. John Randolph followed Tate Edison’s personal secretary in
1893. long-time Edison employee, was also treasurer many Edison
companies and personal secretary had power attorney act for Edison."185
60
.. With a
small support staff his own, Tate was important player the Edison
organization, and was close Edison himself.00 per week. Tate began his career as
Insull’s stenographer and quickly advanced through the organization. Meister worked the third floor Building at
some point; notes that "had the pleasure being engaged Mr.Edison powerful one.182
1Ba Millard, Edison and the Business ofInnovation, 54.
185 Edison Pioneers Records, Box 26... Edison in
Room #16. his 1935 account his years working with Edison, Tate
refers the library Edison’s territory, separate from his own..
183 Alfred Tate, Edison’s Open Door, (New York: E. George Meister, eventually chief paymaster all Edison
industries, began his career with Edison 1903 "Junior Clerk under the
personal supervision Mr.
By this time Edison’s personal staff consisted several secretaries, and the
distinction between personal and confidential secretaries not clear.
Although not know where Tate’s office space was, probably was not the
library with Edison. Edison.at $6.
After Randolph died 1908, Harry Miller became Edison’s primary personal
secretary (see for more Harry Miller.183 Tate also writes that the 1890s, went to
Edison his library the laboratory, where was standing alone near his
desk. His responsibilities included
bookkeeping, monitoring all company business, and managing Edison’s personal
correspondence and finances., 278. describes a
meeting Edison had with Gilliland and his attorney "in his library" which Tate
was not invited attend.P. Dutton, 1935), 171; Tate may also referring
to the library Edison’s home."184
John Randolph.
Photographs depict Randolph attending luncheons and other social gatherings in
the library but, again, the exact location his desk work space unknown." later handled Edison’s personal
correspondence and acted his confidential messenger the New York City and
Newark financial districts.)
George Meister. was financially astute and started the tradition of
controlled access Edison via his private secretary.
1M Ibid
