[LB038306], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to Thomas Alva Edison, March 13th, 1890
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB038306
Transcription
March 13, 90 My dear Mr. Edison,- There is a hitch in the "Nickel-Slot" negotiations. Cheever's crowd has agreed to all the points in Lippincott's proposition, with the exception of one, that is, they demand that the cabinet work shall be bought from Gilliland's people. I saw Lippincott yesterday, and in your behalf, I refused absolutely to consent to this. Cheever told Lippincott that unless we consented the deal would have to be called off. He may mean this, or he may only be "bluffings." Anyway I have refused to agree to it, and in order to have the demand withdrawn I telegraphed Glass yesterday as follows:- "Edison and Lippincott have agreed with Cheever Gilliland on division of Capital Stock of Slot Company subject to your approval; only obstacle in way of combination being actually effected to is that Gilliland insists on furnishing cabinet work, which Edison will not consent to. We want you to use your influence towards getting Gilliland to withdraw this demand; otherwise Edison Lippincott will start manufacture of nickel-slot machine patented by Lombard, which they control. I anticipate your unqualified support. Advise me immediately of your action in this connection. A.O. Tate" Lippincott is on the ragged edge, because Cheever's Company has contracts with some of his [illegible] Cheever means what he says. Lippincott told me that he had read an opinion given to Cheever's Company by ex-Judge Noah Davis, to the effect that the sub-Companies had a perfect right to use "Nickel-Slot" machines of their own selection. I have given Lippincott to understand that you preferred competition in this business to the acceptance of a proposition giving part of the manufacture to Gilliland. We are holding off now, awaiting an answer from Glass. I should like to have a word from you about this business, sufficient to assure me that I have expressed and am carrying out your views. Yours very truly, A.O. Tate