New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-12
BROADWAY,
BETWEEN 8TH & 9TH STs., NY
EDISON SUES HIS AGENTS.
HE CHARGES THAT TWO OF THEM CHEATED
HIM
LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY INvovED-HIs

LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY INFObNhD h4E
STORY or THEIR ALLEGED INGRATITUDE
Thomas A. Edison, tho inventor, began suit In
equity yesterday In the United States Circuit Court,
against Ezra T. Gilnland, who WAS one OF MI EisonS
trusted agents, and John c. TomlinsDn, who was
for several years the close personal friend and tho
attorney Of the inventor. Tho complaint was filed
yesterday afternoon by Eaton Lewis, As Mr..
Edlsons attorneys, aud Robert G.. lngerso as counsel
Mr. Edison sayE in tho complaint that for many years
be has been an Inventor In electrical ana oUer
fields of scientific research and that in tho prosocu-
ton Of his work no has gathered about him as
slstauts and employees, many Of whom have become
attached 70 him by tios of friendship as well a.
interest AID have given him their faithful devotion
and have received his confidence and favor In return
and that he has been in tho habit Of giving such a.
sistantS stock In companies which have put bis In
ventlons upon tho market, In place OF salary or
other compensation. lie says OF GiDlland:
He was, during the threo years prior 70 the month
Of July, 1888. confidential agent and friend OF your
OF the American Bell Telephone Company In Boston,
and receiving salary OF nve thousand dollars
smpioy. and BY way Of inducemsnt, guaranteed TO
Clllland that In your orators employ no would
receive larger sum annually man ms 'aiS GI ID
tbSrenpon accepted the offer Of your orator and went
to the month and year Aforesaid received, through
the fundamentally OF your 9raor larger income
a. The time that no entered into your orators employ
As TO Tomlinson, Mr.. Edison says:
Your orator made tho acquaintance OF Tomlinson
sbout FIVE years ago The latter WAS men an an
in the city OF HewYork, but having an inconsderablo
business and earning small Income In his profession
TOrlinson and your orator at once became close
personal fricnds and your orator conooyed tho desire
and purpose 10 confer all possible benefits upon
romlInson 50 as advance his position In his pro-
fesslOn and increase his income. Your orator usod
his so Ssous IN nor vRoR
orator was then director or stockholder, and your
orators efforts In that direction were successful 70
such an extent that in tho month OF June, 1888,
eanh one OF most II not all, Of such companies, the
total OF such retainer amounting annually 10 vory
tSg ssnrca q ~ the sa TomnsoR orator
appointed Tomnnson ms personal ana C0h , ga
GO ronaI asSistants and friends whom your orator
was in the habit Of rewarding for services In tho
manner described
Mr., Edison says that no has been experimenting
,or tbroo wears with tho phonoTaph, and has
obts,nsd patents IN the United States. Canada and
otbo, countries, and that he organized IN October,
,aa7 eoyporanon called tho Edison Photograph
Coropany 10 which no transferred some Of his pat
ents relating 10 phono graphs He received q, 1885,
Oo0 in stock out Of the 81 100000 capital and no
raw $50 shares of s1oO each 30 his assistants In
Guiding GnIland and Tomlnson.
The Edison PhonoTsph Company mado con-
tract on October % 1887, with Glland whereby the
latter was made the agent for tho United States for
the saIe OF tho monographs. He to receive q
commission Of 10 per cent Of the amount no paid for
tho Monographs delivered TO him Mr.. Edison says
that The contract was made by tho PhOnograph Com.
u.,v AZ his request ana Gilllland agreed 10 hold It
subject 20 Mr.. Edison's pleasure
In NAV. 1883, Mr.. Edison says, Gilllland and Tom
u,.on sugres,cd 10 Mr.. Edison the sale Of his stock
m the Phonograph Company. hr. Edison was 10
Iuetant 10 sol. but was persuaded to DO 50 and