During World War II, the Gate House’s function grew importance security
measures increased significantly around the Edison plant."604 Information the nationality all visitors was obtained before they
175
. There was uniform.
"Hannigan" was John Hanagan, janitor working the laboratory 1920 who
acted watchman Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
602 A. One the fellows I’m pretty sure had was
Flannigan..E. Johnson and Ericke, worked the Edison
laboratory from around 1920 until well after Edison’s death..E.he
didn’t wear anything special. matter fact, there was
one fellow had here who was retired cop, and this was nice easy job..601 A. He
stayed there till retired, see. Johnson/K."602
Occupancy and Use After Edison’s Death.600
600 A. Ericke interview, March 29, 1971, Oral History Project, 12. Johnson, who
worked the laboratory until 1938, claimed that the Gate House was "more or
less ceremony our time" and that the gate opened and cars "just came
in. Ericke interview, March 29,1971, Oral History Project, 12. Johnson/K.
604 March 23, 1942, memorandum, Historical Research Dept.E. Ericke, who left the
Edison Company 1961, described the situation during his time the
laboratory:
The gate house had watchman who was there all day. 1939 one watchman covered the Edison plant, as
well the laboratory buildings; whether worked out the Gate House is
unknown.These former employees, A. The time period discussed in
Johnson and Erickes’ interview unclear, but appears that while the Gate
House was staffed during Edison’s later years and immediately after his death,
the amount traffic passing through the gate was slacking off and the gate man’s
position was not taxing one.603 Later documentation indicates that "watchman" and "gate man"
were separate positions. matter fact, one of
them, knew him and liked him very well.E.
601 "Assistant Mr.who wanted come into the laboratory had clear through him.he simply sat there all day long, and
anybody .. Edison" Samuel Wilson, November 29, 1920, Biographical File, Edison NHS. Gate men were
combined with watchmen and police the Plant Protection Department payroll:
"in order that all such services, the present emergency, come under one
head.
603 Report the Committee Rearrangement the Edison Laboratory, June 19, 1939, Historical
Research Dept
