[D9231AAM], Letter from John Birkinbine to Alfred Ord Tate, June 8th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9231AAM
Transcription
John Birkinbine Philadelphia, June 8th, 1892. A.O. Tate. Esq. Edison Laboratory Orange. N.J. My Dear Sir: I am not surprised that Mr. Edison does not favor placing a separator at the Plattsburgh meeting out as loot as arrangements had been made, I thought it would be best for me to nifty him concerning the possibility of doing so. My reason for writing a personal note to you is to inquire whether anything has occurred to influence Mr. Edison in the opinion which I felt flattered he held of me. My relations with him were always so cordial and my estimation of him was so high that I may misconstrue some matters which have occurred. This I do not wish to do, but on the other hand if anything has happened to give Mr. Edison an erroneous impression of myself I of course would like to correct it. During the time I was acting as Consulting Engineer for Mr. Edison my only criticism was that he gave me too little to do , and I was thus unable to render him the services I felt competent to give him. I had reason then to believe that some of those associated with him did not favor my connection, but as you know I was so anxious to do what was just to Mr. Edison that I voluntarily rendered him services for six months without compensation during which time I examined the water power of the Susquehanna near Port Deposit, and also did all the work on the lease of the Putnam County properties. During this six months the plant at Ogden was partially completed and Mr. Edison expressed a desire to have me go there with him in the near future and look it over, and his invitation was so cordial that his failure to reply to serval suggestions I have made for such a visit has impressed me with the belief that something has occurred to break the faith which I sad reason to believe he had in me. Now I do not wish to appear over-sensitive, neither do I wish to intrude in any way, nor seek a visit to which Mr. Edison objects. In fact it was owing to Mr. Edison's invitation that I have never gone to the Ogden site when near it. However in view of the combination of circumstances which have caused me to feel as if I have written I have taken the liberty of addressing you this personal letter, and trust that you will feel perfectly free to answering it. Yours truly, John Birkinbine