Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-29
THIS CITY FIRST IN
GREAT WATER POWER
DEVELOPMENT WORK
Announcement Concerning
Cramp Notes Directs At
tention to Firms Change of
Policy in Engine Construc-
ton.

pany mas attracted dIleHtloil W ti'S
affairs of this company, which have been
handled in such manner as to be able
to meet its notes in advance.
When william Cramp early in the last
century founded the famous shipyard
which still bears his name, he apparently
had dreams of mighty armaments to be
constructed and with what pride they
would carry the American flag to all parts
of the world and thunder forth tons of
steel in defense of 1t, IL necessary. His
vision came true IN more than one way,
for the Cramp-built ships were the
Cracks" of the American Navy, and at
Manila and Santiago poured forth their
bolts in fulalment of the vision.
with the dawn of new century, how
ever, the successors of this great mind
realized that the wonderful opportunity
of the business man of America, was not
in the building of engines of destruction,
but those of development; and few peo-
pie in Philadelphia know that the VIM.
Cramp G. Sons Ship and Engine Building
Company is one of the foremost design
ers of hydraulic turbines for the develop
nleHI Ol WdleT pu"eT III Tie WI
industry which is being exploited by the
comparatively newer form OF investment
known as Public Utility.
The first effort of private enterprise to
develop the. water power OF this country
to make it a salable commodity was
made in 1890, at Niagara Falls, where
a company known as the Niagara Falls
Power Company began work on hydro
electric generating station, which was to
exceed in size and Importance any which,
UP to that time, had been constructed.
either in the United States or Europe.
When IL is remembered that up to this
time a turbine of greater capacity than
1000 horsepower had never been construct
ed and this effort called for 10 units of
1900 horsepower each, it is not surprising
that the venture created quite a little in
terest. 1t Is not generally known that II
was our own Philadelphia concern which
was awarded this contract and carried 1t
out to successful completion.
NIAGARA FALLS PLANT.
Success of this venture advertised the
possibilities of this kind of endeavor to
the moneyed interests throughout the
country, and with. their usual celerity
they seized the opportunity with avidty.
The first important work attempted, after
it was thoroughly demonstrated that this
was a safe field for private investment.
was the Canadian Power Company, which
in 1900 at Niagara Falls constructed a
plant which, although only two units were
planned, yet each one called for n ca
pacity of 10000 horsepower. The Cana
dans followed up this effort with the
construction of larger plants capable of
delivering 1850 horsepower,
BY this time investors nrc quite ia
yHvitI Of
dealers had no hesitancy in offering them,
and, as result, water power sites
throughout this country and Canada were
eagerly sought.
The most important of these have been
the Huronian Company. Ontario, 1850
horsepower; West Kootenay Power and
Light Company, British Columbia, l6, 900
horsepower; Toronto Power Company,
$1,000 horsepower st. Lawrence River
Power Company, New York, 5000 horse
power: McCalrs Ferry Power Company
uater the Pennsylvania Water and Power
Company, McCalls Ferry, Pa, $1,000
horsepower; Central Colorado Power
Company, Glenwood, Col, 1900 horse
power; Great Western Power Company.
California, 72,OO0 horsepower; Washington
Power Company Spokane, Wash, 81, coo
horsepower; Tennessee Power Company, |
10000 horsepower. and the Appalachian |
Power Company Virginia, $1,000 horse |
power.
These are just few of a great many
corporations which extend from Alaska !
to Porto Rico and from New York to
British Columbia and the figures mem
toned above are merely the initial in
stallations. Since that time a great many !
OF them have doubled their capacity.
The most recent developments have |
been the Mississippi River Power Com !
pany at Keokuk, Iowa, which has Il |
units of 10000 horsepower each. and
which is the largest plant of its kind in
the world, and the Cedar Rapids Manu- /
featuring and Power Company at Mon
treal, which has nine units capable of
delivering l0,s0O horsepower each, which
Is the largest turbine in the world this
company being the greatest development
OF its kind in Canada,
TURBINES ARE BUILT HERE
As a matter of information it may be
stated that 80 per cent, of the impor-
tant turbines installed by the various
companies on this continent We're con-
structed by the 1. p. Morris Company.
which is the department OF Cramps that
constructs this form Of machinery.
Philadelphia capitalists were among the
hrst TO recognize this field of activity as
a probable use on funds, and perhaps
the companies in which Phiadelphians
are interested are as well known II not
better, than any of the others. Their
efforts have been usually confined TO
the environs of our own country, where
the possibilities are almost unlimited
Meanwhile, the investor is becoming
more and more familiar with this form
of security, and the bankers managing
the properties experience very little diff
hculty I'm disposing Of their wares
William Cramp, II he could come back
TO this mundane sphere now, with the
greater part of Europe engaged in bloody
strife, would no doubt fully expect to
nnd the great plant which bears his name
ousily and exclusively engaged in the
building of ships OF war What would
be hIs surprise 10 ind that the activities
OF the plant We're largely engaged IN the
construction Of mighty engines of peace
and Industry And while the apostles OF
conservation are busy urging the passing
ot laws TO restrict the use OF our natural
resources, II Is interesting to note that
Canada which has been Jealous to guard
and foster its infant industries, was quick
10 perceive the opportunity offered und
perhaps as a result Is a bit In advance
of us In this particular Industry OF de-
'elopinG water power.
Needless TO state II would be far better
70 nave our resources developed along in
-elligent lines, where the risk Is borne by
ne promoter and investor than 70 allow
40 FHHHNn HnHa aHaaH.N 4.