions [not selected] (E-18-38)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to industrial exhibitions and trade fairs in which Edison participated or was invited to participate but declined. Included is a reference to an exhibit of storage batteries at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition in San Francisco. There is also a letter regarding a display of goggles donated to the Edison dispensary by the American Museum of Safety. This correspondence was routinely handled by Edison's assistant, William H. Meadowcroft.

Edison General File Series 1918. Family (E-18-39)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Edison's family. Among the items for 1918 are letters pertaining to repairs to his childhood home in Milan, Ohio and to the disposition of property in Port Huron, Michigan. Also included are letters regarding son William Edison's requests for cash, his unpaid bills, and his efforts to obtain an expedited discharge from the Army at the end of war. The correspondents include William L. Edison and his wife, Blanche Travers Edison; Edison's niece Nellie Poyer; his cousin Thomas Edison; and Marietta E. Wadsworth, daughter of his cousin Nancy Elizabeth (Lizzie) Wadsworth.

Approximately 30 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected items include inquiries about Edison's biography, complaints about stock sold by Thomas Edison, Jr., and additional documents relating to William Edison's unpaid bills. There are also some routine items concerning Mina Miller Edison's financial affairs, handled by Stephen B. Mambert.

,«{/

tl

X/

F

John D. Ristine

January 22, 1918

I filed an apoli- 3 Ordnance Departmer

/<

Dear Uncle Alva:

<X On the third Inst,

cation for a commission in tl their file number 326.11.

I took this step, wishing to "do my bit" as X believe my experience particularly fits me for worh in this Department.

X an oast thirty-six years of age and there¬ fore not subject to draft and also the renumoration i3 not attractive.

■[he letters of recommendation attached to my application are from men of character and ability and speak for themselves.

- Knowing your close connection -vith Govern¬

ment affairs, I am writing to ask if v'°* ^decision reouest that my apolioation be acted upon and a decision reached. Any action on your part will be fully appre¬ ciated.

V/ith kindest regards t

und your fumlly,

Very respectfully yours,

//

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, Hew Jersey.

January. i.O.l. lii.

IJr. John D. IUstlno, Peoples Cos 3uildinp, Chicago, Ill.

Boar Sir

Your favor of tho LPd instant has boon received. itr. Kdicon hoc boon may from tho Lab- orator;/ for over four months, oxcept for a for: days at Christmas tino, v.hon ho was not veil and came. homo. Ho vent away again shortly after Christmas, and is now on his way to soa, whero’ ho will bo engaged on some experiments for the llnvy Department for come timo. We do not just know whon and v.horo a letter will roach him for some llttio tino. to corao .

Yours vory truly,

Hdison Laboratory.

A./4b3C.

p "■ Pf

V'] ! 7

Juno 4,1918

Hr. V/. L. Kdison,

.. . ilorristov.n, II.' J.

Dour Ti’illiam:

X received your letter of yesterday's dato und immediately brought it to your Father's attention. Ho has bent v,ord to Harry liillor to lot you .have the *50 for a few vroo'ns.

1 am very sorry to loam of your bad luck yi i th tho true tor . '

Yours very truly.

J./LFAZ.

D

\*Jl3

Thomas A. Edison, Esq. ,

Llewellyn Park,

West Orange, IT. J.

Dear Sir:-

C. W. Ennis & Co. has a claim for $21,19, for goods ordered hy William L. Edison in the name of Thomas A. Edison. Payments have been made on this account in the name of Thomas A. Edison, and as we understand it, by Ur. Edison. William L. Edison says he has nothing to do with it; that it is a olaim against Thomas A. Edison, and he disregards entirely our letters and even the offer to start suit. We do not want to start legal proceedings against Thomas A. Edison, hut feel that this hill should he paid.

Will you let me know whether this is Ur. Edison's hill, and if so when he will pay it; and if not, please inform me as to whether Thomas A. Edison ever authorized William L. • Edison to contract the hill in his name, bo that we can collect it from William L. Edison, if neoessary? It is a small matter, hut I have had it in my hands for a considerable length of time and you will oblige me greatly by letting me have a cheque for the amount due if Ur. Thomas A. Edison will do so, and if not, let me have the information so that I can take the matter up advisedly with Ur. William L, Edison.

Yours very truly,

Juno 13,1010

llathuniol C.- 'i'one, iisq.,

6 Washington Stroot,

liorrictov.n, ii.J.

Dear Sir:-

Your favor of the 11th instant has been received. Will you please lot no havo a ctatoment of the account of C. V,. iinnis & Uo. You do not cay what hind of poods they furnished, who:. and to v.hom t'hoy v. ere. furnished , ana upon- whose ordors. You will roadily understand that it is not possible .to pass upon the merits of a claim without full particu¬ lars.

