» £Sv*

A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION PARTY (1911-1919)

Thomas E. Jeffrey Senior Editor

Brian C. Shipley Theresa M. Collins Linda E. Endcrsby Editors

David A. Ranzan Indexing Editor

Janette Pardo Richard Mizellc Peter Mikulas Indexers

Paul B. Israel Director and General Editor

Sponsors

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site New Jersey Historical Commission

A UPA Collection from

Hjp LexisNexis-

7500 Old Georgetown Road • Bethesda, MD 20814-6126 Edison signature used with permission of McGruw-Edison Company

Thomas A. Edison Papers

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey endorsed by

National Historical Publications and Records Commission 18 June 1981

All rights reserved. No part of this publication including any portion of the guide and index or of the microfilm may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means— graphic, electronic, mechanical, or chemical, including photocopying, recording or taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The original documents in this edition arc from the archives at the Edison National Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.

ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2

THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)

Director and General Editor Paul Israel

Senior Editor Thomas Jeffrey

Associate Editors Louis Carlat Theresa Collins

Assistant Editor David Hochfelder

Indexing Editor David Ranzan

Consulting Editor Linda Endersby

Visiting Editor Amy Flanders

Editorial Assistants Alexandra Rimer Kelly Enright Eric Barry

Outreach and Development (Edison Across the Curriculum) Theresa Collins

Business Manager Rachel Wcissenburgcr

BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey National Park Service

Richard L. McCormick Maryanne Gerbauckas

Ziva Galili Michelle Ortwein

Ann Fabian

Paul Clemens Smithsonian Institution

Harold Wallace

New Jersey Historical Commission Marc Mappen

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)

Robert Friedel, University of Maryland Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University Susan Hockey, Oxford University Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania Ronald Kline, Cornell University Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons Marc Rothenberg, Joseph Henry Papers, Smithsonian Institution Philip Scranton, Rutgers University/Hagley Museum Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS

We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.

This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and The National Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Fund, through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.

We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the GE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians, scholars, and collectors, the editors are most grateful.

A Note on the Sources The pages which have been filmed are the best copies available. Every technical effort possible has been made to ensure legibility.

PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM COPYING RESTRICTIONS

Reel duplication of the whole or of any part of this film is prohibited. In lieu of transcripts, however, enlarged photocopies of selected items contained on these reels may be made in order to facilitate research.

EDISON GENERAL FILE SERIES

1919

Edison General File Series 1919. Motion Pictures (E-19-50)

This folder contains correspondence pertaining to Edison's former motion picture business, his contribution to the industry, and to motion pictures generally. Among the items for 1919 is a communication from Charles Edison to his father expressing optimism that the assets sold in 1918 to the now defunct Lincoln & Parker Film Co. can be reacquired and recommending producer Robert L. Giffen as a buyer. Also included are a letter from Herbert Hancock of Fox News requesting Edison to appear in a propaganda effort to "combat the rapid spread of Bolshevism" and a lengthy communication to the New York Tribune from former Edison attorney Frank L. Dyer challenging a statement by attorney Harold Steele MacKaye that French photographer Louis Le Prince invented the motion picture camera.

In addition, there is correspondence with Robert A. Franks, Edison's Llewellyn Park neighbor and Andrew Carnegie's business secretary, regarding a talking motion picture of the late industrialist made five years earlier A letter from film producer Edward A. MacManus invites Edison to attend the screening of The Lost Battalion, a movie about the Battle of Argonne Forest in which the principal characters were played by themselves. Other correspondents include English teacher and prospective screenwriter Mary S. Ayres, traveling exhibitor Lyman H. Howe, Edison associate Miller Reese Hutchison, film industry pioneer Carl Laemmle (whom Edison characterized as a "pirate" and a "crook"), Samuel S. Marquis of the Ford Motor Co., former Motion Picture Patents Co. vice president George F. Scull, and educator J. W. Shepherd. Topics covered in these and other documents include the educational uses of motion pictures, the need for a standard film width, a gyroscope camera acquired by Dyer in 1912, and the construction of the Black Maria film studio. The letter from Shepherd contains a notation by Edison that he was discouraged from making educational films by the utter lack of interest by the Educational authorities & others."

