[D8239ZFS1], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison Electric Light Co Ltd, October 1882

https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8239ZFS1

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Title

[D8239ZFS1], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison Electric Light Co Ltd, October 1882

Editor's Notes

** PLEASE NOTE, THE CORRECT DIGITAL ID IS NOW D8239ZFS1 ** [Nine page draft memorandum, in Insull's hand with a bit of TAE emendation) Another useful reference for TAE's central station philosophy. Have read Hopkinsson's report on the Board of Trade Provisional Orders and think Hopkinson doesn't understand the nature of your company's business. You're going go compete against local gas companies, not other electric utilities, so must offer service to the public just like the gas cos. Your charges must be uniform whether customer uses 1 or 100 lights; you must be prepared to supply light at all times, regardless whether customers take advantage of it. Exetnsive discussion of the basis for charge for electricity, as compared with gas. Hopkinson wrong to suggest electric units as basis of charge; must be units of light. so that future improvements will be provide savings to the co, not the consumer. Think licencse should permit us to use up to 200 volts, to vary no more than 7 volts. Hopkinson wrong to say that our equipment is more expensive than competitors'; it's all devised for central station installations and you have no competitors there! Also, you investment in copper, boilers, etc will be far less than rivals. "The only competition you have to fear is the Gas Co." Hopkinson's report forces me to conclusion that no one in the company's service understands the the first rudiments of central station service; you should select an able engineer with no prejudices and send him over here to get a thorough knowledge. [some Insull shorthand marg]

Date

1882-10-00

Type

Folder/Volume ID

D8239-F

Microfilm ID

62:1174

Document ID

D8239ZFS1

Publisher

Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
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