~ ' Yours very truly.

Assistant to Jir. iiaison.

A./5S01.

a/i/18.

,ir. .to. H. Ileadoweroft, jl'UngO, II. J.

In Huy of this year, yoa kindly replied to a letter which we addressed to you at oat an account against William 1. Edison, of Morris uown, II. J.

vou told us that you w.ould get into communication with him and would do what you could to goo the mauoer satisfactorily closed.

Y/e wrote to Mr. Edison again at that time, hut

instructions to enforce collection.

Y/e dislike to l^®t^j^ameteoauso weMavrcortAinly

your a truly,

1#

ALBAli GH-BO VER GU.

cH’’

j

1

, - ^ ^

**/f/ -M '

TV*

EE.'f

August 9,1910.

Albaugh-Dovor Co.,

Marshall Blvd. & 21st Street,

Chicago, Ill-

Gentlonnn ;

' Your lettor of the lBt instant has been received, reference 86302, regarding an account which you have against V/illiaja 1. Edison,, of Morristown, ii.J.

■ - Will, you kindly let me know v/hat the amount

of your claim is and I will endeavor to secure payment from, this end .

. As X understand, ilr . Vim. 1. Edison has

recently joined the Sank Corps sorvico of the 0. S. Army and is not now at home.

Yours vory truly,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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Hiss Marietta JS. V>adsviorth,

Milan, Ohio.

■Dear Hits Y.adsvrorth:

ilr- Hiller handed your lettor of September 10th to Mr. Edison, v.ho has read it and V7isho8 mo to say to you tint you should have the repairs made and send the hill to him.

^ours for the Fourth liberty Loan.

Assistant to Mr. JSriiBon.

„ „„ . . . .. . Ua-' J presume upon your courtesy to very briefly inform

me as to wnou their real ages were, an* would it be too much, trouble for you also to state by what means you think they prolonged their lives to so great an extent?

Ootober 31,1918

Colerdige A. Hart, Esq., 35 Hassau Street,

Hew York, B.Y.

Dear Sir:-

Mr. Edison requests me to say in reply to your letter of Ootober 23d, that his Great Grandfather lived to the ago of 104 years, ■his Grandfather 103 years, and his father died at 94. Mr. Edison also wishes to say that he is nearly 72 years of age and is very much alive.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

A/5093.

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Hovember 29,1918.

lira. Kellie Poyer,

168 Union Street, r/$ Port Huron, iiich.

Dear lira. Poyer:

At Mr. Edison's request, we are sending you herewith, hy registered mail, the Quit Claim deed from himself and wife to Florence M.- Vinoent, covering four (4) lota in Port Huron, duly executed.

Yours very truly,

Edison Laboratory.

Enclosure.

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December 18,1918.

Sergeant William L. Edison,

30S Salvage & .Repair Company, U. S. Tank Corps,

A. E. ,

Ernncs.

Dear William:

Tour letter of tiovember 20th vma delivered to your father yesterday. He has handed to mo and asked me to write to '5-011 and 3ay that you are mistaken abcut his being able to get you a dis¬ charge. He says that all the enlietaenta and drafts come under National laws which are very strict and ' that- exceptions are not permitted. He says he could not possibly get you a discharge, and does not want to disturb a lot of. very busy 3 ov eminent officials and then get turned down.

'I am sorry to hear that ycu are under the weather, hut hope there will have been a good deal of improvement before thi3 letter readies you.

With the best -wishes of the season, I

remain ,

Yours very truly,

December 20,1918

Kra. W. Ti. Edison,

Uorri 3 town , D.J. Boar Urs. ’ Edi son :

ifour letter to Ur. Edison was received. He also had a letter from William the day “before yours o-rwo.

He. requested me to write in reply, and I think the best thing to do will be to acrid you a copy of the letter. You will find it enclosed.

You must bear in Mind that ■ e are pretty helpless in e.oase of thi3 liiid. IJr. Edison has hod one or two rathor hard experiences- in trying to retni-n men who were with him on Government. service.

Yours very truly, *

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A /6070.

Edison General File Series 1918. Fan Mail (E-18-40)

This folder contains unsolicited correspondence and other documents from admirers of Edison. Among the items for 1 91 8 is a letter and photograph from A. A. White, a former telegrapher who bore a "remarkable resemblance' to Edison.

