[D9245ABB], Letter from Richard Nott Dyer to Edison Phonograph Works, Alfred Ord Tate, November 30th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9245ABB
Transcription
[58?] Wall Street. New York Nov. 30, 1892. A.O. Tate Esq., [Sec’y?] Edison Phonograph Works 44 Broad St., City. My dear Mr. Tate,- I have your favor of the 28th inst. Enclosing Mr. Edison’s memorandum with regard to the Toy Company. I have written the Secretary of State of Main for a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and also of all reports and returns filed by the Company. It is first necessary to ascertain the facts before suggesting a course of action. If the directors have become personally liable, we might be able to catch one of them here in New York and bring suit here to recover the claim of the Phonograph Works. In this connection I beg to suggest that you have some clerk get together all the contracts between the Toy Company, Mr. Edison, the Works, and the N.A. Phon. Co.; also have him get from Eaton & Lewis copies of any notices that they have sent purporting to terminate any of these agreements. You should at least, it seems to me , give the notices terminating all license agreements and all other agreements capable of being so terminated, so as to leave the field clear should you be unable to compromise with the Toy Company and should that company subsequently attempt to go into business. If a complete set of these papers is collected and turned over to me, I will give the matter careful attention; but without having these papers before me, you will understand that I can give no advice of value. Yours very truly, [Signed: Rich. N. Dyer] P.S I have had the Main Corporation act looked into. Annual returns have to be made of Maine’s of stockholders, residences and amounts of stock. Failure to make these returns does not make the directors liable for debts of Company, but the Corporation forfeits $500 one half of which goes to the prosecution and the other half to the State. [Signed R.N.D]