[D9222AAA], Letter from Joseph Carlos Rich to Thomas Alva Edison, January 18th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9222AAA
Transcription
Letterhead of Executive Department, City of Mobile <Stamp: RECEIVED JAN 22 1892 Ans'd Jan. 26th 1892> Mobile, Ala., Jan 18th 1892 Mr Thomas A Edison Menlo Park Dear Sir For some time the authorities of this city have been discussing the advisability of purchasing an electric light plant, and one item of the cost of operating the plant, over which there has been considerable discussion is that of depreciation. I know you are an exceedingly busy man but if you will take the trouble to give me your opinion on this point you will greatly oblige us. What in your opinion is the percentage of depreciation, assembly of electric light plants, exclusive of reforms? An early reply will greatly oblige Yours very truly Jos C Rich Mayor <Edison marginalia: Incandescent Dynamo 3% — Arc Dynamo 10 pct Engines 8 Boiler Babcock [etc] General appliances in station 3 overhead [illegible] [poles] etc 10 Underground Edison tubing 4% Should say with large station for incandescent depreciation should be charged at 7 percent. As to arc system add above and 15@18 percent depreciation on arc damper depending on character of the Lamp some Lamps are so bad that it requires a number of [merchanics] continually employed in repairing. I am not a very good judge of arc light apparatus.>