Approximately 15 percent of the documents have been selected. The remaining items include poems and other expressions of sentiment, some of which received a routine acknowledgment.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (PHOTOCOPY)]

Ctatui ait

4tde£

Edison General File Series 1918. Financial (E-18-41)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents pertaining to Thomas A. Edison, Inc. and to Edison’s personal financial interests and investments. Among the items for 1918 are two audits of Edison's personal financial position, prepared by the accounting firm of Lybrand Ross Bros. & Montgomery, showing him to be worth about $11 million. These audits, as well as otherfinancial statements, provide an itemized listing of Edison's stock and bond holdings in both Edison and non-Edison companies

Approximately 30 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected material includes routine interoffice communications relating to Edison's purchases of war savings stamps and Liberty Bonds and to the transmittal and receipt of payments. Many of these transactions were handled by treasurer Harry F. Miller. Also not selected are unsolicited offers of financial services.

Related documents can be found in E-18-81 (Thomas A. Edison, Inc.) and in the Richard W. Kellow File (Legal Series).

Lybrand Ross Bros. & Montgomery

Certified Public accountants

February 9, 1918.

, Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, Hew Jersey.

PERSONAL INTERESTS of T110!IAS A. EDISON

l8 0f August 31, 1917. and append hereto a balance sheet showing ihe condition of the Personal Interests as at that date as compiled :rom the bookB. The scope of our examination may be briefly out¬ lined as follows:

All of the bank accounts, excepting that

of the Private Bivision were verified by correspondence with the aeveral banks. The petty cash at Orange was counted. As re¬ quested by you. the trial balance of the Private Division was accepted without further audit than to increase the reserve against personal expenditures to the amount of such expenses.

The notes receivable on hand were inspected and a reserve of $450 to cover those doubtful of collection was set up. The secur ities owned were not verified by actual inspection as it was not con-

renient for Mr. EdiBi

> examine his securities with 1

The inventories are stated as they appear on thi l r records having been kept. Practically all of

process on the Laboratory books, amounting to $43,000, consists of items to be billed to affiliated interests. Work on analyzing these accounts has been begun, and the proper bills will be sent out immediately upon completion. The work in process at the Johnstown Benzol Plant is carried at an estimated amount of $20,000. A reserve of $17,553.36 to cover errors in book figures is deducted from the value of work in process as carried on the books.

The value of investments on the accompanying balance sheet i3 as taken from the books, no attempt at this time being made to ascertain the correctness of the valuations.

All additions to plant accounts during the eight months ended August 31, 1917 were carefully examined and we ascertained that the allowance for depreciation was conservative.

The accompanying balance sheet doeB not include the credit to be made to Thomas A. Bdison, Inc. on account of the re¬ valuation of the buildings and equipment at Silver Lake sold to that company.

The patents account has been heavily written down and will, it io expected, be completely amortized at the expiration of the life of the patents early in 1918.

Liabilities: The notes payable, banks, were confirmed

with the holders thereof. Of the "Others" those held by the 'Wisconsin Seating Company were confirmed by correspondence with that Company. No attempt waB made at this time to confirm the "3?" notes. The balances of the accounts payable were carefully checked. The accrued items were verified and $176,102.79 interest on "B" notes set up as an accrued liability.

General: The personal hooks were in very poor condition

due to difficulties beyond the control of the present Secretary. A simple and comprehensive scheme of accounts has been outlined hy us to the Secretary and his assistant and it is expected that work on the new layout of accounts will he begun as at January 1, 1918. It provides, among other things, a proper grouping of the accounts, the use of a sub-ledger to obviate the large number of detail accounts now in use, and a segregation of income and expense items so that the individual income return of Mr. Edison might be readily prepared from the books.

The following statements are annexed:

Balance Sheet, August 31» 1917 Investments, Stocks and Bonds Investments, Other

Journal entries necessary to bring the books into agreement with the appended statement of August 31, 1917-

Very truly yours,

PERSONAL INTEREST of THOMAS- A. EDI SON BALANCE SHEET as of August 3X, 1917.

INVESTMENTS - STOCKS and BONDS

Investments in Edison Interests:

Stooks :

Thomas A. Edison, Ino .

Edison Phonograph Works Edison Storage Battery Co.

Edison Storage Battery Supply Co. Edison Kinetophone Co.

Edison Phonographs, Ltd.

Phonograph Corporation of Manhattan Phonographs, Ltd.

Wisconsin Cabinet & Panel Co.

EdiBon Portland Cement Co.: Preferred Common

New Jersey Products Co.

