[D9242ABG], Letter from Thomas R Lombard to Alfred Ord Tate, December 9th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9242ABG
Transcription
Letterhead The North American Phonograph Co. Chicago, Dec. 9th, 1892. A. O. Tate, Esq., New York, N. Y. My dear Tate:- I received a communication from Butler to-day, giving me a copy of the resolution passed at the meeting of the Board of Directors the other day; this has upset me more than you can imagine, as it looks to me so difficult for me to carry on the business as they desire. Of course, I want to have the thing kept just as straight as possible, and am only too glad to conform to any rules and regulations as that may be considered as wise by the Board, but it does seem to me that this is getting the thing down to too much red tape. I cannot possibly run this office on small expenses if I have to do that kind of work, as I will require a large office force considering the amount of business that I am doing, or contemplate doing. I have already forwarded the statement of the account to Dec. 1st, as per my telegram to you to-day. I had a conference with the World’s Fair Committee last evening, and it is important that I should see you as soon as possible on that subject. There is much to be said and done before we can conclude just what is best to do, and the matter is in abeyance. All that they have done is, to say that they are favorable to the plan, but I think they want to charge us 33 1/3 per cent of the gross receipts. I am trying to bring that down very materially. I hope to get it to not more than 20 percent, but what is worrying me most is the question of space, etc., and on this subject I want a conference with you, and I think it would be much better for you to be here than to wait until I get to New York. You know how it is while there; how difficult it is for us to have any talks, and then if you are here you can see the situation so much better, however, you can act your own pleasure in this. Louis Glass came in this morning and is going on to New York on Sunday. He looks well and he will probably see you during next week some time. I note that all communications are to be sent to the North American Phonograph Company. What is the trouble? Is there any friction there? Do let me know just how things stand. Yours sincerely, Lombard [Signed] <Marginalia: P.S. Glass does not go to N.J. until later next week as he goes to Boston first. I have your [illegible] saying you will come on Monday night I am awfully dutifully Yours L.