Max Rotter letter to James R. Harris - November 27, 1917
Transcript
[Busch-Sulzer Bros.-Diesel Engine Co. letterhead] Milwaukee, [Wisconsin, November] 17th, 1917 SUBJECT: Collaboration in Submarine Engine Design. Mr. J.R. Harris, Busch-Sulzer Bros.-Diesel Engine Co., St. Louis, [Missouri] Dear Mr. Harris: Enclosed original letter, dated [November] 23rd, addressed to me by Admiral Griffin. Under ordinary circumstances such a letter would be comparatively easy to reply to; but under the present National conditions, it becomes very difficult. As the time intervening between now and [December] 3rd is very short, perhaps it would be better for you to write to the Admiral that in my absence on a trip, the letter was opened in St. Louis, and that you are replying to it, pending my return to St. Louis. In general, I have no confidence in a design in which it is attempted to incorporate the ideas of a number of co-ordinate members of a committee. A successful machine must be consistent throughout, and therefore, its design must be dominated by one mind. My relations with the Company are such that, as a private individual, I could not co-operate with such a committee, without the specific permission of the Company.
Transcript
Mr. J.R.H. or willing to license others to use such patents; or that those not owning the patents might be unwilling to admit their importance by adopting them. According to schedule, I am due in St. Louis on Monday, [December] 3rd. If you think it desirable that I should go to Washington, instead, as requested by Admiral Griffin, kindly wire me, and send me copy of your letter to the Admiral so that I may know what position to take. I do not think that any one connected with the Navy Department can feel that I am unwilling, personally, to lend all the aid I can. The work I put into the submarine engines, during the past three years, must refute any such suspicion; but I feel, like the famous water-works engineer, that our Company can turn out better engines if given a free hand, than can be designed by any committee, and it would be very difficult to be a member of such a committee, and afterwards desire to build engines differing, radically, from those recommended by the majority of the committee. Very truly yours, Max Rotter
Details
| Title | Max Rotter letter to James R. Harris - November 27, 1917 |
| Creator | Rotter, Max |
| Source | Rotter, Max. Letter to James R. Harris. 27 November 1917. Busch-Sulzer Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. |
| Description | Letter from Max Rotter, Vice President of Engineering, to James R. Harris, Vice President and General Manager of the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company. Rotter discussed the collaboration on a submarine engine design. |
| 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 | November 27, 1917 |
| Language | English |