Par Book

Value Value

$ 600 ,000

4?2 ,960 2.593.700 100 3 ,ooo 300,000 50 ,ooo 50 ,ooo 201 ,000 1,801,100 8,489 .000 1,000

$ 600,000.00 451 .796.00 2, 57?. 021. 00 100.00 3 ,000.00 300,000.00 50 ,000.00 50 ,000.00 201 ,000.00 875,377.12 2,363,098.31 1 ,000.00

Total Stocks

$14,541 ,860 $7,470 ,392.43

Bonds :

Edison Phonograph Works 5# Gold Bonds Edison Storage Battery Co. Serial Bonds

Edison Portland Cement Co. 1st Mtge 6% Total Bonds

$ 63,000 $ 62,460.00

$ 2,479 ,000 $2 ,368 ,749 .96

Total Investment in Edison Interests §17,020,860 §9,839,142.39

Outside Investments:

Stocks :

Edison & Swan United Electric Light Co.

(B Shares) i 45,190 § 9,038.00

♦Mining Exploration Co. of K. J. $ 288 14,800 00

Condensite Co. of America 8,200 2’,600 00

Pohatoong Railroad Co. 31,900 31,90000

North Jersey Paint Co. 10,000 10,00000

Tide Water Equipment Co. 1,000 1,000.00

Llewellyn Park Improvement Co. 1,000 l,00o!o0

Golf Land Co. of Essex County 100 100.00

Gulf & Atlantic Steamship Co. 100 10000

Westinghouse Elect. & Mfg. Co. 450 45000

Warren County Warehouse Co. 50 50.00

Sundry Stooks written down to 13!oo

Total § 71,051.00

♦Par value per share originally §100 reduced to $2.

INVESTMENTS - STOCKS and BONDS , Continued

Bonds:

United States Liberty Loan 3£'b N, Y. Central & Hudson River R.R. 3£' West .Shore R.B. Co. 1st Ktge 4£'s Northern Pacific R.P..C0. Prior Lien 4 Lake Shore & Mich. Southern

Gold Bonds

Union Pacific R.B. Co. 4-' s Royal Hotel Ventnor, Ltd.

Essex County Country Club Record Ambulance

154,000.00

69,346.51

46,662.86

34,637.85

Total Outside Investments

’otal Investment in Stocks and Bonds

INVESTMENTS - OTHER

Land, Buildings and Equipment:

Alva Street, Bloomfield, H. J. Bloomfield and Belleville, N. IT.

Meulo Park, N. J.

Meadows, Newark, H. J.

Limestone, Raab Property

Florida Estate : Land

BuildingB

Less , Reserve

*3*. 379. 3* 4,050.00

0 799.17

59,403.74 7,899.73 13 ,845.60 9,608.00 5,566.12

30.329.34

Licorice Storehouse

Less, Reserve

47,110.11

7,911.92

39,198.19

Burlington , N. J.

Milan, Ohio

No. 10 Fifth Avenue, New York City Lobs, Reserve

113,743.38

5,624.95

7,352.02

1,620.50

108,118.43

Oxford ftuariy Crushing Plant Equipment Less, Reserve

72,696.70

14,770.29

57,926.41

Cow Account, Stewartsville , N. J. Library

Less, Reserve

29,231.43

29,218.78

5,126.37

12.65

$346,806.27

THOMAS A. EDISON, PERSONAL Private Division

Entries necessary to tiring the books into agreement with statement as of August 3*» 1917-

Current Investment $13,674.42

To Silver Lake Earn 0 5J00.00

Reserve for Doubtful Aooounts 13,174.42

To make up insufficiency of reserve against expenditures, and to bring the value of the Eatm Account to the amount likely to be realized.

^ ^ ' /

jy/ t/

THOMAS A, EDISON, PERSONAL Personal Division

Entries necessary to bring the hooks into agreement with statements of August 31 , 1917.

Reserve for Depreciation of Automobiles To Automobile Account To write Automobile Account down to puroh&Be prioe of Automobiles on hand.

Dr.

$ 4,403.04

Aocounts Payable

To Divisional Differences To take Divisional Differences out of ; Aocounts Payable Account.

“25.86l.3i

Capital Account

Income from Florida Estate a *.

Reserve for Silver Lake Buildings To Suspense

Reserve for Doubtfhl Accounts Reserve for Taxes /" *

To transfer sundry adjustments to Capital

UL, ft, .

14,547.57

26.70

425.73

Sundry Adjustments transferred.

Divisional Differences

To Capital Account «../

To write back sundry differences.

500.00

1,000.00

3,500.00

13,674.42

20,043.81

Capital Account i. ^

To Interest Accrued

Amount of interest acorued on notes and accounts payable to date.

176,102.79