Document 06pjOKayyBpNa9RVj4wNNZvGJ

TELEPHONE NATIONAL 2588 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc (POUNDED 1872) 246 Woodward Building Washington 5, D. C MINUTES OF MEETING PLASTICS COMMITTEE February 7, 1951 Mayflower Hotel, Washington. D.C. PRESENT: D. C. Frederick W. S. Landes E. D. Ries J. R. Hoover M. G. Milliken F. A. Abbiati J. L. Rodgers, Jr. F. H. Carman Harry Krehbiel Leo L. Beck T. C. Keeling, Jr, R. K. Mueller John McMurphy Sam L. Brous F. S. Swackhamer The meeting was called to order at 11:30 A.M. with Dr. D. S. Frederick in the Chair. The minutes of the meeting of January 10, 1951 were approved without reading. TECHNICAL DATA BOOK The Technical Subcommittee in meeting of January 31 had considered the need for a revised edition of the Technical Data Book. This Subcommittee concluded that the book is an accepted authority in the trade and that a reissue bringing it up to date would be highly desirable. In discussion. Chairman Frederick pointed out that: (l) much of the data in the May, 1948 issue was obtained in 1947; (2) there were some new materials now available; (3) some deletions were necessary; (4) possibly new data should be added for certain specific materials; (5) in some cases no changes would be required. On the question of the practi cability of issuing a supplement to take care of revisions, it was pointed out that this was found impractical at the time the 1948 edition was issued and that the Technical Subcommittee was unanimously opposed to issuance of a supplement rather than a revision of the book. Also, it was extremely doubtful that there would be any substantial saving in cost by such procedure. Following discussion of a policy that could be adopted by the Association, it was the consensus that the Plastics Committee could not recommend any defi nite one at this time but that a communication should be forwarded to the mem bership giving all pertinent details with respect to the last issue on distri bution and cost with the request that the membership consult with their sales and technical staff on the need for a revision. It was understood that some estimate should be made on the probable cost of republication with a distribu tion policy about the same as the last edition; and a request for a statement on members' position regarding financial support of the publication in event the Plastics Group would tak care of the total cost. It was the understanding that this subject will then be considered in the next Group meeting of the materials manufacturers. CMA078113 * Plastics Committee Meeting - 2- February 7, 1951 PLASTICS RESEARCH PROJECT The Technical Subcommittee had also considered the progress on the Research Project now being supported by eight industry members. The Chairman pointed out that financing of the Project probably would be up for consideration within the next five months since funds had been supplied only for the year ending June 30, 1951. Following brief discussion of this activity, members were ad vised that the Technical Subcommittee had undertaken to provide a brief and factual report on the progress to date for use of the executives and a pub licity release on the research if found appropriate. WHEREUPON, a recess was taken at twelve noon, at which time Messrs. Joseph Bates and R. P. Kenney of the N.P.A. Chemicals Division joined the group for luncheon. At conclusion of luncheon, the Chairman invited open discussion of N.P.A. and industry problems with respect to the mobilization program. The dis cussion included comments on status of the defense departments' require ments, the critical position of a number of chemicals, the probable allo cation policy that would be used, the steps that industry should take in cooperating with N.P.A. in an emergency with respect to supply of a given material, amortization problems, and the personnel needs in the several agencies. The Plastics Committee meeting reconvened at 2:30 P.M. RESIN ADHESIVES GROUP The adhesives manufacturers have recommended formation of a technical sub committee of three members and this has been referred to the Board for appro priate action. This recommendation had been made because members were of the opinion that several military specifications should be studied by the technical group and that there would be continuing need for industry action of a techni cal nature on mobilization problems. Also, Mr. Louis Klein of Rohm & Haas Co. had been suggested as a new member of the Resin Adhesives Committee. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE The Association Traffic Committee in a recent meeting gave authorization to its Plastics Subcommittee to enable its chairman to appear on behalf of said Subcommittee on matters of importance to the plastics industry. SAFETY The Association Safety Committee recently held a meeting in St, Louis at which time the suggestions for an industry-wide safety symposium were care fully considered. It was the consensus of this group that such a symposium was not justified in view of the many other safety activities and demands on the time of personnel interested. ;\ .*7 ` , * <*. CMA078114  RECIPROCAL TRADE The Association was recently contacted by a spokesman (Congressman Simpson) for the minority of the House Ways and Means Committee for factual information on strategic chemicals on which concessions might be made at Torquay. The Wash ington Office cooperated with the Congressman's office in furnishing pertinent information on this general subject as well as copies of statements that were made at the time of the C.R.I, hearings. The Hew fork Office and the SOCMA were also advised of this request and some pertinent information was forwarded. Congressman Simpson, during the week of January 29, addressed the Full House on the subject of reciprocal trade concessions and the vote was taken on Febru ary 7. (House action on the seventh indicates that the minority group was suc cessful in having their recommendations written into the bill,) MOBILIZATION PROBLEMS Most of the recent actions of the N.P.A. had already been considered with the N.P.A. representatives at luncheon. Members were subsequently advised of the controversy between N.P.A. and industry on pending cutbacks in steel con sumption during the second quarter, the lack of defense orders in many indus tries, and the probable issuance of a general allocation order on chemicals patterned on the M-300 used in W.P.B. The best guess at this time is that further limitations on chlorine will not be issued, although it is possible some steps may be taken to insure that everyone gets at least 90$ of that amount used during a base period. The steps taken by the N.P.A. and industry to obtain additional supplies of benzol appear to be moving forward with a number of proposals to construct or revise facilities for production from petroleum sources. The industry can anticipate issuance of an order similar to L-197 of WPB which prohibits the use of steel drums for certain materials where it is be lieved no hardship will be incurred. The Interstate Commerce Commission recently issued Service Order No. 873 appointing an agent to control tank cars which would permit direction of the distribution of all tank cars without regard to ownership or assignment so as to increase efficiency and economy in the use of such cars during an emergency. The Office of Price Stabilization has established a Rubber, Chemical and Drugs Division now under Acting Director George Strasser. The Chemicals and Drugs Branch will consist of five sections, one to handle plastics and resins. Mr. Strasser was in charge of similar activities in the O.P.A., and was re cently in the N.S.R.B. civilian defense activities. NEXT MEETING It was unanimously agreed that the next meeting should be held in Washington on March 7 at which time representatives of the N.P.A, would be invited to dis cuss problems of importance to the industry. It is the understanding that any executives who happen to be in Washington are welcome to attend this Plastics Committee meeting. (The Plastics Group meeting will be held on March 8 in New York City, Manhattan Club, beginning at 10:30 A.M.) WHEREUPON, adjournment was taken at 3:15 P.M, F. H. Carman/mw Respectfully submitted, 7^/, <- (Is**' Assistant Secretary CMA 078115