Letter, James Gleason to Gleason Tool Co.
A letter from James Gleason to “Gentlemen” at the Gleason Tool Co. Jim reports on his trip to the prominent manufactures of San Francisco and expresses his belief that due to the age of the machines in use and the shipbuilding boom that is creating a higher demand for production, Gleason machines could be sold to these companies. He suggests a pair of agents for San Francisco sales.
[page 1]
Commercial Hotel
Corner
Montgomery Ave.
& Kearny St.
Edward Holland Proprietor
San Francisco. Cal.
Feb. 17, 1892
Gleason Tool Co.
Rochester N.Y.
Gentlemen;
As instructed by
you I have visited the principal
shops in San Francisco including
The Union Iron Wks, The Risdon
Iron Wks, Pacific Iron Wks,
San Francisco Tool Co, Phoenix
Iron Wks, Golden State and Miners
Iron Wks, also the Southern Pacific
R.R. Shops in Sacramento. I find
a large field for our tools on this
coast in simply replacing the ancient
machines now in use. With the ship
building interests growing as they are
[page 2]
2.
the present plant of the Union Iron Wks.
one of the finest in the country will have
to be extended requiring more machine
tools. I have made myself thoroughly
acquainted with the Firm of Rix and
Birrell and can say that they are
thoroughly well known to the trade here
and have a reputation and influence
second to no agents on the coast. Both
Mr Rix and Mr Birrell are practical men
well able to handle any questions that
might come up on the machinery shipped
here. They handle first class machinery
with the exception of the Peas planer
which seems to have a place in this
market. In any case the Peas planer
(over)
[page 3]
3.
or the Muller lathe which they handle
will not conflict with us. You have
sent Rix & Birrell our price list and
they have our best discount of 10% off
for themselves. If you consider that we
could afford to give any better prices on
the first machines introduced here in
consideration of the extra labor of
introducing them I would most strongly
recommend that Rix and Birrell be
given the advantage as I know you
will give them the inside track in
consideration of the above report.
Very truly
James E. Gleason
P.S. Rix & Birrell this day quote the Union
Iron Wks and one 42” Gear Planer complete
$1425 F.O.B. San Francisco subject to
sixty days trial.