[LB056440], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Thomson-Houston Electric Co, Charles Albert Coffin, May 9th, 1892
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Title
[LB056440], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Thomson-Houston Electric Co, Charles Albert Coffin, May 9th, 1892
Author
Mentioned
Date
1892-05-09
Type
Folder/Volume ID
LB056-F
Microfilm ID
143:216
Document ID
LB056440
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
Has Version
Item sets
Transcription
May 9, 1892.
C.A. Coffin, Esq.,
Thomson-Houston Electric Company,
621 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:-
I beg to advise you that I to-day caused to be submitted to Mr. Chas. D. Shain the bid of the Edison Phonograph Works for the manufacture of 500 each of the 1/12 and 1/6 h.p. composite frame fan motors designed at the Laboratory for the Edison General Electric company, a copy of which I enclose herewith.
While the prices are lower than the prices which the Edison Gen’l Electric Co. agreed to pay the Crocker-Wheeler Co. for meters of similar capacity, Mr. Shain stated that several bids had been received which were considered lower than those admitted by the Phonograph Works, and instanced particularly the[illegible] Motor, which is manufactured by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In this connection I wish to say that my efforts in producing these motors have been directed towards the acquirement of the great economy as it is possible to obtain from machines of equal size and equal to the [illegible]-Wheeler. Dr. Shain [illegible] that economy was not a very important factor. I had supposed that our economy should at least be equal to our own competitors. May 9, 1892.
C.A. Coffin, Esq.,
Thomson-Houston Electric Company,
621 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:-
I beg to advise you that I to-day caused to be submitted to Mr. Chas. D. Shain the bid of the Edison Phonograph Works for the manufacture of 500 each of the 1/12 and 1/6 h.p. composite frame fan motors designed at the Laboratory for the Edison General Electric company, a copy of which I enclose herewith.
While the prices are lower than the prices which the Edison Gen’l Electric Co. agreed to pay the Crocker-Wheeler Co. for meters of similar capacity, Mr. Shain stated that several bids had been received which were considered lower than those admitted by the Phonograph Works, and instanced particularly the[illegible] Motor, which is manufactured by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In this connection I wish to say that my efforts in producing these motors have been directed towards the acquirement of the great economy as it is possible to obtain from machines of equal size and equal to the [illegible]-Wheeler. Dr. Shain [illegible] that economy was not a very important factor. I had supposed that our economy should at least be equal to our own competitors. May 9, 1892.
If it can be definitely stated what the lowest point of economy is for motors of this character, we can of course produce a cheaper machine than either of those upon which the bid of the Phonograph Works is based. The number of machines upon which we have been requested to submit an estimate is not large. If the estimate were based upon the actual continuous requirements of your Company, the figures could be reduced. This, however, is a factor which the future will take care of. Assuming that the order for these motors should be given to the Edison Phonograph Works, I desire to have it understood that at any time your Company wish to do so they can take over the manufacture themselves by simply reimbursing the Phonograph Works for their outlay in special tools, which would of course be available for use in your own shops. By thus permitting the Phonograph Works to temporarily engage in the manufacture of these motors, for your account, you would prevent the building up of an outside antagonistic manufacturing company. The work would at all times be absolutely under your control, and you would avoid the disadvantage which could not fail to result from the endorsement that would be given to motors of rival manufacture by placing them on sale through your own organization. I am particularly desirous that the Phonograph Works should obtain this manufacture. First, for reasons expressed above. Secondly, because their equipment is exactly adapted to this particular class of work; and thirdly, because owing to the inactive condition of the them.
At Mr. Shai's request we are preparing a model of each of these two motors to be forwarded to your Mr. Rice at Lynn. They require only to be [japanned?] to improve their outward appearance and will be shipped on or about Saturday of this week.
Yours truly,
[T. A. Edison?]
[illegible text] [illegible text], 92.