Approximately 30 percent of the documents, including all incoming letters with substantive marginalia by Edison, have been selected. Most of the unselected items are unsolicited inquiries or suggestions that received routine replies stating that Edison had left the motion picture business.

SIXTEEN HUNDRED BROADWAY

VKATTONS TO THE COMPANY AMD

Mr) Thomas A. Edison, c/o Thomas A. Eilso Orange, " '

.

. It has occurred to us, in reading over tne uicmJndousiy engrossing and impressive story of your life and career, that the subject contains wonderful material for a great big motion picture - a picture to— that would be truly an inspiration and a boon to tne ^ American People at the present time.

-Li V.'e feel there is great need of such a work

■y at this very moment and that the moment is now ripe tor

r an expression of some sort on the part of those men who s-s. helped win the war, and who stand at the helm of in- i dustry and public affairs today.

^ } Heroic times call for heroic measures, and it

is up to those who have vision and the spirit of progress v within them to make use of every possible medium- and $ . particularly the screen - to get to tne heart of the

6 r people and to show them, by example, what America has j ' j meant to those who are her accepted leaders.

i c This organization would gladly undertake to

VJ 4 make suoh a production, and would produce it under any «s) .guarantee and assurance you might see fit imp°se; _ _ -3 A and we are prepared to accept any arrangement that would “* <s'4s3Ieave. us the slightest margin of profit.

^ While we are frank to admit this picture

i would be a feather in our cap, we wish to point out VJ dthat it could not but greatly enhance the esteem and *3 -Jpreetige in which you are already held. If nothing -^more, it would make a wonderful record for the future,

' _£ Jand a monument of which you might well be proud.

. •* Whether or not this matter in any way

offends your inclinations, we have no means of know¬ ing; but please be assured that our motive in address¬ ing you emanates solely from a desire to keep abreast of the times and to respond to popular opinion.

Mr. T.A.E. -3- January 34th, 1919

It is hardly necessary to add that Universal is fully qualified to undertake a aommission of this kind, ranking with the largest produoers and distribut¬ ors in the world. You are invited to address any one of the enclosed list for verification.

If you are interested and wish to co-operate with us, our representative will be delighted to oall upon you at your own convenience and outline a detailed plan and scenario of our entire conception. Please wire your answer, and reverse the charges.

With best wishes, we are Very truly yours,

CO.

UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING

By if

Manager // //

Indus triajL/Department U

EM: ELD

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

The following Universal Industrial Motion Pictures will be shown by a lecturer to any interested advertiser without charge.

For full information address—

HARRY LEVEY, Manager

Industrial Department

UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. CO.

1600 Broadway - . . New York

gggaSK

Budding an Airplane Evaporated Milk .

Arming Our Fighting Men Empire Milking Marine Inventors of Today (Telepho

A Sauarc Deal for HU Wife _ _

Electrical Household Appliances) . Short Pictures of Dairy Show, Textile She The Story of Silk . . .

Over the floods to Victory Careless America— A Safety First Prupa-

rJf&SPE

The Making of a Corset My Lady's Veil . . .

May Irwin’s Conservation Loaf Hearts and Jerseys (with May Irwin, a member)

Manufacture of Cotton Piece Goods Paper Making (Educational) . .

Strengthen America— Prohibition P

—A Motion Picture Report _ _

penditurd for the Northwestern Fruit

(Short) Universal Screen Magazine (Short) 13. F. Goodrich Rubber Co.

1 Reel Bethlehem Ship Building Coip.

8 Reels Dayton-Wrigbt Airplane Co. (Short) Borden Milk Co.

1 Reel Colt Patent Firearms Co.

(Short) Empire Milking Machine Co.

2 RecU Western Electno Co.

2 Reels Western Electric Co.

Individual Exhibitors (Short) Universal Screen Magazine 1 Reel Firestone .Tiro & Rubber Company

1 Reel Firestone Tire & Rubber Company 1 Reel Firestone Tire & Rubber Company 1 Reel Bear Brand Yarns 7

1 Reel Worner Bros. Corset Co.

1 Reel E. & Z. Van Raalte

1 Reel Flcischmann’s Yeast

5 Reels American Jersey Cattle Club

2 Reels Araoskcag Mfg. Co.

Amoritcag M& Co.

