[D8905AAF], Letter from Everett Frazar to Thomas Alva Edison, January 16th, 1889

https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8905AAF

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Title

[D8905AAF], Letter from Everett Frazar to Thomas Alva Edison, January 16th, 1889

Editor's Notes

Summary: This is a letter from Frazar to Edison dealing with a series of matters relating to business in Japan. "The most important question for us in Japan" Frazar informs Edison that he believes that it would be a while before the Japanese could figure out how to manufacture a machine equal to Edison's phonograph and at a similar price, still, he will transmit Edison's opinion on this matter to Japan. Berlin-Edison Co. Frazar quotes from a private letter from his Japan firm to Mr. Upton: "Niwa's reports of being able to contract Edison dynamos, lamps and electrical appliances in Berlin was bad for Edison's business in Berlin. The Osaka Co hoped to accomplish what Niwa claimed could be done and selected the Iwadare to decide on a system of electric lighting and purchase the plant. The result was the Owadare contract with the Thomson-Houston Co. to purchase as much as 5,000 lamps. It seems probable that Iwadare will make a failure of the station with the miscellaneous machinery it has assembled, and it is suggested Edison should start an opposition company in Osaka though it is doubtful this can be done." Nigoya - Niwa is in Tokyo conferring with Prf. Fujioka and claiming he can contract very low prices in Berling for electric lighting. Frazar is glad to have Edison's letter of Nov 7th addressed to the Berlin Co requesting them to withdraw the quotation they have given for Japan, hoping to learn that they have complied. In case the Berlin Co withdraw they hope to close contracts for the Nigoya central station." Frazar stresses the importance of promptly protecting his Japan firm against the unexpected competition of the Berlin Co. Hopes Edison will act soon, so he can close on the important Nigoya contract. Frazar privately assures Edison that his firm is always ready to meet the Japanese in the way of commissions and divisions of discounts, placed upon the net laying down cost of Edison material in Japan. His trouble is in the demoralizing statements made by Niwas and the unexpected competition of the Thomson-Houston Co. Frazar hopes Edison will excuse being severely pressed on this matter but Frazar assures him that this is a question of survival for his company. [Name mentions: Iawdare, Professor Fujioka, Osaka Electric Light Co]

Date

1889-01-16

Type

Folder/Volume ID

D8905-F

Microfilm ID

125:104

Document ID

D8905AAF

Publisher

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