[D9211ADU], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to Mrs A K Clarke, September 14th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9211ADU
Transcription
Sept. 14, 1892. Mrs. A. K. Clarke, Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y. Dear Madame,- Reply to your letter to Mr. Edison of 28th ultimo has been unavoidably delayed. In replying to letters similar to your own Mr. Edison has always favored the idea of a beginner in the electrical business taking up practical work at the start rather than to devote himself exclusively to theoretical studies at a school or elsewhere. This means that the young man who wishes to become an electrician should obtain employment in some electrical manufacturing concern where he would have an opportunity to familiarize himself with electrical apparatus, their various applications, etc., and also to inform himself relative to the [numerous?] details entering into the manufacture there. In Mr. Edison's opinion the information and experience to be acquired by following such a course are of a much more practical and beneficial character than that usually gained by attendance at a school. Moreover, the knowledge gained in the workshop can be supplemented by diligent home-study of the standard electrical text books—indeed the foregoing is predicated upon the assumption that such study would be taken up---and in view of the fact that in most of the large cities evening scientific classes are conducted, the beginner has every facility for acquainting himself with electrical phenomena and the laws governing same. Of course you will readily understand that there exists a great diversity in the needs of attainments of different individuals and that it is impossible to lay down a general rule of advice in such matters as the one under discussion that would apply to all cases. As a rule, however, a young man with a high degree of mechanical skill and possessed of the necessary electrical knowledge succeeds as an electrical engineer. I regret to say that there are now no positions vacant in the Laboratory to which your son could be appointed. A much better place for him to enter, however, would be the Works of the Edison General Electric Company at Schenectady, N.Y. I do not know if there is an opening now at Schenectady, but you could ascertain that by addressing a letter of inquiry to Mr. John Kruesi, who is the General Manager. Yours truly, Private Secretary.