[MU131], Letter from Edison Lamp Co, Francis Robbins Upton to Samuel Insull, November 26th, 1889

https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/MU131

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Title

[MU131], Letter from Edison Lamp Co, Francis Robbins Upton to Samuel Insull, November 26th, 1889

Editor's Notes

Dear Sir:-- We notice a growing tendency on the part of all the local companies to put complaints for lamp breakage through the office of the General Edison Co., so as to bring more pressure to bear opon us. We think, that if this policy is adhered to it will enormously increase the correspondence of the General Company, and be a very great detirment to the business. We feel ourselves fully able to take care of all complaints from Central Stations regarding lamps, and to keep the Central Stations friendly to this company and to deal with them equitably, but we know that in case Central Stations feel that they can bring pressure to bear upon this company by writing to the General Company office, it iwlll result in their not being willing to receive any settlement we would offer to make, and a tendency to continually ask for more adjustments thant they are entitled to.##We think that allcorrespondence regarding such matters should be referred to us, and that we should be held responsibleuntil complaints are at least a year old, for it take sab out a year to smooth over and thoroughly adjust a serious complaint.##We invariable endeavor to keep the matter of a complaint quiet for a period, and then when the pressure has been arranged, and the life is satisfactory, or a far better average life than that guaranteed has been given them from the lamps received, and the parties are in a reasonable temper, we then make some adjustment and rebate, and by some attention to the local authorities in the way of small lamps or a present of some kind, gain the good will, and continue in firendly lines.##If, however, your company are going to take a stand to force us to make prompt settlements or adjustments with them, you wil find that every company in the United States will think that letter writing pays and that they can get good pay for a clerk to compaling of every lamp that burns under fifty hours in their station.##WE can quote Wilkes-Barre as one instance, they have been endeavoring to get from us 500 lamps, and we were able to show them that their average life was over 1000hours. The man who was pushing this complaint, has since resigned his position, so that the compalint will fall, and we shall be able to adjust any little troubles with the new manager, and still be on friendly relations. Whereas, if the company was in correspondence with the General Company regarding a compalint, they would feel that this corresondence must be keput up and pressure continually brought on us so as to force us to give them lamps. Yours Truly Francis R. Upton

Recipient

Date

1889-11-26

Type

Folder/Volume ID

MU12-F

Microfilm ID

95:864

Document ID

MU131

Publisher

Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
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