[MB255], Letter from Cornelius J Field to Charles Batchelor, November 26th, 1889
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Title
[MB255], Letter from Cornelius J Field to Charles Batchelor, November 26th, 1889
Editor's Notes
Dear Mr. Batchelor:-- I have decided, instead of taking any salaried position, to go into the construction business for myself, and have about organized the "Field Engineering Company" for electric railway, light and power construction and consultation business, to take the superintendency of installations of plants and also contracts outright.##We are going to start out on a moderate scale with $30,000. cpaital to be increased later as the business warrants. We popose to give especial attention to electric railway work, both for power and electrical plant. I believe this work in the next three or four years is going to present one of the widest fields possible. I also am trying to work up a general consultation business. I already have the position of Consulting Engineer to the Brooklyn Company, as well as several other things of this class in view.##What I want is to obtain your infuence an assistance in holding work from Mr. Edsion the sae as though I were going with him directly. It will be directly in my line and I believe I will be in a position to be of more use to him than if I worked with him directly, as the part of his work that I desire, as Silver Lake, Niagara, or anything else like this, would be direclty in my line, and I would be glad to put as much time as he desired at his disposal.##When the Silver Lake plant is gone ahead with, I would like to obtain the construction work there either on percentage basis or contract outright.##I amy see Mr. Edison before you have a chance to speak to him on the matter, bit if you have a opportunity any time, I would like you to put in a good word for me.##I would like, also, if possible, to obtain your connection with this enterprise to a small extent, as one of the stock holders. We are not in need of money, but I want to get two or three parties whose good will and influence I consdier it would be advisable for the enterprize to have interested in to a nominal extent.##We propose regularly organiizing and incorporating the Company. The majority of the stock will be owned by a young Engineer friendof mine and myself. He is investing most of the money, as I have not any amount of my own to invest.##I believe that such a business will not only pay me a much better return than any salaried position but will be a good permanent business.##I am going into this after careful consideration, and although I have several very good offers in theway of salaried positions, including Mr. Edison's, I feel that this is the opportune time for starting such a Company, and with good hard work and determination, such an enterprise cannot but succeed. If others, with no influence or experience whatever, or very little experience at least, can go into this business and make money, I do not see why I should not.##May I have the pleasure of hearing from yo on this matter at an early date, as I propose to put the matter through at once.? Yours very truly C J Field.
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1889-11-26
Type
Folder/Volume ID
MB12-F
Microfilm ID
92:870
Document ID
MB255
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University