[D9222AAA], Letter from Joseph Carlos Rich to Thomas Alva Edison, January 18th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9222AAA
Transcription
Mobile Ala, Jan 18th 1891 Ans’d Jan 26th 92 Mr Thomas A. Edison Menlo Park Dear Sir For some time the authorities of this city have been discussing the advisability of purchasing an electric light plant, and one [illegible] of the cost of operating the plant, over which there has been considerable discussion is that of depreciation. I know you are an exceedingly busy man but if you will take the trouble to give me your opinion on this permit[?] you will greatly oblige us. What in your opinion is the percentage of depreciation, assembly of electric light plants, exclusive of reforms? An early reply will greatly oblige Yours very truly Jos C. Rich Incandescent Dynmo 3% Arc Dynamo 10 pct Boiler Babcock General appliances station 3 Overhead percentage 10 Underground Edison tubing 4% Should say with large station for incandescent depreciation should be changed at 7 percent. As to ore system add above and 15@18 percent depreciation on arc damper depending on character of the lamp some lamps are so bad that it requires a number of merchant continually employed in [illegible]. I am not a very good judge of arc light apparatus.