Again At Work

THE HUNGARIAN ELECTRICIAN WILL NOT GIVE UP.

HIS ESTIMATE OF LOSS

IT CANNOT BE CALCULATED IN DOLLARS AND CENTS.

SYMPATHY OF FRIENDS

The Electrical Inventor Has Lost no Time and is Already at Work Reproducing the Plans for the Various Devices Destroyed by the Fire.

Special dispatch to the Democrat and Chronicle.

New York, March 14. — Nikola Tesla, the electrician, whose work rooms and apparatus were destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning, was at work again to-day. Although not yet recovered from the shock occasioned by his loss, he spent several hours in drawing up the plans of a new invention. When seen at his apartment in the Gerlach hotel, Mr. Tesla was walking nervously up and down his room, dictating to a type writer.

“Yes, I am at work again,” said he, in reply to the reporter’s question. “I have already begun work on a new set of plans. I shall now be obliged to work doubly hard to make up for the most unfortunate loss I have sustained.”

When asked if he could give an estimate of his loss, Mr. Tesla said:

“No, that would be very difficult. In a case like this the loss cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. If it could be, I might say that $1,000,000 would not pay for what has been destroyed.”

“But you will doubtless be able to replace everything in time,” said the reporter.

“I don’t know,” replied the inventor, wearily; “some things can never be replaced. A painter may have commenced a masterpiece which is destroyed while in process of completion. In that case the painter may begin all over again, inspired by his misfortune, as is sometimes the case. Nerved up by his loss, he may produce another masterpiece which will make him famous. In the case of an inventor it is different. When, at one blow all his apparatus, his machinery, the work of months of careful study are swept away it is no easy matter to replace the loss. As I said before, I can give no estimate of my loss, as most persons would reckon it. A man may spend $100,000 in fitting out a laboratory, which another man would not give $10,000 for.

“Some of my models,” he continued, “were boxed up ready for shipment. There were a few which had already been sent away. The larger part of my work, however, was a total loss. I did not insure it, as no insurance could cover its true value.”

Mr. Tesla said that his electrical apparatus, with which he hoped to improve the electric light, had been destroyed with the rest. There were also other half completed inventions of which he did not care to speak.

“All of my friends have been very kind to me,” said he. “I have received a letter from Mr. Edison, offering me the use of his workshops in which to continue my experiments. He has shown me the greatest kindness and consideration. I do not think, however, that I will accept the offer. I shall, probably, within a short time, secure other quarters in the city and begin my work anew. I have not as yet recovered sufficiently from the shock of my loss to make any definite plans.”

It is estimated that Mr. Tesla’s loss, aside from the contingent damage, will amount to between $50,000 and $100,000, as much valuable apparatus and complicated machinery was destroyed.