[Z400CL], Letter from Cornelius Roosevelt to Theodore Puskas, May 22nd, 1889
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Title
[Z400CL], Letter from Cornelius Roosevelt to Theodore Puskas, May 22nd, 1889
Editor's Notes
My Dear Puskas, I think that a concession for the Telephone can be obtained here on the following conditions--
Begin by putting up a line between two Ministers passing through the Sultan's Palace and so arranged that the Sultan will know each time any conversation takes place--can listen to what they are saying without the others knowing it--and also when he so desires permitting him to talk to either Minister All this is very easy but is necessary to show him that there is no danger of [complots?]
Then apply for a concession for[Siayrue?]--300,000 habitatns or Solonique 137,000 [ditto habitants], once a concession obtained for one of these places Constantinople will be easier to get-- There is no use of trying for this later platce until then--##You should propose a " cahier des charges" asking for much more than you will take. The concession for either [Siayrue?] or Solonique will cost somwhere about 200,000 frs say 100,000 each-- a certain number o flines to be given gratis to the government.##The concession to be for 40 years at the end of which the plant & whole busines goes tot eh governement free--##Suppose you decide to begin with [Suiyrue?]-- The 100,000 frs are deposited int eh Banque or the Banque agrees to guarantee that the money will be paid. This done you present your cahier des charges & when finely accepted on both sides the money is handed over where the Imperial decree is signed & handed over & not before.##The concession should be in the name of a German or Turk & not English or French. Of course the nominee can do what he likes with it afterwards--##Please let me hear from you at once about this-- Should you desire to to into it rememer that we must get special permission to introduce the telephones into the Empire--they are rigorously prohibited. Yours turly Cornelius Roosevelt [P.S.] [Suiyrue? Has only about 10% Turkish population & is a very commercial place I should think it more valuable than this place for a telephone exchange.
Begin by putting up a line between two Ministers passing through the Sultan's Palace and so arranged that the Sultan will know each time any conversation takes place--can listen to what they are saying without the others knowing it--and also when he so desires permitting him to talk to either Minister All this is very easy but is necessary to show him that there is no danger of [complots?]
Then apply for a concession for[Siayrue?]--300,000 habitatns or Solonique 137,000 [ditto habitants], once a concession obtained for one of these places Constantinople will be easier to get-- There is no use of trying for this later platce until then--##You should propose a " cahier des charges" asking for much more than you will take. The concession for either [Siayrue?] or Solonique will cost somwhere about 200,000 frs say 100,000 each-- a certain number o flines to be given gratis to the government.##The concession to be for 40 years at the end of which the plant & whole busines goes tot eh governement free--##Suppose you decide to begin with [Suiyrue?]-- The 100,000 frs are deposited int eh Banque or the Banque agrees to guarantee that the money will be paid. This done you present your cahier des charges & when finely accepted on both sides the money is handed over where the Imperial decree is signed & handed over & not before.##The concession should be in the name of a German or Turk & not English or French. Of course the nominee can do what he likes with it afterwards--##Please let me hear from you at once about this-- Should you desire to to into it rememer that we must get special permission to introduce the telephones into the Empire--they are rigorously prohibited. Yours turly Cornelius Roosevelt [P.S.] [Suiyrue? Has only about 10% Turkish population & is a very commercial place I should think it more valuable than this place for a telephone exchange.
Author
Recipient
Date
1889-05-22
Type
Folder/Volume ID
Z400-F
Document ID
Z400CL
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University