He did want cost-free electricity; it was Morgan who asked for a meter in order to continue funding Tesla. It was most likely due to this, the funding ceased around Wardenclyffe, combined with the fact that Morgan expected it to be similar to Marconi's ideas, when it actually was about transmitting the wireless energy. Westinghouse eventually signed off Tesla's patents to Morgan, meaning Tesla made nothing from his inventions, and in so doing Morgan had a monopoly. The Tower worked, and was seen used by nearby residents, but at that point Morgan had preferred Marconi's ideas. Then Tesla was abandoned by him, because it would have been unlimited, post-scarce, and therefore free, in Morgan's eyes a useless invention, in breach of contract too. The plans started in 1901, and any funding ceased by 1906, probably after the money was given to Tesla. Marconi had succeeded by 1901. It was after 1906 that Tesla used his own funds, not after "20 years" of funding. By 1901, prices also increased, and gaining the materials for construction, with inflation, was not within the first grant, with Morgan having a 51% interest on it.