[D8738AAO], Letter from Phillips B Shaw to Thomas Alva Edison, November 21st, 1887
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Title
[D8738AAO], Letter from Phillips B Shaw to Thomas Alva Edison, November 21st, 1887
Editor's Notes
"Since my meeting with you, and the other members of The United Company, on Friday last; I have given my whole thought to your proposition, and liberal as it is: as relates to compensation and control of the business, and much as I would like to associate myself with you personally, by becoming the head of so important a branch of one of your enterprises, I find that my other business relations, my home life, and the duty I owe to my children, precludes the possibility of my accepting it. ## I could write a long commuication, multiplying my reasons for declining, but you know as well as I do, that were I to undertake it, I should sacrafice every other interest for success, and this under the circumstances I can not do. ## I appreciate the tender of the position to me, more than I can express, and the fact of having been the first and unanimous choice of The United Company, it is a compliment. I shall not soon forget it, as it demonstrates that my past efforts in pioneering, were not wholly unappreciated, I beg however to say, that if at any time occasion should require any special work, such as preventing a competitor from closing a contract for a plant in some desirable territory, you are at liberty to call on my, and I promise to give you my best efforts, either with, or without compensation, at your discretion. An as a further evidence that I still retain my old time enthusiasm and convictions of the superiority of the Edison Systems of Electric Lighting, I will promise to sell not less than three Central Stations on your cash basis, before the first day of January next. Again thank you, and through you, the other members of The United Company for the compliment you have paid me, I remain"
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1887-11-21
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D8738-F
Microfilm ID
120:23
Document ID
D8738AAO
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University