The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-08
Charles A. Cofin's Introduction


As announced in the Reporter,
Charles A. Coffin OF New York, was
recently made an honorary member
of the Franklin Institute OF Philadcl-
phia. the oldest scientific institution
in the United States, and the only
one of its unique and interesting
character Samuel insult one OF
the leading citizens OF Chicago, and
u life member of the institute intro
duced Mr.. Coffin in the following
presentation for the honorary mem
bership
1T is a peculiar personal privilege
for me To have the opportunity to
present the gentleman whom the In
stitute proposes To honor,
Gle was born of study New Eng
land stock nearly 80 years ago in
the State of Maine. His early bust
ness career was spent as manu-
facturer in Lynn. Massachusetts. Be
coming Il director OF the Thomson
Houston Electric Company in lSS2.
he was elected its vice president in
1884 and as such was the active head
of the company until he effected its
consolidation with the Edison Gen
eral Electric Company in 1892. Since
then he has been successfully pres
ident' and chairman of tn" General
Electric Company, until his recent
resignation from the latter position,
and is still active in its affairs.
THE development OF the electric
light and power industry has been
influenced to no small extent by the
remarkable foresight and leadership
of your guest of today. without any
special scientific or technical train
ing but with an intuition almost I'M
canny, his recognition Of men OF
great scientific attainment and OF
purely scientific research and the
part they play in industrial develop
ment is signally illustrated in the
General Research Laboratory al
Schenectady, the establishment of
which was made possible by him.
Not alone ds a manufacturer and
as an administrator Of a great indus
trial organization are We indebted TO
him. He was amongst the first to
recognize the desirabilty of bring
ing the use of electric energy TO
every household and every workshop
and large portion of his career has
been devoted 10 the development and
financing OF great electric transpor-
tation companies, local electric light
and power companies and the estab-
lishment Of vast power systems con
yeying electric energy from hydro
electric plants to distant points
where such energy could be made
subservient TO the use OF mankind.
He is many sided man. He has
the highest conception OF the duties
OF citizenship he has the keenest APP
probation of the arts, OF literature
and of nature: he has devoted much
of his time and money to educational
matters; his charities are so catholic
in character that his right hand
hardly knows what his left hand does,
his work during the war in connec-
ton with The Red Cross and as head
Of the Franco-American War Relief
Clearing House would OF itself en-
title him to distinguished recogni-
ton by his fellows. Modest beyond
ordinary conception, DESTROYS of Civ
ing credit at all times To others and
claiming none whatever for himself,
with n loyablcness of character which
endears him to his friends, and hav-
ing IL vision, courage and Construc-
tive ability si@nally contributing to
the upbuilding of electrical and other
industries it affords me the great
est pleasure to introduce the guest
whom you propose 10 honor Mr..
Charles A. Coffin