"A charter has been granted by the Secretary of State to the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation of Ithaca for the manufacture of airships hydroplanes, engines and other articles of similar nature. The new company, which has a capital stock of $400,000, will take over the business of Thomas Brothers' Aeroplane Company and Thomas Aeromotor Company. The directors for the first year named in the incorporation papers are Frank L. Morse, William T. Thomas and Jerome A. Fried, all of Ithaca.
...The manufacture of airplanes will be continued at the Thomas Brothers' plant in Brindley street. It is the intention of the company to manufacture its aeromotors at the plant of the Morse Chain Company.
'After a through investigation,' said Mr. Morse, 'Became convinced that the aeroplane business has a brilliant future. The Thomas Brothers Company needed more capital to develop its business and that is the reason why I entered the company...."

"New Aeroplane and Motor Co. Given Charter," Ithaca Journal, February 2, 1917, 3.