[LB051533], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to North American Phonograph Co, Thomas R Lombard, November 3rd, 1891
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Title
[LB051533], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to North American Phonograph Co, Thomas R Lombard, November 3rd, 1891
Author
Date
1891-11-03
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
LB051-F
Microfilm ID
142:649
Document ID
LB051533
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
Has Version
Item sets
Transcription
455
FBM
November 3rd, 1891.
Thomas R. Lombard, Esq., Vice President,
The North American Phonograph Company,
14 & 16 Morris St.,
Jersey City, N.J.
Dear Sir:--
Replying to your letter of the 30th ult., in regard to the accounts of Messrs. Holland Brothers for the Phonograph Exhibit at Montreal. When I addressed my former communication to you, refusing to consider the bills which they presented, I intended at the same time to write you another letter complaining of their failure to carry out an important part of our understanding, but was prevented from doing so immediately by the press of other work.
I wish to say now that I am very much disappointed at the manner in which they received my proposition. It was very clearly understood between you and myself that a certain number of Nickle-in-the-Slot-Machines were to have been placed in the Montreal Exhibition for the purpose of collecting a revenue from the public to reduce our expenses, and the arrangement which I suggested regarding the disposition of these anticipated proceeds was, I think, a most liberal one. Messrs, Holland Brothers failed absolutely in this part of the undertaking, with the result that we have had no opportunity whatever to recoup ourselves for the large outlay with which we are already burdened, and on top of this, they have attempted to collect their own personal expenditures just as though they had absolutely no interest in the Exhibition, and were extending a privilege instead of receiving a favor.
I am utterly at a loss to understand the condition of mind of these gentlemen, which prompts them to make such claims. I thought when I made the suggestion in regard to exhibiting the Phonograph that its liberality would be appreciated, but it has been received in an entirely different spirit which will certainly not tend to benefit your Canadian Agents so far as future assistance is concerned.
As for yourself, please understand that I do not consider you a party to their faults. If at any time I can serve you, I will do so now as cheerfully as I have done in the past.
Yours truly,
A.O. Tate
Private Secretary.
No enc.
FBM
November 3rd, 1891.
Thomas R. Lombard, Esq., Vice President,
The North American Phonograph Company,
14 & 16 Morris St.,
Jersey City, N.J.
Dear Sir:--
Replying to your letter of the 30th ult., in regard to the accounts of Messrs. Holland Brothers for the Phonograph Exhibit at Montreal. When I addressed my former communication to you, refusing to consider the bills which they presented, I intended at the same time to write you another letter complaining of their failure to carry out an important part of our understanding, but was prevented from doing so immediately by the press of other work.
I wish to say now that I am very much disappointed at the manner in which they received my proposition. It was very clearly understood between you and myself that a certain number of Nickle-in-the-Slot-Machines were to have been placed in the Montreal Exhibition for the purpose of collecting a revenue from the public to reduce our expenses, and the arrangement which I suggested regarding the disposition of these anticipated proceeds was, I think, a most liberal one. Messrs, Holland Brothers failed absolutely in this part of the undertaking, with the result that we have had no opportunity whatever to recoup ourselves for the large outlay with which we are already burdened, and on top of this, they have attempted to collect their own personal expenditures just as though they had absolutely no interest in the Exhibition, and were extending a privilege instead of receiving a favor.
I am utterly at a loss to understand the condition of mind of these gentlemen, which prompts them to make such claims. I thought when I made the suggestion in regard to exhibiting the Phonograph that its liberality would be appreciated, but it has been received in an entirely different spirit which will certainly not tend to benefit your Canadian Agents so far as future assistance is concerned.
As for yourself, please understand that I do not consider you a party to their faults. If at any time I can serve you, I will do so now as cheerfully as I have done in the past.
Yours truly,
A.O. Tate
Private Secretary.
No enc.