2023 RETA Breeze March-April

These conversations were captured in the pages of the Cold Storage and Trade journal the following month. But they provide a valuable insight into how these refrigeration greats interacted. And as to how doggedly Gardner sought facts. In 1908 the Paris-Sorbonne University in Paris, France hosted the first International Conference on Refrigeration. Gardner was there as a delegate representing the government of the United States. He would serve the same post at the following conference in Vienna, Austria. Among those also attending as United States Delegates were: Dr. Mary E. Pennington (“The Ice Queen”) and J. F. Nickerson. Also of note in 1908, Mr. Voorhees brought legal action against the Crescent Ice Company. Originally contracted in 1906, Gardner provided consulting engineering. It appears that the Ice company was having difficulties with a new 200 TR ammonia absorption ice plant. Per Gardener, the president and officers of the company would not follow his advice and because of their delays made the work much more difficult that the contract provided for. Gardener had reached an agreement with the company in 1907, but alleged that the company did “grossly violated their Agreement”. The damages sought amounted to $26,850.00. How- ever, the need to erase the damage to his reputation was also a principal consideration. At the 1909 Convention of the American Society of Refrigeration, the following note can be found in the minutes of the proceedings: “The next subject announced for discussion was some disadvan tages of the Voorhees multiple effect compressor. No one appeared to care to name any disadvantages …” High praise indeed. In 1909 the English Ice organization, The Cold Storage and Ice Association, asked Mr. Voorhees to speak to the attendees of their annual conference on the role, mechanical refrigeration would make on the “cheapening of food”. In this context, the meaning may be stated better today as “Reducing the costs of Food”. He spoke eloquently on the advantages of refrigeration to preserve food thus allowing a larger quantity of the yield to reach market. Ultimately providing more saleable food at only a slight increase in costs. Gardner married Ninette Creitien in 1910. The wedding took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. While their marriage would not produce children, but by all accounts, they were happy and traveled extensively. Mr. Voorhees changed office locations many times during his career. With operations in Boston and Chicago at the height of his career.

Gardner continued to be very active in the industry. On June 23, 1918, he expressed his displeasure with the action, or better said inaction of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers. In a letter to the then president of the organization, Ezra Frick, Gardner called for a presidential investigation as to why the publications committee had delayed publication of a CO2 presentation for 18 months to date. In a reply as blunt as the request, Ezra stated: “Mr. Voorhees’ request be disallowed, the action of the Publication Committee be sustained, and the matter be finally dropped.” In 1921 N.A.P.R.A.E. President Kohler, appointed a subcommittee to develop a study course. Mr. Voorhees was appointed as a member of this committee. This would become the first Study Course for the organization. In 1922 Garner was asked to address the graduating class of the Siebel Institute of Technology, a very prestigious institution.

GARDNERWAS GRANTED A MULTITUDE OF PATENTS:

1893: a fuse Block 1893: a multi-fuse bock 1894: An Arc Rupturing Device 1894: an “insulated covering for refrigeration” 1894: Fluid Tank 1896: a multi-fuse cutout

(editor’s note. Patent information pertaining to Mr. Voorhees from 1897 through 1907, seems to be missing from the archives. It is known that there were several, but specifics have been lost to history). 1908: Concentric-Circular-Cell Ice-Making Apparatus.

1920 Cylinder jacketing and Apparatus

16 RETA.com