Document 2RpZoYKyZpXV090eGQL55Q5V7

FILE NAME: Raybestos-Manhattan (RBM) DATE: 1933 Nov 28 DOC#: RBM074 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meetings of a Meeting Held in Mr. Seigle's Office Attendee List A mooting was held on Tuesday, November 28, 1933 in Mr. Seigle's office at which the following were present:- Dr. Lanza of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Mr. W. R. Seigle, Mr. E. M. Voorhees, Mr. S.A. Williams and Mr. Vandiver Brown. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the suggestion me.de by Mr. Simpson, President of Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., in his letter to Mr. Seigle of November 17, 1933 regarding joint action by members of the tex tile group of the Asbestos Institute looking toward standardized methods of dust control. After considerable discussion it was decided that Johns-Manville Corporation indicate to Mr. Simpson its willingness to go along with his suggestion; that Mr. Simpson should be allowed to arrange for a meeting of the representatives of the textile group and that Mr. S. A. Williams, assisted by Mr. Vandiver Brown, would represent Johns-Manville Corporation in any discussions. Dr. Lanza advised the meeting that he was very much interested in completing the study of the asbestos industry initiated by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company approximately three years ago. The completion of this study would involve a re-examination of the plants covered by the original reports as well as a re-examination of certain employees who had been X-rr.yed at that time. He thought that it was very probable that Metropolitan could, by extending somewhat the scope of its survey in completing this examination, very readily co-operate with the industry in carrying out the suggestions made by Mr. Simpson. Dr. Lanza was advised that the contemplated program on the part of the industry would involve Jolins-Manville Corporation plants at Waukegan, Illinois; Gretna, Louisiana; Pittsburg, California and Redwood City, California, in addition to the plant at Manville, New Jersey and the mines at Asbestos, Quebec, which had been covered by the original Metropolitan report. Dr. Lanza stated that he would prepare a report for Mr. Ecker, President of Metropolitan, recommending the completion of the survey ctf the asbestos industry and indicating the extent to which it had been enlarged in scope and the probable expense involved. It was thought it might be helpful if Mr. Wardwell would communicate with Mr. Ecker about the time Dr. Lanza's report would be submitted to him, with the view of informing him of the Importance to the industry and to Jolins-Manville Corporation of the contemplated survey. It was decided that nothing would be done towards having Mr. Cardwell communicate with Mir. Ecker until we should be advised by Dr. Lanza that such action was desirable and timely. Dr. Lanza indicated that if the survey should be approved, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company could be counted upon for the following: (1) Talcing of dust counts at the various plants. (2) X-ray examination of employees. * r- (3) Recommendations as to (a) where it was desirable that steps be taken to eliminate dust and (b) as to equipment which might be useful in eliminating the dust. (4) The training of one of our employees in the technique of the taking of dust counts. It was suggested that Dr. Miller be trained in this line. Dr. Lanza pointed out that the industry would be expected to pay the traveling expenses of the Metropolitan employees although the persons engaged in this work would still be employees of Metropolitan and on its payroll so that no charge for their services as such would have to be paid. / In regard to (3) (b) above it was thought that it might be desir- / able to have some dust engineer collaborate with the representative of the [ Metropolitan and this point was left for the decision of the representatives I of the textile group of the Asbestos Institute which would be convened by \ Mr. Simpson. It was also decided that Mr. Williams would advise the first 1 meeting of this group as to the extent it might rely .upon the co-operation of Metropolitan. Mr. Voorhees asked Dr. Lanza if he thought the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company would be willing to make dust- counts at the various plants once or twice a year at such places and under such conditions as they might see fit for the purpose of determining progress made in improving dust conditions, Mr. Voorhees' idea being that unbiased reports of this character would be helpful to us, if favorable, in the event we should everbe in volved in litigation. Dr. Lanza, however, was apparently of the opinion that such periodical reports would not quite come within the province cf the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and were matters for which we should preferably engage consultant engineers such as Saranac Laboratories. No final decision was made on this point but toward the end of the discussion it was the consensus that perhaps we would be better off if we had some ex pert in our own organization capable of taking dust counts at any time we thought it desirable and it was suggested that Dr. Miller be trained in this capacity. -- ----- -