John [Q.?] Scott, Esq.,
Bullitt [Sig.?]
Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir:-
[illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] the following telegram sent you to-day:-
"Have [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] Mr. Edison to-day. Writing."
Yours truly,
A. O. Tate
Private Secretary.
C.A. Coffin, Esq.,
Thomson-Houston Electric Company,
621 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:-
I beg to advise you that I to-day caused to be submitted to Mr. Chas. D. Shain the bid of the Edison Phonograph Works for the manufacture of 500 each of the 1/12 and 1/6 h.p. composite frame fan motors designed at the Laboratory for the Edison General Electric company, a copy of which I enclose herewith.
While the prices are lower than the prices which the Edison Gen’l Electric Co. agreed to pay the Crocker-Wheeler Co. for meters of similar capacity, Mr. Shain stated that several bids had been received which were considered lower than those admitted by the Phonograph Works, and instanced particularly the[illegible] Motor, which is manufactured by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In this connection I wish to say that my efforts in producing these motors have been directed towards the acquirement of the great economy as it is possible to obtain from machines of equal size and equal to the [illegible]-Wheeler. Dr. Shain [illegible] that economy was not a very important factor. I had supposed that our economy should at least be equal to our own competitors. May 9, 1892.
C.A. Coffin, Esq.,
Thomson-Houston Electric Company,
621 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:-
I beg to advise you that I to-day caused to be submitted to Mr. Chas. D. Shain the bid of the Edison Phonograph Works for the manufacture of 500 each of the 1/12 and 1/6 h.p. composite frame fan motors designed at the Laboratory for the Edison General Electric company, a copy of which I enclose herewith.
While the prices are lower than the prices which the Edison Gen’l Electric Co. agreed to pay the Crocker-Wheeler Co. for meters of similar capacity, Mr. Shain stated that several bids had been received which were considered lower than those admitted by the Phonograph Works, and instanced particularly the[illegible] Motor, which is manufactured by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In this connection I wish to say that my efforts in producing these motors have been directed towards the acquirement of the great economy as it is possible to obtain from machines of equal size and equal to the [illegible]-Wheeler. Dr. Shain [illegible] that economy was not a very important factor. I had supposed that our economy should at least be equal to our own competitors. May 9, 1892.
If it can be definitely stated what the lowest point of economy is for motors of this character, we can of course produce a cheaper machine than either of those upon which the bid of the Phonograph Works is based. The number of machines upon which we have been requested to submit an estimate is not large. If the estimate were based upon the actual continuous requirements of your Company, the figures could be reduced. This, however, is a factor which the future will take care of. Assuming that the order for these motors should be given to the Edison Phonograph Works, I desire to have it understood that at any time your Company wish to do so they can take over the manufacture themselves by simply reimbursing the Phonograph Works for their outlay in special tools, which would of course be available for use in your own shops. By thus permitting the Phonograph Works to temporarily engage in the manufacture of these motors, for your account, you would prevent the building up of an outside antagonistic manufacturing company. The work would at all times be absolutely under your control, and you would avoid the disadvantage which could not fail to result from the endorsement that would be given to motors of rival manufacture by placing them on sale through your own organization. I am particularly desirous that the Phonograph Works should obtain this manufacture. First, for reasons expressed above. Secondly, because their equipment is exactly adapted to this particular class of work; and thirdly, because owing to the inactive condition of the them.
At Mr. Shai's request we are preparing a model of each of these two motors to be forwarded to your Mr. Rice at Lynn. They require only to be [japanned?] to improve their outward appearance and will be shipped on or about Saturday of this week.
Yours truly,
[T. A. Edison?]
[illegible text] [illegible text], 92.
John [Q.?] Scott, Esq.,
Bullitt [Sig.?]
Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir:-
[illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] the following telegram sent you to-day:-
"Have [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] Mr. Edison to-day. Writing."
Yours truly,
A. O. Tate
Private Secretary.