1 Reel Strengthen America Campaign

1 Reel Society for Electrical Development (Short) Universal Screen Magazine

1 Reel United Drug Co.

2 Reels Universal Film Mfg. Co.

i Sce! Wamer-Lenz Co.

1 Reel Women’s Land Army of New Jersey

(Short) National Pkg?^Iachice Co

,sh-ort> iStSSL

(short)

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Mr. Meadoworoft’.r

RE: GYROSCOPE /(CAMERA IH POSSESSION OS’ MR. >o _

, ^ ut*JEial&ru~*.

When Mr. Dyer was in Europe 1912 , gure^gsed an op- tion from Electric Gyroscope Cinematograph Camera Company, L$d. on certain patent rights in this camera. fhis option /ms after¬ wards assigned to Thomas A. Edison, Inc., the latter holding it as trustee for Motion Picture Patents Company. The option agreement was afterwards terminated and mutual releases exchanged/ Mr. Dyer brought back one or more of the oameras. The amount paid for the option was £100, and instructions were given to bill this to the Motion Picture Patents Company. We have a bill from Thomas A. Edison Limited at London against Thomas A. Edison, Inc. for cer¬ tain items including one gyroscope camera (no charge). Probably the camera was thrown in as part of the deal and was brought here to be experimented with and tested. The whole question of patent rights has been wound up and there is no necessity for our-^retaining the camera for any legal reason. The only question which seems to be undecided is as to the ownership of the camera. It would probably take a very considerable investigation to determine this.

If Mr. Edison wishes to turn the camera over to Mr. Hutchison, perhaps he should get a letter from Mr. Hutchison in which Mr. Hutohison will agree to return the camera if it turns out that it belongs to some one other than Mr. Edison.

Henry Lanahan

'IAJU

The Cinema Composers kT Columbia Univer^sit

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

476 Clinton Avenue Brooklyn, N.Y.

Gentlemen: -

In view of the increasing demand for women in all fields of professional and Business activity perhaps you will permit me to file the following for future reference.

A. Education

1. Graduate, Wellesley College, B.A.

2. Graduate Student, Harvard University

-3. Graduate Student, Teachers College and Columbia University (at intervals) since 1900.

(Education, English. Comparative Literature, ^Photoplay Writing. y

B. Experience, Professional and Business.

1. Instructor, Leland Stanford, Jr., University, California.

2. Instructor, Lake Forest University, Lake Forest,

'-ST' —3. Teacher of English^ New York City High Schools.

4. (Tffice Experience . .

■*. % a.-president's Office, Wellesley College (clerical)

jb. President's Office, Massachusetts Institute of

C. Membership in

, t -- -1. Cinema Composers Club. Columbia University..

V\ 2. Women7 s Graduate Club, Columbia University.

’ — * -3. Drama League of America

* <2 ' 4. Photo Play League

* X -5. Municipal Art Society

^ *U y 6. National Council of Teachers of English ' * 7. American Red Cross

8. National Security League

9. American Defense Society

10. National Federation of College Women

Note: Have also background of

a. Army, through members of family who are gi of West Point, army officers.

b. Also ex-congressman.

These latter points offered as aid to active "War Service".

Respectfully yours, (Miss) M. S. Ayres

February 4,191

Mr. H. R. Hutchison,

Woolworth Building,

Hew York. E.Y.

My dear Mr. Hutchison:

Confirming our telephone

oonvei'sation this morning in regard to the motion picture camera, I am writing this letter just simply to keep our file records straight.

Mr. Edison made the following memorandum on Mr- hsnahan's note to him:

"Get the Camera and we will hold it here for future eontin- . gencies, hut if Hutch wants to . use it for a while he may do so"

Therefore, in accordance with our arrangement over the telephone, will you pleese go ahead ond'use the opmera and when yon are through with it kindly let me have it and I will put it away in our vault, in aoccrdanoo with Mr. Edison's wishes.

Will yon kindly confirm this arrangement so that my records will he complete.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

A/6467. '

February 5,1919.

Miss Mary Stevens ayres, .

476 Clinton Avonuo,

Brooklyn, II.*.

Your letter to Mr. Edison enclosing gcenario "The Old Men’s Paradise" or "Recalled to Life" has been received. He requests us to say that as he is no longer enmftea in the motion picture field, having sold out all his interests therein.

