[D9211AKJ], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to Thomas Alva Edison, December 24th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9211AKJ
Transcription
December 24, 1892. Dear Mr. Edison, I have instructed the works to commence immediately the manufacture of 100 Volt Meters, 50 of each of the two types. IN talking with Ballou this morning about cases he suggested that we make these mahogany. The cost as between this construction and tin will not amount to any appreciable [illegible]. You know that the market price of Volt Meters is very high, and we will not [illegible] than thirty dollars for this instrument. I am afraid that if we put them out in cheap tin case people will rebel against the price. I think it is better judgement for us to spending two or three dollars extra if necessary to make the [illegible] really burdensome than to take the risk of losing ten or twelve dollars of profit. In addition to this, it is important that the first impression which we make should be a favorable one. All Central Station appliances which are used to-day are handsomely constructed. If after we get into the manufacture of these [illegible] if we find I desirable to make a cheaper kind, we can do it. Although I do not think we can increase our margin of profit to any great extent by any changes that can be made. [Illegible] to you approved I have told Ballou we would use mahogany boxes. If the statements which I have made above do not seem reasonable to you, and you do not approve of the proposition will you kindly address a line immediately to Ballou. I am obliged to go to Chicago on Tuesday next and do not think I can get through the work which Lombard has cut out under a week at least. Yours very truly, [Signed]