2024 Mar-Apr RETA Breeze

before me, because, the profession is dear to me, and it was my thought if... as your president, I could assist any to a better understanding of problems of refrigerat ing engineering it would be a privilege which would indeed be sufficient compen sation in itself. My desire has only been partially realized. It seems that we have only done a small part of what we had planned. This is true in a sense, but after all, much really has been accomplished, and I am glad and thankful for the privilege of having had my share in it. Growth of the Association. The Association has grown in number and influence; it has come to be recognized by the plant owner and manager as an organization destined to wield a powerful influence for good practice in the ice and refrigerating industries. It has taken its place with the other great associations in the refrigerating industries, through its affiliation with the federated organization, known as the American Association of Ice and Refrigeration, representing every interest in the industries. As time goes on, the benefits to be derived from this affiliation will be more apparent than today, as the federated body has only partially completed its organization. Preparing for the Future. Looking outside of association matters and into the broad future, all is most promis ing for the practical refrigerating engineer who is conscientious and takes a pride in his profession. It is reasonable to state that refrigeration is only in its infancy at the present time. It is true, that the art and science of refrigeration have made wonderful strides in the last years; especially during the years of the great war and since, but the growth of the future cannot be comprehended. The world war was the one great factor in bringing to the notice of the nations of the world, the advantages of applying artificial refrigeration to food for preserva tion, whether it be through the medium of cold storage or the direct application of ice. In many countries, such a thing had been practically unheard of before the war; today those countries are taking advan tage of the lessons learned and are erecting, or preparing to erect ice plants

and cold storage houses. While this growth is taking place in foreign lands, it is also a fact that thousands of tons of capacity are being added to that already in existence in our own country, and there never was a brighter outlook for the future. This being so, it behooves each one of us to prepare ourselves for the time when we will be called on to take a more important position in our present plant, or when we are called to take charge of the newly erected plant. The enormous growth of the ice making and refrigerating industries has had few parallels, and it should be gratifying to each and everyone of us to know that we are engaged in a growing profession that constantly demands more and better, men. We must realize, however, that the better men are always in greater demand. To make ourselves better men in our profession it is necessary for us to study as we work. That is exactly the object of the National Association of Practical Refrigerating Engineers to furnish its members with material for study while they work. Join the subordinate associations, men; attend the meetings regularly. If there is not a subordinate association in your vicinity, join the National Association as a member-at large. Become a part of this great movement for the advancement of our profession, and you will be surprised at the personal satisfaction you will experience, and the benefits you will receive. Recognition of Its Value by Employers. It is encouraging to the officers of the Association, to know that its importance is being more and more recognized by the employers, many of whom send their engineers to these meetings and pay all of their expenses. This fact shows the trend of the times. The engineer is coming to be considered as the primary important factor in the operation of the plant. Without proper care, the best of machin ery will not yield its capacity, and in addition to this, the cost of maintenance, occasioned by lack of knowledge on the

engineer’s part will often make operating expenses almost prohibitive. On the other hand, the engineer who takes the trouble to inform himself is often in a position to inaugurate many economies, eliminate much of the necessity for repairs, and likewise increase the capacity of his machines above their rated capacity. These and many others, are possibilities which result from learning. Which of the two engineers is the most valuable to his employer, and, incidentally, which one is the better serving himself and family? The question answers itself. The question is answered for the employer in his increased earnings, and for the engineer in his pay envelope. The employer who will send his engineer to the convention of this Association will also reward him by increasing his salary as he puts into practice things he has learned. The engineer takes back to his plant the advanced ideas of the profession, and he is, therefore, better equipped to cope with emergencies when they may arise, and, as a result he may be able to save his employer hundreds of dollars in increasing the efficiency of the plant and operating conditions. Some apparently insignificant work by a speaker might solve a problem that will result in increasing the tonnage of his plant, and which reflected in the company’s earnings will mean a perma nent income on the investment of the few dollars required to send the engineer to the convention. I will not talk further, as we have a most interesting and instructive program ahead of us, filled to the brim with good things, which we will all enjoy. I am gratified to see this first session so well attended. There are many to be her e from out of the city, who have not arrived as yet, and all indications point to one of the best meetings ever held by the Association. Please make an effort to be prompt in attendance at all sessions, and thus let us show our apprec- iation of the efforts of the gentlemen who have so generously given of their valuable time in preparing papers on the subjects assigned them. Many of them come from long distances, and each is particularly fitted to discuss his subject. The program

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