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The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

[LB054198], Letter from William H Merrill to Thomas Alva Edison, October 17th, 1891
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB054198

Transcription

Letterhead of The World 
New York City,
October 17th, 1891. 
Dear Mr. Edison:- 
You may remember me as the member of the World’s Staff who accompanied you to luncheon on the occasion of laying the corner stone of the Pulitzer building, and who suggested the idea of depositing phonographic cylinders in the corner stone. I hesitate in introducing a personal matter on so busy a man, but am encouraged to do so by the reflection that both you and I have “worked our way up”-you to the head of applied electrical science, and I to the editorial charge of the greatest newspaper in the world (or I think.) 
You can appreciate, therefore, my interest in my boy, concerning whom I venture to ask a word of advice. He is 23 years old; took a 6 years course in electrical engineering at the Boston Institute of Technology; went immediately (two years age) into the service of the Boston Board of Fine Underwriters, and has risen to be second in the branch of Electrical Expert Examiner. He knows (at least superficially) every piece of electrical machinery in Boston, is both a good penman and an excellent writer (was editor of the Technology for two years – is a young man of good health and exemplary habits – bright, quick, industrious- 
He is getting $100 per month; there is nothing much better in the future in such a position.  
Can you use such a boy to better advantage? Is there a future for a young electrician who has got (so far) the inventive talent? 
With great respect, 
Yours very truly, 
W. H. MERRILL, 
Editor WORLD.
(SIGNED)

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