[D9202AAW], Letter from William A Stern to Thomas Alva Edison, March 11th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9202AAW
Transcription
Received Mar 15 1892 Ans’d Mar-16 1892 Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Orange, N.J. My Dear Mr. Edison:- I desire to call your attention to the fact that we jointly own patent No. 346,388, dated July 27th, 1886, application filed November 8th, 1882. This case covers the lighting of a train of railway cars by electric incandescent lamps, and has a great many claims, and think the first claim of this patent is exceptionally valuable one under the present condition of things. The language of the claim is as follows: “A system of lighting a train of railway cars by electricity, wherein are combined an independent steam engine supplied from the locomotive boiler and dynamos or magneto electric machine operated by such independent engine, electric lamps in each car connected with such generator, and auxiliary light in each car substantially as set forth.” The universal method of lighting railway trains by electricity consists of an auxiliary engine placed in the baggage car, operating a dynamo machine with combination lamps in the various cars, and a storage battery to supply lighting during moments when the engine is disconnected.” This method is in use on the Pennsylvania Rail Road and many of the western roads, and now I think, in view of the fact, that our patent is so universally infringed it is time that we do something in connection therewith. Will you kindly therefore write me at your earliest convenience what you wish done in the matter, and any suggestion you might have to offer as to the best way to carry out the same, and I will immediately take the matter in hand. Very truly yours, W.A. Stern