RES History - January - March 1975

RES News - Rochester History

A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society. 1897 - 1975 by Lee M. Loomis

Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War", into and through the “Great Depression”, continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression”, the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, focus and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. World War, again affected the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history, and the Vietnam War has recently become a focal point. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.

“The Rochester Engineer” (January 1975) Certainly not a “first look” at the problem, this issue featured the reprint (Science magazine, 1972) of an article, “Careers in Science and Engineering for Black Americans”, by Adolph Y. Wilburn, Associate VP for Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin. It provided an in-depth review of the circumstances and statistics of that time that had resulted in racial and ethnic minorities (16% of the US population), accounting for only 7% of higher education enrollment and just 5% of the annual output of baccalaureate degrees. The article decried the pervasive economic discrimination that was keeping minority students from becoming aware of, becoming prepared for, and gaining access to careers in engineering and science. Aiming at the root of the problem, it recommended that a national effort be undertaken to ensure that ethnic minorities be helped to understand enough about the nature of the various aspects of scientific and technical employment to enable those with interest and ability to access these opportunities. It also suggested that current primary and secondary level institutions were not adequately meeting this need. Editor’s note: It would be many years later, but eventually the RES would undertake the support of local/regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs, and also initiate an RES Tutoring Team at a City of Rochester School District elementary school, Dr. Walter Cooper Academy (RCSD School #10). The RES luncheon speakers for January and February 1975 were announced: “The Rochester Section of the NYS Barge Canal”, by Alexander Kopczynski, NYSDOT Regional Director of Transportation, “The Nuclear Alternative”, by Richard E. Kelley, RG&E, Manager of Special Projects, “Matrix Management”, a special “satellite luncheon” at Kodak Park’ s Bldg. #28, by James Littwitz, of Eastman Kodak’s US and Canada Photographic Division.

February 26, 1975 (Board Meeting, Chamber of Commerce) The Board approved two applications for Regular Membership (among them that of John R. Hoff, PE, recently named “RES 1974 Engineer of the Year”). The Board also approved the sale of two Reynolds Metals Company bonds, the proceeds from which would be used to support RES financial commitments for 1974-75. Luncheon Chairman, Albert Curtis, announced that Rochester City Manager, Elisha Freedman, would be the March luncheon speaker and that Robert Flavin, President of the Communications Workers of America, (CWA) Local – 1170, would be the April luncheon speaker. Editor’s note:

In 1975, there would be a six-month strike by Local 1170 of the CWA, against Rochester Telephone Corporation over the issue of wages. Lee Loomis, Chairman of the RES 1975 Engineers Joint Dinner, reported that with attendance above 400, the event was a success. Loomis also reported that in his dinner address, Principal Speaker Richard O. Simpson (a USC - Berkeley Electrical Engineer), Chairman of the recently-formed US Consumer Product Safety Commission had shared that among the myriad of US consumer products being examined by the Commission, the most dangerous was determined to be the bicycle, and the least dangerous was found to be home lapidary equipment.

“The Rochester Engineer” (February 1975) In an article, “Of Superships and Oil”, RES Executive Director, Edwin F. Stevens, reviews Noel Mostert’s new book, “Superships”, inspired by the 1967 rupture of the Torrey Canyon that spilled 80,000 gallons of crude oil into the English Channel. The book decries the increasing worldwide hazards posed by large supertankers, as well as spills from off-shore drilling rigs, along the World’s coastlines. In his critique, Stevens elaborated on the recent (1967) formation of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) which, by 1974, controled 85% of the World’s crude oil production, and its influence on World petroleum prices and markets. In another article, “TRIAGE…Who Shall be Fed? Who Shall Starve?”, by Wade Greene, 1975 NY Times (reprinted by permission), the author describes the method by which the US, the World’s largest producer of food, distributes its surpluses of its agricultural products. In summary, he expressed concern for the current lack of inspiration to apply morality, and technology, to finding solutions to the World’s lack of sufficient food supplies.

March 19, 1975 (Board Meeting, Chamber of Commerce) The Board approved three new applications for Regular Membership and one for Associate Membership. Lee Loomis agreed to continue as Chairman of the Engineers’ Joint Dinner for 1976. The Nominating Committee presented a slate of RES Officers for 197576 including: John F. Schickler (Rochester Products) – President, M. John Corson (RG&E) – First Vice President, George G. Landberg (Mixing Equipment Company) – Second Vice President, Howard R. Jaquith (Taylor Instrument Companies), Arthur W. Schuster (A.W. Schuster Company) – Director, and James Sterlace (Stromberg Carlson Company) – Director.

Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry, and the ensuing prosperity of the second-half of the 20th Century.

We welcome your questions and comments on this series.

Lee M. Loomis