[LB061187], Letter from William Edgar Gilmore to Louis Glass, August 28th, 1894
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB061187
Transcription
Aug. 28, 1894. Lewis [Louis] Glass, Esq., #216 Bush st., San Francisco, Cal., Dear sir: Mr. Edison has requested me to acknowledge your letter of the 18th inst., enclosing clipping from the “Examiner”, as to alleged incident pictures being used in his latest novelty, the Kinetoscope, and also improper records being operated on his Phonograph. We don't understand how there can be any objection to any of the subjects introduced on the Kinetoscope, as they are all taken here at the Laboratory, and we have always been careful not to take anything that would be in any way objectionable to the Authorities, although certain religious people might object to some of the characters introduced. Records for the Phonograph, however, are made in different parts of the Country, and it is not possible for us to prevent the making of improper records, although there is no doubt that the Authorities will suppress all that they can find succeed in finding. We fully realize that it is objectionable in every sense of the word. I might add that we have noted some instances in the East here, of having put on exhibition improper records, and they are being sumarily dealt with by the Authorities, and we are also glad to know that the same course is being pursued in the West. We shall be very glad to learn if any of the subjects introduced on the Kinetoscope are, in your opinion, absolutely improper. Yours very truly, W. E. Gilmore General Manager.