[D8839AAY], Letter from Frazar & Co to Everett Frazar, February 20th, 1888
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8839AAY
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- Title
- [D8839AAY], Letter from Frazar & Co to Everett Frazar, February 20th, 1888
- Editor's Notes
- "NAGOYA PLANT. Your favor of the 14th ulto. Has our attention and we much regret that you did not receive more prompt and efficient support from the Edison Co. in the Nagoya business. The fact is that Niwa knew only of the Edison system and was strongly predisposed in its favor. He went to America under the impression that Frazar & Co. were the sole agents for Japan, China and Korea, but from the start it appears negotiations were conducted privately with him and quite independently from you. This was a fatal mistake for it at once destroyed your influence with him, because acting through us in direct communication with influential parties in Nagoya you would have been in the best position to exert the strongest pressure on the Niwas, but this was, unfortunately, cut off by the failure to negotiate through you at the start. Furthermore, this direct dealing greatly weakened the position of the Edison Co. with these Japanese, for it gave them at once the impression that the Edison was on a par with all other companies and equally anxious for business and only too ready to drop their prices. It seems that the zealous efforts on the part of the Edison N.Y. office have led them into mistakes in this affair which will take the some time to repaid--for the reports which Niwa will send home will undermine our influence in Nagoya, where the business to be finally settled and at the same time cause some of the parties there to view the Edison Co. with less favor on account of the great eagerness shown to secure this order on any terms. ### Possibly the Niwas may be in New York again when you receive this. In this case we hope it will be shown them that we are the agents of the Edison United Cos. As well as Mr. Edison's agents, and an adequate explanation made as to the misapprehension on the part of the Edison N.Y. office in not referring them to you at first. Then ask Niwa if it is possible for him to get authority to contract for an Edison plant by wiring to Nagoya. If he will wire strongly recommending an Edison plant we think they may possibly permit him to make at least a preliminary contract--as the Edison system is in favor there. This, however, is extremely doubtful, as the Nagoya people will probably take no steps toward collecting their money for the plant until the Niwas have returned. Please keep us advised by cable of the movements of the Niwas so far as possible and we will meet them on their return. As the chances are that you can close nothing with them, it will be best to refer them to us for final contract, sending us copies of all estimates that have been given them, also a few recent points against U.S., Westinghouse, etc." Yours faithfully, Frazar & Co.
- Author
- Frazar & Co
- Recipient
- Frazar, Everett
- Date
- 1888-02-20
- Type
- Letter
- Folder ID
- D8839-F
- Microfilm ID
- 123:710
- Document ID
- D8839AAY
- Publisher
- Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
- License
- CC0 1.0 Universal
- Has Version
- Archive.org Viewer, Microfilm Series Reel 123