Vie return your scenario herewith by Registered Mail.

Yours very truly, Edison Laboratory.

Enclosure.

Lear Ur. Meadowcroft:

'jf I February 5, 1919.

^ ~ i.-'” ,, > viS 4

1. 1 have in my possession a gyrosuope —

camera belonging to Ur. Edison and recently discovered by me among my effects. It was doubtless brought to my residence aither during the fire of 1914 < "

Laboratory.

r when my offices were moved from the

2. I recently telephoned you asking if Ur. Edison cared to sell the camera, he having gone out of the motion picture bus¬ iness .

3. I am in receipt of your letter of February 4th, in which you quote u memorandum from Ur. Edison as follows:

"Get the camera and we will hold it here for future oontingenioes, but if Hutch wants to use it for a while he may do so.

4. Please express my appreciation to Ur. Edison and sav to him that as soon as I have photographed a panoramic view of New York from my new offices, and have taken a few pictures of my children, I will return the camera to the Laboratory.

b. As far as I know the camera is in good c on d it ion, but I have not seen it in use since 1913 a^. the Sulking Picture Studio where some effort was made to apply„praoti cally.

6. Inasmuch as the camera has no socket, I wish to from attach a tripod, and as holding the camera in the hand is far from satisfactory, notwithstanding the gyroscope, I hnre ' fcnk®n ““

socket will remain upon it for attachment to any one of the n of tripods that should be around the Laboratory.

7 If at any time prior to my return of the camera to the Laboratory; Ur7 E&sSfdesireS to use it, it will be returned upon telephonio request.

8. With best regards.

Yours sinoerely?^

Dear Hr Edison-

For years I "nave been collecting motion pictures especially posed, for niy private library, which I intend to leave to my children, and which are not for public exhibition.

I have agreat many, but of course cannot consider uy list in any way complete without one of you.

This is an earnest request that you will permit my representative to call upon you for the purpose of making a picture.

Will you not most kindly cause an answer to be made , and I moat sincerely hope a favourable one.

With Very best wishes,

I am Truly Yours,

*e-

Thos A. Edison.

Henlo Park.

Orange N.J.

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}'-j dear Er. Uoadov.orof t

I have looked ao so much of the old t ostinony I havo available hora and find that John Bondolph testifying in 1900, stated that the "devolving Photograph milding" was started in December 1892 and finished February 1, 1893. I

boliove that this is tho building usually referred to as "Black Ear ia" . Apparently there was anothor "Photograph Building" , work on which was done from September to iTovorabe: 1889. '.That this last building was doos not appear except that it was a building especially for motion oieturoa.

Yours truly,

/Z, O /•/’

&?3*3

Dear Mr. Edison:

Will Da passing thru your oity Wednesday, May 28th. Will it he convenient for you to see me for a few minutes in the afternoon of that day?

Kindly advise, and oblige

Yours very

LKH:A

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

r

Hr-

LYMAN II. ROTHS , MOVING PICTURES .

£>««..»! -1U

rim into the hundrede^miilibne ’ of the^ioneers

lathin' new field of industry, whose high Ideals and

»■.»?*”£ rsnarro°s mnSvSr.iK iScKr

for a period of nim> years (1884 to 18P3)

,.„„x +V,<R tlme Mr. Thomas A. Edison brought out his

^ irdH^pV e

mmmg?

phonograph^wl th his moving picture exhibitions.

projecting moving Piotwea °n £ the construction of such Communicated wi.th Mr. Edison r son) was -working

'J&tt^-SSSXt ‘to*.’ “o^ Ud shortly produce such a machine.

S-’5US2^,K2f»S‘HK^R“

f„°Sh;Sn"S%“".U“K“- M.f ol Ponneylt anla tor

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

_ _ _ _ i wlth”unaati8factory rasultB. Still

undaunted ha aat himaalf to tha tank of entirely remodeling this machine and after practically roconotruoting it and embodying many new ideaB, he secured such admirable results as to make it the most advsnoed mechanism of its kind at that time.

In 1896 uir . Howe organized his first company and exhibited mowing pictures in all the New England States. In tho course of a few years he organized five other BBupmniaH complete traveling companies that coverod nearly the entire United States.

