AMFORP em Porto Alegre (1928-1959) : multinacional norte-americana de eletricidade e o papel do gerente geral J. E. L. Millender

Abstract

This dissertation presents a study of the North American company American & Foreign Power Company Inc. (Amforp), and its subsidiaries in Porto Alegre, Companhia Energia Elétrica Rio Grandense (CEERG) and Companhia Carris Porto Alegrense (Carris). Amforp was responsible for the production and distribution of electric power, and acted in several states in Brazil, including Rio Grande do Sul, in 1928, where remained until the controversial takeover of its subsidiaries by Leonel Brizola s government in 1959. In this sense, the research analyses the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States and how the company has spread worldwide. In addition, the study aims to elucidate the administration of the subsidiaries during the process of Porto Alegre s urban development and transformation. Therefore, it is necessary to give visibility to the general manager of North American J. E. L. Millender, important person in charge of Amforp s subsidiaries in Porto Alegre, who was forgotten for decades. Inspired by the Indiciary Paradigm, the study rebuilds his career and administration, as well as his networks with the political and economic elite of the city, its relations with employees and social networks established throughout the period of performance of the company. Fragments of scattered information, found in Periodicals, such as newspaper and magazines, and testimonies from employees who knew Millender, helped to trace his personality and his way of managing. Over the period analyzed, the evidence underlines that on the one hand, Amforp caused euphoria in local population because of modernity, progress and development. On the other hand, it caused frustration because of few investments and increasing needs of population. This dissatisfaction made most people in the city to support the North American Company s takeover, and over time, the trajectory of American management has fallen into oblivion in the memory of the city.