[D8966ACA], Letter from Pennsylvania Railroad, William F Taylor (Pennsylvania) to Alfred Ord Tate, August 14th, 1889
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Title
[D8966ACA], Letter from Pennsylvania Railroad, William F Taylor (Pennsylvania) to Alfred Ord Tate, August 14th, 1889
Editor's Notes
Altoona Aug 14th 1889####Mr A.O. Tate####Electrician Edison Co####Dear Sir:####I have to report as follows in regard to the New Battery=####Ten cells of said Battery was put in service upon the circuit between Altoona and Pittsburgh at 110 Pm July 12th 1889 and worked satisfactorily until about July 25th when Pgh commenced complaining that he got us just a little w----, and it confirmed daily to grow weaker until upon Aug the 9th we were obliged to disconnect Battery on account of our reaching Pgh too low for practical purposes--the trouble seems to be that Electric Motive forcce does not hold up--####I hope this may yet be overcom because we are so anxious to get a Battery that does not require the attention of a chromic acid or Electropap----####I think we have given the new Battery a fair trial & I made different tests t show that the whole trouble of weakness was in Balty- The only thing I regret is that I could not sooner advise you of its condition but you will pardon delay when I say that it was due to the sickness and death of my mother.####I await your instructions as to any further disposition or experiments you may desires made worth it####Yours Truly####W F Taylor####Dw For RRR####Mr A.O. Tate####I consulted with Messrs Kennelly, Ott, Batchelor, and Gladstone in reference to this failure, and Mr Gladstone seemed the best posted. Mr Batchelor & Mr Gladstone had a talk while I was present, [Mr?] & said that he thought the trouble was caused by crystals forming on the top of the [zincs? zines?] and touching the oxided plates and short a----tery & destroying battery. Mr Batchelor, suggested that we renew the battery, preparing the [zinc?] to present the crystals forming on the [zinc?] Mr Gladstone suggested that the solution be prepared at Altoona under my supervision, and the solution used instead of the soda sticks, thinks will get better results. Will carry out these instructions to the letter.####Mr batchelor also thought it a good idea to put at some other point another 12 cell battery. Mr selden of the B&O has a 91 [Wells?] circuit, and Bolts was selected for the Second Battery, using carefully prepared zincs and the Soda Stocks.####I leave tomorrow morning Aug 22nd to put up Battery in Balto then go to Altoona and start the one at that point, from there & go west [canvassing?] as per your instructions, and at same time call on Messrs Dareton of Richmond & Danville, Mr [Fortoner?] of Grand [Bank?] and Mr Dyer of Kansas City [Old?] Joe and Council Bluffs R R.####Yours truly####W.S. Logue####[name mentions: A.O. Tate, [Mr. Fortuner?], William F Taylor, Pennsylvania Railroad Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Charles Batchelor, Charles Selden, Ott, Gladstone, Kennelly, W.S. Logue. Dyer, Dareton]
Recipient
Date
1889-08-14
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D8966-F
Microfilm ID
128:303
Document ID
D8966ACA
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University