Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier
writings on behalf of the RES

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, purpose 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” (September 1971)

This issue announced the cancelation of the Fall 1971 “Info Expo”, due to disappointing sales of booth space (the primary source of revenue for the event), probably due to the current nationwide, post-war economic downturn. Plans were announced to re-establish this event as an integral part of the observance of the Society’s 75th Anniversary, in early 1972. The RES announced a permanent change in the printing of The Rochester Engineer to adopt the use of 100% recycled paper, produced from STA (second time around) pulp that still contained inks and resins and clays from their prior uses. The pulp and paper industry was fond of saying that, “a ton of paper, recycled, is 17 trees saved.”

October 6, 1971 (Board Meeting, Bausch & Lomb)

The Board approved three new applications; one Regular, one Junior and one Student. The Board heard the final report of the Interim Plan Subcommittee for “Operation RESOURCE”. The Board reviewed the plan and the proposal for its issuance to the public. RES 1st Vice President, Edwin Anthony announced that he had just been appointed to the Genesee Expressway Advisory Committee, recently established by the Monroe County Department of Public Works. He suggested that the RES, in light of its recent activities in the area of Solid Waste Management, might eventually be asked for input on issues Regional Transportation and Air Pollution. RES Director, John Schickler, reported that he would be following up on over 100 letters that were sent to local small businesses, offering them the opportunity for editorial space in The Rochester Engineer, in exchange for advertising contracts in the magazine. It was reported that the RES Luncheon program schedule had been completed, through the Fall, and that three short RES Evening Courses had been schedule for October and November.

October 11, 1971 (Special Board Meeting, RES Offices)

The Board unanimously approved the ”Operation RESOURCE” Interim Plan Subcommittee’s Final Report, and urged that it be publicized as a statement of the Society’s position for the interim disposal of municipal solid waste, until such time as the Task Force’s final report and recommendations are issued and implemented.

“The Rochester Engineer” (October 1971)

As the final segment in this long-running series of articles on the RES Affiliates, this issue celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Rochester Section,

Illuminating Engineering Society. Formed in 1947, with an initial 34 members, the Rochester Section had grown to nearly 100 members, including five corporate sustaining members. The National Society, with more than 10,000 members, in some 100 Sections, sponsored meetings, seminars and presentations on the rapidly developing technologies in the field of indoor and outdoor lighting. The October RES Luncheon Series was announced; “How Deep the Freeze? - When the Thaw?”, by Frank E. Holley, Marine Midland Bank, “Urban Renewal in the Southeast Loop Area”, by Michael Houseknecht, City of Rochester Department of Urban Renewal, “The SOFLENS Story”, by William F. Coombs, Bausch & Lomb, and “The Port of Rochester”, by William A. Carr, Director of the Port of Rochester. Three short RES Evening Courses were announced, in cooperation with the NY State School of Industrial and Labor Relations of Cornell University; “Technology and Citizenship”, by Dr. Christopher Lindley, a current City Council Candidate, “Interpersonal Relations”, by Richard A. Wetzel, Xerox Corporation, and “Organizational Behavior”, Dr. Forrest W. Fryer, Xerox Corporation. In a special message to unemployed engineers, the RES invited unemployed engineers to complete a form that registered them for a re-orientation program to qualify them for re-employment in a different engineering discipline. If response was sufficient, the RES would proceed to initiate such a program in the greater Rochester area, at no cost to those enrolling.

November 3, 1971 (Board Meeting, Bausch & Lomb)

The Board approved the Affiliate membership application of the Rochester Chapter, American Institute of Plant Engineers. One additional Regular Membership was also approved. RES Director, John Schickler, announced the rescheduling of “Info Expo” (postponed from November 1971) to April 27 – 29, 1972. Led by a larger, more “connected” committee, the three-day event would include exhibits, seminar programs and an RES 75th Anniversary Dinner. Edwin Anthony reported that there would be a delay in presenting the final report for “Operation RESOURCE”, due to difficulties in reaching total agreement on the findings of some of the sub-committees. RES Director, Roger Kober reported that RES Luncheon meeting attendance had been disappointing, and he was recommending that, instead of weekly, they be schedule on alternate weeks. The Board approved this change in scheduling, beginning in January of 1972.

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 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.

We welcome your questions and comments on this series.