[D0014AAD], Letter from Cloyd Mason Chapman, John Vincent Miller to Thomas Alva Edison, April 16th, 1900
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D0014AAD
Transcription
Dolores, N. M. Apr. 16, 1900. Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Orange, N. J. Dear Mr. Edison : - Continuing our report of March 20th : - The building was completed on Monday, Apr. 9th, and we at once took all the carpenters, including the contractor, making nine in all, upon the interior work. The storage bins are practically completed, also the framework of the belt conveyor, and the two large thirty two bins are entirely finished. The framework of the screening apparatus is up and that for the elevators is being raised today. The separator we do not propose to open up or erect until the carpenter work is completed in order to keep it as secret as possible. The line shafting is is being strung and the engine, boiler and generator are in position and in working order and furnishing light for the carpenters to work evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. The screens are about completed and the buckets are all on the elevator belts. We expect all the construction work to be completed in three weeks when we shall be ready to make preliminary runs. A question has arisen between Mr. Burn and ourselves regarding the employment, arrangement and pay of the men at work for us in the mill. He thinks it is his duty to attend to these matters himself and this would be satisfactory to us if it were not for the fact that we have lost one man and would have lost four more that <Ans. April 24/1900> would have been hard to replace, if we had not taken the matter into our own hands. Three carpenters would have quit this morning and car- are very hard to get as there is a great demand for them. Our machinist also quit work but we induced him to go to work again. We would very much like to have our position defined as Mr. Hoyt expects to be here this month and Mr. Burn will probably bring the matter up while he is here. We would suggest that you write out a statement giving us complete authority in reference to all matters pertaining to the engineering part of the operations here subject to you and to the approval only of Mr. Burn as agent of the Company. Hoping that the work here is progressing to your satisfaction and that we shall soon hear from you, we remain, Yours truly, Cloyd M. Chapman. John V. Miller