Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-24
EDISON COMPA
UNDER NEW HEAD
PRESIDENT OF S. C. BRANCH
MAKES APPOINTMENT
w. A. BRAcKENRlDGE SELECTED
AS GENERAL MANAGER
Official Has National Reputation as
Hydro-Electric Engineer Achieved
with Niagara Falls Power
Concern

President John B. Miller made the
announcement yesterday afternoon Of
the appointment of w. A. Breckenridge
as vice president and general manager
of the Southern California Edison COM
pany. Mr.. Breckenridge will take
charge of the general operation of the
business tomorrow morning.
The new management committee Of
the company will consist of John B.
Miller, president; w. A. Breckenridge,
vice president and general manager,
and r. H. Ballard, secretary and as
sistant general manager.
Mr.. Breckenridge arrived in Southern
California a few days ago. His official
connection with the Southern Califor-
mia Edison company will take effect
October %.
Mr.. Brackenridge's national reputa-
tion as a hydro-electric engineer has
been largely achieved by his connection
with the Niagara Falls Power company.
In 1904 he was appointed a member OF
the advisory board of consulting en-
gineers for the improving of state
canals of New York.
Mr.. Breckenridge entered college
when II years old. He began his life
work as an engineer on the survey and
construction of the elevated railway
system in New York. During this time
he was employed in the usual sub
ordinate positions in field and office,
covering a period of over three years,
during which time he pursued his en-
gineering studies.
Made Assistant Engineer
On the completion of the rapid transit
system he was engaged as assistant
| engineer, afterWard as resident en-
gineer on the construction of the Lack
awanna railroad from Binghamton to
Buffalo. When this work was COM
4I1o oV9atN1Oun6 tho
veys for a proposed railway from New
York to Boston, but after passing a
year on this work the project was
abandoned. He was employed as prtn-
/ cipal assistant engineer on the elevated
railway system in Brooklyn, N. Y.
From this he went to the Long Island
railroad as first assistant to the chief
engineer.
At the conclusion of his engagement
with the Long Island Railroad COM
pany he went abroad for the purpose of
pursuing his engineering studies and 10
Investigate foreign engineering works,
particularly the water powers In Ger
many, Italy and Switzerland.
About this time the Niagara Falls
Power company was investigating the
project for the development of water
power at Niagara Falls, and caused to
be formed what was known as the In
ternational Niagara Falls commission.
While the second plant of the Mia
CARA Falls Power company on the
American side was in course OF con-
struction he was retained as engineer
to prepare plans and advise on en-
gineering features throughout the con-
struction of that plant, which provides
for the development of about 10000
horse power
Given Charge of Niagara Power
| In the capacity of engineer in charge
| of the work he also had charge of the
| opera ting of the first installation of
| machinery made at Niagara and or
| ganized the operating forces. He con-
| tinued in charge of the operation for a
considerable period, after which time
he confined his attention entirely to
engineering work for the Niagara Falls
| Power company and private practice
which at that time had developed to
considerable extent
In 1904 the governor of New York ap-
pointed him a member of the advisory
/ board of consulting engineers for the
Improvement of state canals. The work
is now being conducted under the su-
pervision of the advisory board of con-
sulting engineers.
Mr.. Breckenridge has had charge of
some of the most important pieces of
| engineering constructing in the country.
He has acted as directing or consult
ing engineer for some thirty water
| power development propositions, and
ranks with the greatest hydro-electric
| engineers of the world.