The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

Transcription

Letterhead: Pennsylvania Railroad Co.  
Office of Division Operator of Altoona Division 
Altoona, PA March. 19th, 1892. 
Mr. T. A. Edison, 
Orange, New Jersey. 
Dear Sir:- 
Permit me to address you a letter of inquiry for your kind and prompt consideration. You probably have been informed that the question of the use of “Underground Cables” between Jersey City, and Philadelphia, is being carefully considered by the Pennsylvania Rail Road Company; Your Mr. James F. Kelly, has already furnished us with the estimated cost of such a cable. But one or two other important factors enter into the use of an underground system, for telegraphic purposes. For circuits of ninety 90 mile or more lengths, especially so when each conductor would have, from one to thirty 30 or more intermediate Morse relays inserted. Aside from the financial question probably the two next important points to be considered would be, how to construct, and successfully operate such a cable for the “Worse Closed Circuit System” as well as possibly using, one or more conductors for some form of multiple telegraph. Upon Feb. 10t., the general committee having in charge, the question of improvement of the telegraph service, upon the Pennsylvania Rail Road, held d a meeting at Broad Street Station Philada. 2nd. 
Among other matters considered, and discussed the following resolution was passed, “That the cable committee be required to make supplementary report embodying the details, of guarantee of , Mr. Edison, in his proposition to construct and underground cable, suggesting the best cable and how to operate the same, “ perhaps this resolution is broader than you would care to consider, in a public manner, however we think that perhaps there would be many points which you would be willing to give us that would be of great value to us, in the solution of this question. I am quite certain that the committee referred to, consisting of a number of officers of this company, would esteem it a great favor, to have an expression from you upon this points if you see your way [clear?] would be glad to have your reply at as early a date as possible, since it is the desire of this committee, to dispose of the matter not later than Wednesday of next week. 
Very truly yours, 
[Signed: William F. Taylor] 
Division Operator. I had supposed ere I recd. Your letter that the matter had been dropped by the PRR people = I have no longer [a financial?] interest in the matter but will say that I should very much like to see that PRR [2 illegible words] underground cables [illegible words] business of the Committee [illegible words] 
Be an epoch in the [1 illegible word] but it cannot be done in a hurry I am willing to aid by giving what Experiences I have which Interferences Retardation as learned by years of Experimenting   on Automatic & Quad. The best way would be to have a Com. Of one or 2 with all the data. Come here & spend a pm with Mr. Kennelly & myself & let us look into the matter carefully.  E[dison]