The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-12
EDISON AT DINNER
GETS KEY TO CITY
Occasion Marks 10th Ami
versary of Commercial
Use of Electric Light.
INVENTOR is SPEAKER
Lays Success to Devotion
of His Unfailing Com
panions.
GREATEST BULB SHOWN
100000 Candle Power Light
Turned On Beside Aged
Globes.
INVENTOR is SPEAKER
GREATEST BULB SHOWN

Globes.
Thomas A. Edison was honored with
the freedom of the city last night
amid the plaudits of 600 friends and
admirers They had gathered in the
ballroom OF the Hotel Commodore to
pay tribute TO the wizard and to COM
the first commercial use of the incan-
descent electric light in New York
city when Mr.. Edison himself had
given the signal from a building that
still stands at 2o7 Pearl street and the
first central electric power house
flashed illumination challenging the
sunlight into certain downtown build
ings. including that of THE NEW YORK
HERALD, then published from Broadway
and Ann street.
Mr. Edison last night, while the
great ballroom rang with applause in
his honor and when its ceiling glowed
with the radiance Of the most mar
velous lamps made possible by his
genius, was modest as ever. Much of
his success he attributed to the faith
full cooperation of his "unfailing COM
also was, as ever, the optimist. In
the second address he ever had de-
livered in public he beittled his own
achievements and spoke of them as
"only a promise of what lies before"
Edition Banquets on MILK.
Abstemiousness, another of the Edison
personal qualities, was displayed in THE
hour of his triumph. The dinner was an
elaborate one of many courses. While
friends to right and left of the electric
wizard were regaling themselves with
choice viands, Mr.. Edison refused seven
eighth of them. He had a waiter bring
| to him a quart bottle OF milk. From this
he poured a portion into his glass from
time to time as the feast progressed and
slipped it contentedly. He smoked
several cigars with evident relish and
finally topped off his milk diet with a
coffee demi tasse.
/
presented to him a huge bronze key.
emblematic of the freedom of the city.
! and Enclosed in a rich casket of ham,
j mered iron work lined with red velvet.
| In his address Mr. Hubert had sketched
the trials and triumphs of American in
ventors. reaching his climax In the de-
| scription of those of the Sage of Llewel-
Ign Park.
In
| After the presentation Mr.. Edison
bowed and smiled. His son, Charles
Edison. who was introduced BY the
POSTMASTER. Nicholas F. Brady, presi-
dent of the New York Edison Company,
stood behind his father and read Mr.
Edison's typed address. as follows:
Mr.. President Hubert, / thank you
sincerely for your courteous presenta-
ton OF the freedom of the city, and will
you kindly convey to his Honor Mayor
Hylan. and to the honorable Board OF
Aldermen of the city of New York. my
deep felt appreciation of the distin-
guished honor conferred on me, of
which | am very proud.
This commemorative celebration has
deep personal significance to me- for
the Pearl street station was the great
est adventure of my life 1t was akin
to venturing on an uncharted sea- No
precedents were available. l felt the
sense of great responsibility, for I'M
known things might happen on turning
mighty power loose under the streets
and in the buildings of lower New
York. However. ! kept my own counsel.
Thanks to the faithful cooperation
of my unfailing companions, the Pearl
street station was carried promptly to
the point OF successful operation. The
later development Of the industry is a
matter OF history.
'As / look around this assembiage.
my thoughts run backward to those
days. although Father Time had laid
his silvery fingers upon us the mem
DRY of our early struggles at Pearl
street affords pleasant retrospect II
is natural as / sit tonight surrounded
by so many Of my old friends and fellow
workers. there should be mingled with
my JOY something OF sadness as I think
OF the men whose companionship we no
longer share.
IF there be some addition through
my work to the resources OF human
welfare, that benefit has accrued largely
through my good fortune In being ia
vored with the devotion OF associates
willing to throw their all into the melt
ing pot i have never ceased being
grateful to the Edison men whose friend
ship have enjoyed ever since the morn
ing fifty-three years ago when I landed
here from the Boston boat
ITO the wider circle OF friends I must
express the fullest appreciation of the
encouragement that has enabled me to
perfect various inventions. and Is nota-
bly, embodied In the splendid public util-
tiles bearing my name, OF which the
New York Edison Company is typsical.
! would think more highly, perhaps. Of
the little | have done II did not feel IL
to be only promise OF what lies before
There is still much TO be done in the
promotion of human happiness and COM
fort"
100000 Candle Power Light.
Directly above the speakers table
blazed a design in brilliant incandes-
cence, "Edison--fSs2-f922." on either
side OF II, as yet unlighted, projected two
modest little iron electroliers from which
sprouted electric lamps OF an obsolete
pattern. These. as Mr.. Brady explained.
were the first incandescent lights used
in this country They were wired by
the inventor himself more than forty
years ago. When the word was given al
other ballroom lights were darkened and
then the modest little lamps OF nearly
half a century ago flashed over the
brilliant scene alone.
The 600 men and women present, the
latter respondent In jewels and evening
gowns, cheered and again Mr.. Edison
had TO smile and bow his acknowl-