Document ExL6md9rVQZDgY69dz0RMODkR

Mar. 17, 195Z (93) MINUTES of the seventeenth meeting of Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc., held at The Union Club, Park Avenue and 69th treet, New York City, on March 11, 1952, at 11:00 a. m. here were present: Messrs. Charles S. Munson George W. Merck Geo. B. Beitzel W. M. Billing F. J. Emmerich J.'W. McLaughlin J. Gostermeyer R. B. Semple Rothe Weigel F. N. Williams M. F. Crass, Jr. Alternates: Walter Dannenbaum (for W. H. Ward) M. Y. Seaton (for Paul L. Davies) J. G. Park (for H, W. Fisher) F. O. Haas (for D. S, Frederick) John L. Davenport (for John E. McKeen) R. W. Hooker (for R. L. Murray) Absent: L. I. Doan W. S. Landes W, S. Richardson H. I. Young Present by Invitation: Howard Huston, American Cyanamid Company Marx Leva, Fowler, Leva, Hawes & Symington John W, Hill, Hill.and Knowlton, Inc, Bert Goss, Hill and Knowlton, Inc. R. L. Taylor, Hill and Knowlton, Inc, %***** I. ABSENCE OF CUPRUM Although a quorum was not represented, it was the sense of those pre sent that the meeting proceed and that all business transacted be subject to consideration and vote of the members at the April 8, 1952, Board meeting. U. MINUTES OF THE MEETING The minutes of the February 12, 1952, meeting were approved as sent to the members, subject to the following correction: Minute 111(d) (1) - Substitute the following in lieu of the previously recorded language: CMA 066986 (94) (1) S. 2325 - to set up a Federal Accident Prevention Bureau, to pro mote and maintain safe and healthful conditions of employment in hazardous industries affecting commerce. A similar bill introduced in the 79th Congress was opposed by the Association, on recommendation of the General Safety Com mittee, on the ground that further legislation in this field was not needed. While the Association is not opposed in principle to laws designed to promote and maintain safe and healthful conditions of employment, nevertheless it was the sense of those present that the Association should again oppose the bill for the reasons that (1) Federal control is unnecessary because state agencies charged with administration of state labor laws already have the legal power to enforce safety measures and (2) that Federal control on top of state control would result in confusing duplication, complexity of rules and overlapping jurisdiction. " m. TREASURER'S REPORT The report of the Treasurer for the period February 1, 1952 to February 29, 1952, was reviewed, and On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the report be accepted and placed on file. !V. SECRETARY'S REPORT (a) Extension of Defense Production Act of 1950, As Amended. Mr, John A. Sargent, Executive Vice President, Diamond Alkali Company, appeareehbefore the Senate Banking and ~ March 11 in behalf of the Association, the first part being a summary to be presented orally, and the second part being a detailed background memorandum to be introduced as part of the hearing record. The memorandum was prepared by Mr. Harry S. Ferguson, and the oral summary by Counsel and Secretary. Copies of the statement were sent to Member Executives on March 6. (b) Water Pollution Research Proposal. The MCA Water Pollution Abate ment Committee will meet at the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences on March 18. During the morning session officials of the Academy will explain to our Com mittee details of the research work which the Academy had in mind in submitting its proposal. In the afternoon, our Committee will meet in executive session to consider the Academy proposal and to draft a recommendation for submittal to the Board at the April 8 meeting. (c) Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act. The Public Contracts Division, U. S. Department of Labor, has issued tentative regulations making subcontrac tors subject to its regulations. The Act as it now stands requires chemical firms having contracts with the Government in excess of $10,000 to conform to the minimum hourly wage provisions set by the Division for the chemical industry. The proposed amendment will require subcontractors to qualify accordingly. Members of the Association's Public Contracts Subcommittee which functioned during the chemical industry wage redetermination two years ago will be contacted concerning this proposal. CMA 066987 (95) (d) Advisory Council on Federal Reports. For several years the Associ ation Has made a nominal annual contribution to this organization which advises the Bureau of the Budget on reports, reporting forms, etc. , issued by the many Governmental agencies. In a substantial number of cases, committees of the Council have been successful in either eliminating or substantially modifying these forms. It was the sense of those present that the Association continue its support to the Council with a contribution of $100 for the