BLOWN UP BY GERMAN BOMB ASSASSINS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3059, 21 April 1917, Page 6

BLOWN UP BY GERMAN BOMB ASSASSINS

THE FAMOUS BALDWIN WORKS. Ifc is well knoivn that the Baldwin locomotive works in the United States, which were destroyed by a terrific explosion attributed to Gorman bomb assassins, have been for many months past turning out locomotives and munitions for the use of tho Allies' armies, and great jprccaiitions have been taken to guard against any attempts to wreck the works. These works occupy about 16 acres in the heart of Philadelphia, and 184 acres at Eddystone, on the Delaware River, 12 miles below tbo city. Called into existence by the early requirements of the railroad interests of the country, tho Baldwin works have growr. and kept pace with the requirements of the United States, besides supplying locomotives for many other parts of the world. Though tho original works were at Philadelphia, tho expansion of the business was so great that in 1906 ibbecamo necessary to look for a subsidiary site, with the result that the large area at Eddystor.e. was purchased. There extensive foundries and blacksmith shops -were erected, and the old foundry at Philadelphia was rebuilt as an erecting shop, specially equipped for erecting and packing 'foreign locomotives. On January 29, 1907, fire practically destroyed the shop building at fhe comer of Fifteenth and* Spring Garden Streets, but the several departments aSected were at once moved into other quarters, and work was continued with but little delay. In February, 1907, the thirtythousandth locomotive turned, out by ( the Baldwin works was completed. In the last ten years'this total has been added to greatly, and the establishment has never been busier than since entering into so many important contracts with the British, French, • and Russian Governments in connection with the war. These- contracts have included locomotives for France and other theatres of war, as well as munitions. "Die location of t*he' works special facilities and advantages. Proximity to> tho principal coal and iron regions of tho country renders all required materials promptly available. A iargo_permanent population of skilled mechanics, employed in similar "branches in other Philadelphia workshops, gives an abundant force of expert workmen from which to dra?; when required. All parts of Jocomotives And tenders, except the boiler and tank plates, chilled wheels, boiler tubes, mul special patented appliances,' are made in the main "r adjunct works from the raw materials.