[LB020059], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison Electric Light Co, Eugene Crowell, January 29th, 1885
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Title
[LB020059], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison Electric Light Co, Eugene Crowell, January 29th, 1885
Editor's Notes
"I beg to draw your attention to my letter of January 9th and to ask for immediate action with relation to that part of my account which cover work done by the Construction Department aggregating a total of $20871 being cash spent by me. The bills for the greater part of this amount were rendered by me to your Predesessor long since and I think as a matter of simple justise a settlement should be made Your company is today deriving great benefit from the work performed by me, at my own expense, in starting your Small Town Central Station business and were it not for that work the position of your agents, the Edison Co for Isolated Lighting would be a very difficult one as they would have a great deal of the Experimental work to do and which I did in 1883-4 at a cost to myself, including the above referred to accounts, of not less than $50,000 I so not ask your Company to reimburse me my total outlay, although the benefit is derived by them alone, but only that portion (Engineering Expenses) which the then President, on behalf of the Company, agreed to pay and also for some small amounts which would have been directly chargeable to your Company had be been conducting the experiments under my general arrangement with them as to experimental work. My trained assistants whose education cost me a great deal of money, all the data plans maps &c formerly used by the Construction Department–in fact everything which I had of value in the business I have turned over to your agents, the Isolated Co, and they now have daily use of same and are enjoying whatever benefit is derivable therefrom. It is but fair that my course in theis matter should be reciprocated by your Compnay and to do this they cannot but make a prompt settlement of my account. The delay is to me a very percous[precious? perilous?] matter indeed and it is causing me a great deal of worry and axiety in connection with the finances of my business as from that shrinkage of my Capital owing to the losses above instansed and to the other causes my resources are taxed to their utmost. I may mentio nthat in connection with this Construction business I have a large amount of money still owing me by same of your local Illuminating Companies were it not for the fact that your business interest would be greatly jeopardized thereby I should have long since brought suit against these Companies with a view to forcing payment of [interlined above] my just claims against them. Taking into consideration the various circumstances as above presented I must ask for the immediate payment of my accounts above referred to."
Author
Recipient
Date
1885-01-29
Type
Folder/Volume ID
LB020-F
Microfilm ID
83:63
Document ID
LB020059
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University