[LB057231], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to Richard Henry Clarke, April 5th, 1893
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB057231
Transcription
April 5, 1893. Richard H. Clarke, Esq., #49 & 51 Chambers Street, New York City. Dear Sir: - Your letter under date 2nd instant to Mr. Edison has remained unanswered owing to my absence in the South. When the Automatic Phonograph Exhibition Co. was formed Mr. Edison loaned them certain sums of money, which are now represented by the judgments that we hold. The Company failed in its object and demonstrated that its projectors erred in their estimate of the value of the business. Mr. Edison was not one of this number and never was in sympathy with the methods adopted. On the contrary, he protested against the scheme when it was brought to his attention. He does not feel that there is any personal responsibility attaching to him in any manner whatsoever. He has never advocated anything other that a legitimate use of the phonograph, and the present state of the Automatic Phonograph Exhibition Co. is an eloquent endorsement of his views. Yours very truly, [A.O. Tate?] Private Sec'y.