[D8462ZAM], Letter from George Harrison Bliss to Thomas Alva Edison, May 29th, 1884

https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8462ZAM

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Title

[D8462ZAM], Letter from George Harrison Bliss to Thomas Alva Edison, May 29th, 1884

Editor's Notes

[Thorough critique of Construct Dept business model] Capital is "heartless" and would "slaughter your interests remorselessly on the slightest occasion for its advantage." So you should harmonize capital with your own interests. Present policy is likely to "fritter away" the Edison lead and identification in public mind with incandescent lighting. Six different arc companies are offering incandescent lighting. They're inferior, but making inroads in public mind while gaining experience; you should SUE THEM! Most don't want to engage in "expensive and doubtful [legal] contests"; increased revenues will cover your legal costs. If it's policy not to sue, the Edison Co should take over mfging, pay you handsomely, then bring down franchise prices very low. Should establish regional Edison centers; too hard to do it all from NYC, and that also takes up too much of your time in routine mgt concerns. Very faint TAE marg to the effect to write reply to Bliss not to get excited about the arc co's; some sort of comparison to a cyclone.

Date

1884-05-29

Type

Folder/Volume ID

D8462-F

Microfilm ID

76:495

Document ID

D8462ZAM

Publisher

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