In 1914 Mr. Eowe incorporated two companies both of which he is President, kr.own as THE LYMAN II. HOWE FILMS COMPANY, INC. and THE LYMAN H.HOWE ATTRACTIONS. INC., These companies whose offices and laboratories are located in Wilkes Barre, are now engaged not only in exhibiting, but also in the taking and producing of travel and educations, film subjects of the highest order.

Mr. Howe was born in Wilkos Barre, Pa., June 9th 1856, of Nathan 0. fc Margaret (Robbins) Howe, direct docondents of Puritrn Ancestors. Mr. Howe married M.Alioe Koehler, daughter of Franklin & Ruaan (Newhard) Koahlor of Allentown, Pa., on September 26th 1888. Mr. & Mrs. Howe Having no children of their own adopted a non whom they named Lyman Harold Howe, born “ay 23rd, 1901.

Mr. Howe is prominently identified with many of the local enterprises of his home oity. He was President of the ureater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commeroe 1915-16).

He is a direotor of Miners Bank of Wilkes-Barre and other local interests. In these war times he is City Chairman of the War Saving Stamp Committee anc is also Identified with the Red Cross, National Security League, etc.

June 2,1919.

Ur. J. A. Colman,

Lloonta, S. A.,

Australia.

Dear Sir:-

Your letter ’Of March 17th has been re'oeived. Evidently you are not aware of the fnct that Ur. Edison produced talking motion pictures’ several years ago and they were shown all over American and in many parts of Europe.

Aa there did not seem to be any insistent demand for them on the part of the public the project was laid aside t empcrarily.

Hr. Edison expects to take up a line of experiments on this subject a little later on, but he would prefer to proceed in his own v/ay and not to affiliate with other inventors along that line.

Yours very truly, Edison laboratory.

A/7272.

MAC MANUS CORPORATION

Hr. Shor.ias A. Edison,

Juno 4th, 191^

0

*.,« »*«♦ fSTssf*

?S™ B‘».?aSS. Sw“?“orMlr It™.. Msto*y in tl. «ia»6.

profit from its presentation.

#',i^ss»aws^*arw^“ oltlol“ls te”

“as?33,&:«iK'Sa^si!-

has hoen especially worded for you.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

E.A. ■“‘ac^amis, - -

II o 2 West 47th street Hew York City, H.Y.

I gladly extend wishes of sucees to any motion picture that visualizes the undying exploits of the lost Battalion. All Americans should the chance to see the heroes of the Argonne appearing in a faithful repnoduction of their historic deeds.

C7h@ DEVBY CORPORATION

Portable Projector^ W or of Professional Quality KJ

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- W i -/-/rP t-Ot'l <•/»

Mr. Thos. A. Edison, TTj __ / f-

■»•"«•• ■•*• ^ “‘"T T

Dear Sir:- are increasing strenuous efforts made

by several manufacturer* . to produce

industry two - o overs th^amusement and the other the

s&aas-J^s °s r"l3a~

suhjeot. ^

We maintain that^o standards ^in^ fere with the natural de^® °?g8^se subjects of educational as theatre as well as the school re“aon that is mentioned

well as amusement nature, ®I non~inflammable base holds good

to make the narrow width film of non Furthermore,

to make the standard f d^B°f the same^aterial.^rur ^ ^ the world has aocepted this i one * ^ logical reasons make

SBHiS* — - — “ .

ST-S* h S SS SAT3SS ™ «

toe available and could be printed on ■»» one for the aud-

-’assTt*

Chicago, Ill. June 6th, 1919.

Mr. Thos. A. Edison, Orange, N.J.

Honing that you will find the time in your busy many fields you covered.

Verv truly

Juno 11,1919.

Tho Do Vry Corporation,

1348 Uarianna Street,

Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:

I have received your letter of June 6th, and the following is my opinion. The present size of film is standard the World over. It would be a great folly to change it, and I do not think it is within tho power of man to do so.

Yours very. truly,. .

A/7354.

Knowing that you are interested in meritorious inventions I am writing you in regard to a recent inven¬ tion of mine on Improvements in phonographic Pictures.

I have recently lodged in the Patent Office an application for patent on what I think to he the most practical system of Phonographic Eotion Pictures inven¬ ted as yet.

Just to give you a little insight into its vaDue I will point three of its most important features.

