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


due January 1, 1918, of the william Cramp
& Sons Ship and Engine Building Com
pany has attracted attention to the
anairs 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 fulHlment 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.
Sl'hllp :" SOlio Sillp
Company is one of the foremost design
ers of hydraulic turbines for the develop
ment Of water power in the world-an
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
n ka Ia o6itv
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 1t 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
1000 horsepower EACH 1t is not surprising
that the venture created quite little In
terest 1t is not generally known that 1t
was our own Philadelphia concern which
was awarded this contract and carried II
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 avidity.
The first important work attempted, after
1t 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 a 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 ARE quite ia
miIiar with this form of security, and
dealers had no hesitancy In offering them,
and, as a result, water power sites
throughout this country and Canada were
eagerly sought.
The most important of these have been |
the Huronian Company. Ontario 10,650
horsepower; West Kootenay Power and |
Light Company, British Columbia, 1900 |
horsepower; Toronto Power Company. |
80, 200 horsepower; St Lawrence River |
power; McCall's Ferry Power Company |
Qater the Pennsylvania Water and Power |
Company, McCall's Ferry, Pa, $1,000 |
horsepower; Central Colorado Power |
Company, Glenwood Col, 1900 horse
power: Great Western Power Company. |
California, 1900 horsepower; Washington |
Power Company, Spokane, Wash. So OOo !
horsepower; Tennessee Power Company, |
10000 horsepower. and the Appalachian
Power Company Virginia, 5000 horse
power.
These are just a few of a great many
corporations which extend from Alaska
TO Porto Rico and from New York to
British Columbia, and the figures men
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 Is |
units of 1000 horsepower each and
which is the largest plant OF its kind in
the world and the Cedar Rapids Manu-
and Power Company at Mon
treal. which has nine units capable Of
delivering 1880 horsepower each, which
Is the largest turbine in the world. this
being the greatest development
Of its kind in Canada.
TURBINES ARE BUILT HERE.
As matter of information It may be
stated that 81 per cent of the impor-
.ant turbines installed by the various
companies on this continent were con-
structed by the I. p. Morris Company.
which is the department OF Cramps that
this form of machinery.
Philadelphia capitalists were among the
list 10 recognize this field of activity as
probable use on funds, and perhaps
he companies in which Phadelphans
ire interested are as well known, II not |
etter, than any of the others. Their
itorts have been usually confined 10
he cnyirons of our own country, where
he possibilities are almost unlimited !
1eaHwhile, the investor is becoming
lore and more familiar with this form :
+ security, and the bankers managing
he properties experience very little diff
Guilty in disposing Of their wares.
William Cramp. II he could come back
o this mundane sphere now, with the |
reater part OF Europe engaged in bloody
trife, would no doubt fully expect to |
nd the great plant which bears his name
usily and exclusively engaged. I'm the |
uilding OF ships OF war What would |
e has surprise TO tnd that the activities
( the plant We're largely engaged In the
OF mighty engines of peace
nd industry? And while the apostles OF
observation are busy urging the passing
( laws 10 restrict the use OF our natural !
esources, II is interesting to note that
anada, which has been jealous to guard ,
nd foster its infant industries, was quick !
o perceive the opportunity offered ana
erhaps as q result Is a bit in advance
( us I'M this particular Industry OF de- I
clipping water power.
Needless to state it would be far better