New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-05
EDISON PROTECTS NAME.
SONS co. UNDER BAN.
Fraud Orders Against the Thomas
Il. Edison. Jr.. Chemical Concern.
TFRou THE rRrgrNE pt-REAr


Washington. oct Fraud orders have been Is
sued b. the Postoflce Department against the
Thomas a. Edison, Jr.. Chemical Company it's
officers and agents and against Thomas A Edison
tr.. the oldest Of tho famous inventor The
sweeping order directed particularly against
the use Of the mails for the sale of device
known as the MaFno- Electric Walker of which
young Edison was extensively advertised the
inventor. The offices OF the company are at Nos
"a and l6 Stone-st.. New-York. and from there
large and lucrative business was carried on. but
II failed 10 appeal 10 the officials Of the Postofhce
Department as a legitimate enterprise and was
accordingly suppressed.
Franklin Everhart who. IS alleged. was in
terestod IN The Investors Guardian" and the
United States Cereal Company both Of which ore
under tho ban 81 the department. is connected
with the mana cement OF the Thomas A Edison. jr.
Chemical Company. and his association with the
exploitation OF the remedy was. the officials de-
clare. sufficient in itself 20 warrant an investiga
tion. The directorate IS made w Of men who
have borne good reputa tons for business integrity
and some Of them II is ass lmed. had little or no
knowledge of the business. the merits de-
merits Of the magno-electrc vitalizer The d.
rectors ". r Shaw coffee merchant New
York; " Newton Bennington. real estate and rae
ing man. New-York. W Fnllngham a New-YorE
attorney; II. u. Schnure president Of the National
Bank Of Selins Grove Penn. State Senator
f. NJ. HummeI OF Selins Grove. Penn. w. l.
Mssimer. a Wilmington CDell lawyer. and Willis
G. Towne, president Of the Pennsylvania and West
Virginia Coal Company. who is also president OF
the Thomas A. Edison. jr., Chemical Company.
Mr.. Towne is regarded here a man OF good
reputation. who though financially interested. has
little knowledge OF the management OF the con
Germ. His connection with the enterprise as Its
president indicates officials declare, more OF neg
hgence than improper intent.
Thomas 4. Edison. ST.. the petitioner In the
action bringing the fraudulent character Of the
company exploiting his sons name to the attention
of the Postoffice Department. Mr. Edison in hts
statement. rather severely the inventive
genius Of his offspring. lie declares that Thomas
A. Edison. jr. has never shown any ability as an
inventor or expert and believes that he is incapable
of making an invention discovery of merit.
Young Edison in his own behalf. declares that he
merely suggested the idea of n portable medical
battery which others, acting for the company, per-
fected Application for patent then made
NIr Edison sr.. charges that the company did this
for the purpose of connecting the name OF Edison
with invention which would help the sale OF any
kind OF article. II further asserted that young
Edison was paid a salary Of sS5 week and ap-
peared at the office only to draw his pay.
Acting on the suggestion of Thomas A Edison.
ST. a hearing in the had September q.
at which the attorney for the company failed to
convince the Postofice that the device opera
tive or the business legitimate letter was sent
30 Mr. Edison by +. L. Alien Commissioner OF
Patents a year more ago. In which he referred
the recipient TO the decision OF George D. Seely. an
examiner in the Patent Office. This letter was
dated February 2. 1900. and was as follows
II this device is correctly described the so-called
battery appears to be imperative 1t consists OF
two plates Of copper with interposed acidulated
blotting paper With this arrangement. where is
there any battery cell? The plates are of opposite
polarity copper, and are metallically connected
to one OF the copper plates. but there is nowhere
anv relation OF copper and zinc. such is re-
ouired for a battery cell
II was then suggested that alterations be made
and This was evidently DONE for Mr. Edison re-
coived another opinion from the Patent Office.
dated February l. 1904. in which the device
found 10 be still imperative. and the claims
tected on that ground"
PostofBee Department officials believe that
Franklin E,verhart has been the moving spirit in
this enterprise as in other concerns against which
orders have been issued He Is also connected
with n company now under investigation and the
postoflce inspectors express the hope that within
a comparatively short time all enterprises with
which he is connected and which are found to be
Continued on fifth uau.