1. The synchronizing of reproduction of picture and sound records which has caused inventors so much trouble is in thiB Bystan very fully accomplished by running them on the same film at a fixed relationship to each other, but in such manner that although the picture record iB run intermittantly at one/ point fox’ reproduct¬ ion the sound record ia run continuously at another, thereby giving evenness of reproductionand fiTSdolute synchronism.

2. With referrence to the sound recordmgaand reprod- ucihgnapparatus uoed, The Telegraphone which is the best known sound recording apparatus invented to this day fills this important part.

3, Also one of its most credible features is its sim¬ plicity of construction. No extra skill other than that necessary for the operation of the present day machine is necessary for the operation of this.

I have just begun the sale of thiB invention and am offering vou the first opportunity to look over the draw¬ ings and specifications. If you will write me to this effect I will forward immediately a complete copy of the drawings and specifications. I might also spy that this is a new invention and as I have copies of all patents issued to this day I am confident that you have seen nothing similar.

Hoping that jrhiis may be of interest to you and awaiting

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

TH0UA9 A. EDISON, INC. PRIMARY BATTERY DIVISION.

FUNCTION IN QUESTION PRIMARY RASTER! DIVISION UEUO. N0.A-58U

SUBJECT Talking picture of Ur. Carnegie DATE sept. 22,1919

Ur. II. Ueadcrworoft:

The attaohed memorandum is self-explanatory. I imagine R. A. Franks probably was Ur. Carnegie's sooretary and doubtless you know him.

If you think the suggestion is worthy of consideration perhaps you will want to carry put Ur. Charles Edison's idea of writing Ur. Franks.

IA7U:ASC

13PB-2U-919

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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1919

Mr Thomas A Edison

West Orange, W J My dear Mr Edison:

From time to time I read a statement to the effect that you have declared that "only a few more years will elapse before movies will entirely supplant text books in schools",. May I inquire whether you are correctly quoted in this matter?

My interest in the question grows out of the fact that I have charge of the Visual In¬ struction Division of the Mew York State Education Department, and am particularly desirous of keeping informed of the trend of opinion among thoughtful people on the value of pictures as aids to instruction.

Very truly yours

CXAAJ^Ctdr-

WINFIELD R- SHEEHAN. gtmralM

HERBERT HANCOCK, Qinchrln eMif

FOX NEWS

c ^Mightiest of<SUl

ADDRESS ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS HERBERT HANCOCK,

September Third 19 19.

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Dear Hr* Edison:-

To combat the rapid spread of Bolshevism throughout the country, Fo= Mews has undertaken, as one of its permanent features j to show in motion pictures the human side of the great men of public affairs by intimate studies of their hobbies, families and life aside from business. In other words, this most powerful motion picture weekly aims to show them to the public as human beings and not the cold, money-making machines the radical elements among the lower classes picture them

We feel Bure that you will ro cognize and appreciate the value of propaganda of this kind, partic¬ ularly so when government officials have been forced to publicly recognize the menace of the Bolshevik movement. This seems to be the season of labor troubles and labor unrest, and reports indicate that the undercurrent feel¬ ing is against the heads of hig business who have been made the targets for the outbursts of the radicals.

It is our desire to have you, as one of the foremost men of the nation, appear in Fox Mews with other leaders in the industrial world, and our representative, Mr- Martin Casey, will construct his plans to suit your convenience. Fox Mews is distributed all over the world, and its leading titles are made up in the language where it appears, making its power greater than that of the biggest newspaper enterprises.

Trusting that you will give this matter your serious consideration and lend your aid, as you have always done in the paBt, to save Amerioa for Americana,

Sept. 6,191

Mr. Herbert, Haneook, director, Pox Hews,

130 Host. 46th Street, How York. ii.i.

Dear Sir:-

Your latter of Sept. 3d haa been received and shown to ”r. julio.cn. Ha wishes me to say that he haa a lot of very Important work or; hand in uonneot.i or vith some new i nvosti.jaticn a und experiments that he is making, and ho will he unable to opera the time to comply with year request.

'fours very truly.

Aaoiotant to Mr. Mison.

A/7727

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October 6, 1919

Mr. H. A. Pranics,

2 East 91st Str, ,

Haw York City.

