J.A. Seymour letter to James R. Harris - December 14, 1917
Transcript
[McIntosh & Seymour Corporation letterhead] JAS/IB December 14th, 1917. Mr. James R. Harris, Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company, St. Louis, Missouri. Dear Mr. Harris: - Supplementing my note of yesterday written in New York; in order that you may be informed as to the situation, on Monday, the second Meeting of the Navy Conference of Diesel Engine Builders and Designers was held in the office of Mr. Price, formerly with the DeLaVergne Company, who has recently organized the Price Engine Corporation. The Meeting was attended by Mr. Spear and Mr. Davison of the New London S. & E.B. Company, Mr. James Craig of the Craig Engine Works, Mr. Potter and Mr. Chatain of the General Electric Company, Mr. Price and Mr. Arthur West, head of the Power Plant Department of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and Mr. Harris, together with the writer. Lieutenant Commander Fisher and Lieutenant Commander Nimitz represented the Navy. Those present were asked to divide themselves into classes: - Class A - Those who were willing to collaberate on a new design and were willing to furnish all information and data on the subject, in their possession, to the collaberating Board. Class B - Those who wished to submit competitive designs. Mr. West, who was later appointed Chairman, Mr. Chatain, Mr. Price and Mr. Harris joined Class A. Mr. Spear and Mr. Craig joined Class B, who stated that they would not submit their designs to the collaberating Committee, as proposed, but would submit them direct to the Navy Department.
Transcript
Mr. James R. Harris [page 2] 12/14-[1917] JAS/IB Mr. Davison and Mr. Potter had been requested to leave the Meeting, for reasons which seemed pretty fine spun, especially since I believe Mr. Harris, formerly with the Southward people, has been retained by Mr. Price. Apparently, the Navy Department has agreed to pay the expenses of the Class A collaberation; has taken over Mr. Price's office and drafting force, and has also taken on one or two men furnished by Mr. Chatain and others. I may be pessimistic, but this looks like spending a good deal of money with a slight chance of getting anything worth while, outside of what the Navy Department could do themselves, at a less expense. I was informed in Washington, by an Official of the Shipping Board, that Admiral Griffin had come to the conclusion that nothing would come of the effort. Mr. Spear stated to me that if it had been a collaberation of your concern, Mr. Craig, and my people, he would have been inclined to consider going into collaberation very favorably. In view of the situation as it has developed, the actual builders of Diesel engines are not in as good a position as they would have been earlier to make a protest; that is, it would be most unfortunate at this time to indulge in any criticism, which would result only in "rocking the boat". However, I think that the situation in general is so unfortunate that it would be well worth while to get together and see whether there is not something that we could do to help out. I could not arrange for a Meeting on Saturday, as proposed in your telegram, and at the writing, we are having such a blizzard that railroad travel is next to impossible in this locality. If you can arrange to meet us in New York, say about Wednesday, so as to give me a little time to arrange with the others, please wire me immediately upon receipt of this letter in care of the New York Office of McIntosh & Seymour Corporation, 3006 Singer Building, New York City. I enclose you copy of letter I am sending Admiral Griffin, and also to Mr. Spear and I will send another copy to Mr. Craig. Very truly yours, JA Seymour ENCLOSURE:
Details
| Title | J.A. Seymour letter to James R. Harris - December 14, 1917 |
| Creator | Seymour, J.A. |
| Source | Seymour, J.A. Letter to James R. Harris. 14 December 1917. Busch-Sulzer Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. |
| Description | Letter from J.A. Seymour of McIntosh and Seymour Corporation, to James R. Harris, Vice-President and General Manager of the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company. The McIntosh and Seymour Corporation was based out of Auburn, New York and created Diesel type oil engine and steam engines. This letter refers to a meeting of designers and engineers coordinated to produce engines for World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | Diesel engine; Submarine boats; Busch-Sulzer brothers Diesel engine company |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Contributing Institution | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Wisconsin Historical Society: 608-264-6535 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 14, 1917 |
| Language | English |