[D8630ZCA], Letter from Henry Villard to Edison Electric Light Co of Europe Ltd, June 29th, 1886
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Title
[D8630ZCA], Letter from Henry Villard to Edison Electric Light Co of Europe Ltd, June 29th, 1886
Editor's Notes
Four pages from Berlin; "Confidential." As you have been advised by Mr. F.R. Upton, I have been engaged for some time past in an effort to bring about a revival of the Edison electric light interests in Europe and elsewhere by ## 1. Settling the prevailing differences between your company and the French Edison Companies on the one hand, and between the French Companies and the German Edison Company, and between the latter and Messrs. Siemens and Halske of this city. ##2. The organization oa a new strong Company with ample capital that would make a special business of promoting and financing central station enterprises in Europe and the United States. ## The differences between the parties in interest mentioned were, as you are aware, of such a character that they presented the development of the existing Continental Companies, kept you out of all income from them and were about resulting in a general destructive war between them and Messrs. Siemens and Halske, in absolute disregard of, and to the certain ruin of, your interests. ## I take please in informing you that I have succeed in securing the accepance by the management of the German Company of the terms of the memorandum drwan up here by Messrs. Rau, Upton, and myself, and communicated to you, except as regards the amount of the minimum guarantee per annum of lamp royalties, which will have to be reduced. ## To bring about an understanding between the German Company and Messrs Siemens and Halske was a most delicate and difficult task, but a basis was finnaly found according to which the Company is to confine itself to promoting and exploiting electric light enterprises, while the firm is to take charge of thei technical execution. ## I am also able to advise you that the organization of a new company for the financial purpose stated is assured. Messrs. Siemens and Halske and leading banks and bankers will be interested in it. Its main object is to be the issue of its own obligations secured by mortgage upon central stations. ## Only informal agreements have been made so far, but I am confident that formal engagemens will be entered into in due season by all parties concerned. But the definite stps cannot be taken before September, owing to the absence of the principals during the hot season. I will duly report further progress to you at the proper time. ## Please communicate this leter to Mr. Upton. It is desirable, however, that the knowledge of its contents should be confined to as few people as possible as undue publicity will endanger the final carrying out of the progrramme, which includes an an essential feature a change in the control of the German Company. ## Hoping that I have acted to your satisfaction and tha I shal hear from you in due season regarding the power. Yours very truly H. Villard by C.A. Spofford Attorney 58 Broadway NY [update tc 3/2012]
Author
Recipient
Date
1886-06-29
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D8630-F
Microfilm ID
79:824
Document ID
D8630ZCA
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University