Dear Mr. Franks

It occurs to me that about five years ago we made a talking motion ploture of Hr. Carnegie, and 1 thought I would write to you to mention the faat.

Since that time we have given up the motion picture part of our business, but it is quite possible that we might bo able to find the film and the phonographic reoord, and if you think it desirable, X will have a searoh made for them.

I thiught it more desirable to make moation of this matter to yon, rather than to ono of the family.

Yours very truly.

Asst, to Vr. Edison.

WILLlAft FOX.ftMWftl

WINFIELD n- SHEEHAN, $mmfc9laiupr

HERBERT HANCOCK,!

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PELL MITCHELL,

FOX NEWS

c/liigliHest of <SUl

DISTRIBUTED BY FOX FILM CORPORATION

ZR COMMUNICATIONS

HERBERT HANCOCK,

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-TELEPHONE 9300 BRYAN* / CABLE ADDRESS

' ' “FOXFILM"

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ie^'17, 1919.

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Positively without cost to you in any shape, manner or form, we would like to make and show a potion picture of you, in several thousand theatres which we supply with our "News Reel" (same as Pathe weekly).

Motion picture audiences we find like our series of "Famous Americans at Play". They are tired of seeing wellknown neople sitting at desks:,’, leaving buildings and laying cornerstones. They appreciate intimate motion pictures amid home surroundings, or tken* during your hours of leisure.

There is a freshness and charm Mr. Edison in the new, the different, the odd, the unique call it what you will of our scries that has led other celebrities to accede to our request for permission to make and show their pictures.

Many of them were at first averse to the idea of screen portraiture, but none have denied us an opportunity to place the facte before them.

Will you kindly drop the undersigned a line (don’t phone) when it would he convenient for you, or your secretary to see me so I can go more fully into the matter. Perhaps you do not care to grant permission without first talking it over and reading personal letters from President Wilson, Ex-President Taft and many others in whose judgment you have confidence. They know that 10,000 camera-men work each day for our screen newspaper in more than 70 countries throughout the world and that a request for sreen interview merits the courtesy of an appointment.

Re spectfuliyj

FOX HEWS.

130 W. 46th St., New York.

Ootober 18,1919.

Mr. Arthur Log lie,

Pox News,

130 iY.46th Street,

Hev; York, H-Y.

Dear Mr. . Leslie :

Ur. Edison received your latter of October 17th, and wishe3 me to express his regret that he will be unable to make an appointment for the purDoae you mentioned. He desires 1Jfonn

vcu that he is so overcrowded at prosont that ho cannot possibly give the necessary time to comply with your request.

Yours very truly, ^

/insistent to Mr. Edison.

A/804'0

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October 22, 1919

Dear Mr. Meadoworaft:

Dr. Ac horn has written this letter per your suggestion to me, so that you might hand it to Mr. Edison some time so that he can read it at

Let me again repeat, Dr. Achorn has nothing to sell — wants no en¬ dorsement from Mr . Edison, and is pursuing this new science for the good of mr-’-J-J J’v”' the race.

the betterment of

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KUWIS

C.11AUXKS

1KC..1UBXKS ftimos.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Ootober 32, 1919

Mr. Thomas A. Edison West Orange, Hew Jersey

My dear Mr. Edison:

At the suggestion of my friend Mr. Edwin 0. Barnes, I am going to ask that you give me the pleasure of showing you and your associates the first of a series of moving picture anatomy stories, at your laboratory, at your con¬ venience .

I am attaching hereto a letter of invitation sent out to friends and acquaintances to a private showing of this picture on the morning of October 6th.

I am also enclosing herewith oomment from five of the Hew York daily papers, indicating their belief that I was presenting something new, original and helpful to the human race.

I believe that as adults, we run true to type, more or less like animals, and that by experience and training we oan exercise intelligent judgment along the lines that inter¬ est and are important to us. I believe that there is a physical and anatomical reason for about everything that we do.

The narrow and broad back types, simply have refer¬ ence to the diet best adapted to these extreme types.

The endurance type may be narrow backed or broad baoked. Physical enduxanoe, especially on a stand up job,

I believe, is due to the development and position of the sacrum in the pelvic girdle. If a sacrum ossifies in a more or less straight position, the weight of the body is oarried on a solid foundation. If this saorum becomes ossified in a very