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.

q Sons Ship and Engine Building Com
pany has attracted attention to the
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, II necessary. His
vision came true in more than one way
for the Cramp-bullt 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 a 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 &c Sons Ship and Engine Building
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
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 a 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 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 a little in
terest 1t is not generally known that 1t
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
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
plant which, although only two units were
planned, yet each one called for a ca
pacty 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
miliar with this form of security, and |
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, l065O |
Light Company, British Columbia. 16, 900 |
horsepower; Toronto Power Company,
2,OO0 horsepower; st. Lawrence River
Power Company, New York. 1900 horse
power; McCal's Ferry Power Company
Cater the Pennsylvania Water and Power
Company. McCalrs Ferry. Pa, $1,000
Central Colorado Power
Company, Glenwood. Col. 1900 horse
power; Great Western Power Company.
California, 1900 horsepower; Washington
Power Company. Spokane, Wash, 36, COO
horsepower; Tennessee Power Company,
,O'OOO horsepower. and the Appalachian
Power Company Virginia, $1,000 horse
power.
These are Just a few of a great many
corporations which extend from Alaska
o Porto Rico and from New York to
srltlsh Columbia, and the figures men
Toned above are merely the initial in
valuations. Since that time a great many
II them have doubled their capacity.
The most recent developments have
'een the Mississippi River Power Com
oany at Keokuk Iowa, which has Il
Inits OF 10000 horsepower each and
which is the largest plant of its kind in
he world. and the Cedar Rapids Manu-
acturing and Power Company at Mon
real, which has nine units capable OF
delivering 1880 horsepower each. which
the largest turbine in the world, this :
ompany being the greatest DEVELOPMENT
4 its kind In Canada.
TURBINES ARE BUILT HERE. :
AS matter OF information It may be ]
tated that so per cent. OF the impor- /
ant turbines installed by the various =
on this continent We're con- ?
tructed by the l. p. Morris Company, 4
mich is the department of Cramps that >
onstructs this form Of machinery. y
Philadelphia capitalists were among the q
rst TO recognize this field OF activity as
probable use on funds, and perhaps
10 companies In which Phiadelphians
re interested are as we'll known, II not y
stter, than any of the others Their :
rorts have been usually confined TO
10 enyirons OF our own country, where a
ie possibilities are almost unlimited G.
eanwhile, the investor Is becoming 3.
ore and more familiar with this form n,
security, and the bankers managing D.
e properties experience very little diff 2
,ulty In disposing of their wares. a
William Cramp. II he could come back a,
this mundane sphere now, with the In
eater part OF Europe engaged I'm bloody By
rife, would no doubt fully expect 10 81
I'd the great plant which bears his name q
isily and exclusively engaged in the ns
lllding or ships OF war, What would "
his surprise to find that the activities q
the plant were largely engaged In the
Instruction Of mighty engines of peace
ID Industry And while the apostles OF p,
nservation are busy urging the passing 81
laws TO restrict the use OF our natural d.
sources Il Is interesting 10 note that W
nads. which has been Jealous to guard ",
d foster its infant industries, was quick pc
perceive the opportunity offered and
rhaps as result Is a bit In advance ~
us In this particular Industry OF de- ~
loping water power az
Needless to state il would be far better -