Document 3JRYmwypzg4KjmxZw4Ry3Ywyx

Hovwmber 20, 1936 LeRoy U. Gardner, M. D., Director, The Saranac Labors tory, Saranac Laxe, New Torlc. Daar Or. Gardner: it a seating yesterday attended by certain braxe lining manufacturers, Ur. Simpson and I were able to present to a fairly large group of interested corporations the proposal that one of your dusting chambers be engaged for further experi(vy mentation with asbestos dust. The proposal was very well received and It appears that not less than eight, and perhaps ten or more, corporations will participate in financing these further experiments along the lines discussed when we met with Or. Lanxm and Dr. McConnell a few days ago. Accordingly, you may consider this letter as an authorisation to you to comuencw the contemplated experiments with asbestos dust for the purpose of determining more definitely the causes and effects of asbestosls. It is ay understanding that, among other questions which it is anticipated these experi ments will answer, are the following* (1) That concentration of dust is necessary to produce the fibrosis of the lungs which Is designated as asbestosls. (2) Whether exposure to asbestos dust will produce asbestoels without the existence of previous infection and whether the X-ray changes found in advanced human asbestosla can be reproduced ' in animals without infection. Whether the fibrosis produced by ssbestos is of the progressive type, that is, will the fibrosis increase (once it has started) after exposure to the dust has ceased. 04037063 /? / .7 - 5 -A _* -2- (A) Whether the fibrosis resulting fro exposure to asbestos dust Is occasioned by the silicon con tent of the asbestos or by Its fibrous structure. (5) Whether the presence of "asbestos bodies* has any diagnostic slgnlflcance. It Is also our understanding that these experiments will require approximately three years, which will mean that they will not be concluded until about the end of the year 1939; and that they will cost 15*000 annually, or a total of $15,000. It la our further understanding that the results obtained will be considered the property of those who are advanc ing the required funds, who will determine whether, to what extent and In what manner they shall be made public. In the event it is deemed desirable that the results be made public, the manuscript of your study will be submitted to us for approval prior to publica tlon. I shall appreciate your advising me if the foregoing accurately expresses the proposition you bad in mind. Also, let me Xnow the manner in which you would like to have the funds ad vanced to you. Would you, for example, desire to have 11250 paid quarterly in advance, or Just what arrangement would suit you best? Any method you suggest will be satisfactory. Since the experiments are being underwritten by a rela tively large group, it has bean suggested tlmt, ss a matter of con venience, any communications regarding the work, be addressed to me and I will, where necessary, communicate the contents thereof to Mr. Simpson and the other parties. You will be provided with fund* by either Johns-Jianville Corporation or Raybestos-Manhattan, Incor porated and we or ti.ey will secure from the other parties their ;ru rata contribution. I will advise you later of the names of th# other con tributing parties. I shall appreciate your Informing me at the earliest possible moment whether the arrangement as outlined herein meets with your approtal. Y5:T Sincerely yours, ^ l' *j^cyurt1 7 Vandiver Brown General Attorney 04037064 u'j * ** -1