2018 RETA Breeze May- June

Volume XXIII The Refrigeration Historian

During a recent discussion concerning the new RETA facility being purchased in Albany, Oregon, I had an opportunity to discuss the merits of Norman Register as the “Father of NAPRAE” and the thus the “Grandfather of RETA”. I have nothing against Norman, I would bestow the honor, were it within my power, of one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the organization. However, I believe many overlook the contributions made by J. B. Embrey. J.B. was the original Secretary and Treasurer of the Practical Refrigerating Engineers’ Association. Oh yes, Mr. Sanderson and company got the answer wrong at last year’s trivia contest. However, the given answer was wrong as well. “National” was added later. What many do not know is that at the meeting in 1908 in Shreveport, Louisiana where three engineers decided to hold a meeting to form an organization to remedy “the unfortunate incompetency of many of the operating refrigerating engineers and the di culty of getting together for mutual improvement”, J.B. was there. Not only present, he volunteered to dra the letters which began the uni cation of the Refrigeration Industry. While these letters failed to move engineers to meet in 1909, J.B. did not falter. He continued to send correspondence (hundreds of letters addressed to every refrigeration operating engineer he could nd) and ultimately united enough engineers for the 1910 convention. e rst convention was held in Shreveport, Louisiana and was a

testament to J.B.’s perseverance. In the o cial minutes of the Convention the following appears “Mr. J. B. Embrey, Secretary-Treasurer, was especially honored for his unsel sh devotion to the interests of the new Association, which that gentleman modestly acknowledged.” In a sense, J.B may be considered one of, if not J.B. served as the rst Secretary of the organization, a post he held for three years. Periodically he would also serve as Treasurer. Mr. Embrey was among the 56 men and 1 woman present at the adoption of the new constitution was submitted for approval. It had been dra ed by J. B., Norman Register, and F. H. Ladd. is included the name change to “National Association of Practical Refrigerating Engineers”. More importantly the new constitution established “for the organization of State bodies to be a liated with the National Association and deriving their charters from same….” e Texas organizational Charter was approved before the end of the convention. 1st organization constitution. At the h annual convention a the father, of the RETA Chapter.

In a sense, J.B may be considered one of, if not the father, of the RETA Chapter. At the 1913 convention, Mr. Register noted: “We are going to send a similar token (a gold badge) of remembrance to Mr. Embrey,” he said, “who has served us so faithful for so long a time as Secretary.” e rigors of life had made it impossible for J.B. to attend the convention. Speci cally, a stockholders meeting of the Shreveport Ice and Brewing Company. It may be important to put into perspective J.B.’s next accomplishment. In 1915, the Southern Ice Exchange was holding it’s 26th convention (PREA / NAPRAE / RETA was holding it’s h). e Southern Ice Exchange was an organization of erce businessman who were tempered on Frozen Lakes. eir established business practices were challenged by the new refrigeration industry. eir business changing from an agricultural business (growth during winter followed by a fast Harvest) to an industrial business based upon the utilization of machines. Many times, there were con icts in the organization between the new and the old. Mr. Embrey was chosen to be an ambassador to the 1915 annual meeting of the Southern Ice Exchange. 1917 saw J.B.’s election as President of Louisiana Chapter 1. At the national convention J.B. put forth a motion to “compile useful, timely and valuable information to be included with the

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