The NYPR Archive Collections
Niagara Falls Power Project Opening Ceremonies
This recording marks the first flow of energy to come from the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station. After performances from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, reporter Eddie Joseph describes the event to WNYC listeners before the proceedings get underway.
President Kennedy and ex-Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Hoover provide prerecorded messages, before a speech by Commissioner Robert Moses.
Walter S. Johnson, chairman of Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, State Senator Earl Brydges, and the Niagara University President all give brief speeches, before Governor Rockefeller gives a speech of his own and flips the switch on the generator for the first time. An announcer describes the functioning of the dam.
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performs the debut of the "Niagara Falls Suite," conducted by its composer, Ferde Grofe.
The program begins with a performance of Pomp and Circumstance.
Eddie Joseph of WHLD is broadcsating from the student center of Niagara University. He tells us that we are listening to the 81 pieece Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Winston. The ceremony is marking the first power from the Niagara Power Dam. It has been proclaimed "power for progress" week at Niagara falls. He describes the ceremonies to come. He tells us that over 4,000 are in attendance.
Jacque A. Cunningham, Lt. Colonel of the US Army is with Joseph at the microphone. Cunningham describes the events and the two-day preparation involved. Cunningham describes the computer that monitors the output of the Robert Moses Dam. The governor (Rockefeller) will pull the dam that afternoon.
State Senator Earl Brydges speaks with Joseph briefly. Joseph fills time while the program gets closer to starting.
Joseph gets Robert Moses to speak with him briefly, followed by Governor Rockefeller. Both speak in platitudes.
Joseph describes the Niagara Falls Suite, special commissioned for the event, written by Ferde Grofe. Joseph reads a description of the Suite. The first movement Thunder of the Waters recalls the original Native American name, the second, Devils' Hole Massacre, recalls a famous battle that occurred there, the third is called the Honeymooners, and the fourth and final, Power of Niagara, recounts the efforts to build the dam.
The program begins with the National Anthem of the United States, then an invocation from the Bishop of Buffalo, Joseph A. Burke.
Moses introduces prerecorded speeches. The first is from President Kennedy. Kennedy sends his regrets and describes the public and private cooperation that provides low-priced power. He mentions the 1953 treaty with Canada that led to the dam.
Eisenhower provides another prerecorded speech. He mentions the controversies that stalled the project. He provided Moses the pen with which he signed the bill that led to the dam.
Truman offers another prerecorded message. He described a 1950 bill that helped lead to the Niagara dam. They saw to it that the beauty of the area was preserved.
Herbert Hoover also recorded a message. He recalls that the potential of a dam at Niagara has been a thought since Edison. He talks about the necessity for international agreement. Hoover chaired a commission that helped lead to a treaty. He describes other events that led to the dam.
Moses describes the regional planning that went into creating the power dam. He complains about the various impediments that stood in his way. He talks about how the dam will serve the area. He speaks for the people who worked on the dam. He presents the President of Niagara University,
The Niagara University President addresses the crowd. He is thankful that commissioner Moses asked for the University's participation. He praises the power plant and Robert Moses.
Moses describes the series of toll bridges that have spanned the falls. There will be a new bridge, the result of a collaboration between Canada and the United States. He presents Walter S. Johnson, chairman of Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.
Johnson is please to join the event, another step in the ultimate conclusion that will mean much to the area. The bridge is a part of it. He hopes that industries will seek out the area because of the power brought by the dam and the bridge.
Moses calls to the stage senator Earl Brydges.
Brydges addresses the crowd. He describes a speech from a former mayor recanting an earlier part of a speech as it was happening. He quotes an unknown "Perisan" poet about the event. He salutes the power authority and those involved in making the power dam.
He talks about problems that disquiet him. Many able-bodied workers are unable to work at the facilities and the disruption of the communities need to be addressed. He does not wish to detract from the event however and continues to praise it.
Moses talks about the partnership between the New York and Ontario Power Authorities. He introduces James Stewart Duncan, his Canadian counterpart.
Duncan gives Moses his congratulations. He talks about Governor Rockefeller's contributions to the project. He notes the dam is the largest in North America today. Duncan talks about a trip to the Soviet Union and visiting a dam there. He expresses his pleasure at working with Moses on the dam. He reads from the cornerstone to the project. He alludes to the countries uncommitted to democracy or communism.
Moses talks about Governor Smiths and Governor Whitman's different approaches to the provision of power. Smith switched eventually to a public/private authority. He goes into the history of the development of the power authority. He speaks in praise of Governor Rockefeller.
Rockefeller thanks the attendees, speakers, and performers. He talks about the lack of people with Moses' drive to complete the tasks ahead of him. He notes the day's first delivery of power from the dam. He describes the power of the dam and its "bright new future." He thanks the engineers involved in building the dam as well as Robert Moses, for his ability to get things done.
He talks about acquiring the land for the dam and the legislation involved in getting the dam off the ground. He talks about the enhancement to the area the dam will bring.
There is a pause for network, the Northeast Radio Network, and station, WNYC, identification.
Joseph and Cunningham describe Rockefeller throwing the switch on the generator.
An announcer directs the attendees attention to a diorama that describes the functioning of the dam, which he also describes.
Moses announces the performance of the Niagara Falls Suite, and presents its composer and conductor, Ferde Grofe, with a silver baton.
The Buffalo Philharmonic performs the suite.
Bishop Joseph A. Burke provides the benediction.
The Buffalo Philharmonic performs "God Save the Queen."
An announcer recaps the event, brought to the air by Eddie Joseph and colonel Jacque Cunningham, for WHLD, WNYC, and the Northeast Radio Network.
A WNYC announcer explains why regularly scheduled programming was preempted for the event.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150450
Municipal archives id: LT9174