calendar year 1952. (e) Washington Office Personnel. Arrangements are nearing completion for the hiring of an experienced man with legal training to become an Assistant Secretary, and definite announcement of this will be made at the April meeting. The Secretary was urged to take immediate steps to initiate employment of a second additional staff member just as soon as circumstances permit. V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (a) Plastics Committee - Terms of Reference. Copies of the Terms of Reference, as prepared by Counsel, under which the Plastics Committee will function, were distributed at the last meeting with the understanding that action, in the form of a resolution of the Board of Directors, would be taken at the current meeting. Following brief discussion, On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED; That the Terms of Reference be approved. A copy of the Terms of Reference is attached to these Minutes. (b) Election of Mr, Kenneth C, Towe. The Chairman advised that the Nominating Committee has recommended the appointment of Mr. Kenneth C. Towe, President, American Cyanamid Company, as a member of the Board of Directors, replacing Raymond C. Gaugler, deceased, Mr. Towe's term of office will expire May 31, 1954, On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the recommendation be approved. (cj Additional Report on Alternates. The Chairman advised that the following Board members had requested appointments of alternates as follows: Member Kenneth C. Towe J. W. McLaughlin Alternate, Company and Position Howard R. Huston, Vice President American Cyanamid Company Howard Bunn, Vice President Bakelite Division, Union Carbide, replacing L. E. Erlandson, CMA 066988 On Motion duly made and seconded it was tn) VOTED: That the appointments be approved. (d) Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. At the re quest of the Chairman, the^ecretary read a letter dated February 22, 1952, received from Mr. Ambrose R. Chantler, President, SOCMA, proposing an arrangement whereby representatives of one association would hold associate memberships upon committees of the other -- the arrangement to constitute a closer working relationship between the two groups and avoidance of duplication of activities. To carry such plan, Mr. Chantler proposed that a joint steering committee be established. Following discussion it was agreed that such steer ing committee should be established and that consideration be given to initiating Mr. Chantler's proposal with the establishment of a joint Tariff Committee. __ The following members of MCA were appointed to the joint liaison committee: Messrs. Howard Huston, Felix Williams, Jan Oostermeyer, R. W, Hooker; and W. H. Ward, Ex Officio. VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS Mr. Merck reported that a meeting of the Public Relations Policy Com mittee had been held the evening before in order to discuss budgetary problems. A report on public relations funds raised to date was submitted, together with the number of contributing firms. The Policy Committee recommende4 insofar as the underwriting firms were concerned, that the six largest QoatWtiunrrg be ~ called upon to pay the balance of their commitment, and that in the case of the twelve other underwirters the remaining commitment be cancelled, but that no refunds be made. With funds now collected, it appears that an expenditure of $20, 000 per month for public relations purposes through May will be possible and that a carry over of funds into the new fiscal year will be possible. An integrated budget to provide for all Association activities, including operations _and public relations, will be presented to the Directors at the April meeting following which it will be sent to member firms for consideration prior to the Annual Meeting, with final action to be taken at the Annual Meeting. \ ai The Policy Committee recommended, and the Executive Committee approved, an expenditure of not to exceed $6,000 for a limited public opinion poll, this tP be handled through Hill and Knowlton. On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the above report be approved. VII. COMMITTEES ...... (a) Air Pollution AbatementXommttrae "t f) Manual P-1. Board members wer Air Pollution Abatement Manual P-1* Pvefwc -JSk CMA 066989 seventh in a series of 13 chapters of the Manual to be issued, the balance to be published and dystrilxuted by June 1. (2) Copies of the MCA policy statement entitled "A Rational Approach to Air Pollution Legislation' were distributed. (3) A financial statement on the February 25-26 Conference was submitted as follows: Receipts Expenditures $3120.00 2396. 74 Balance to Treasurer $ 723.26 The Secretary reported that approximately 240 persons were present at the Conference, including representatives from Federal, state and local regulatory agencies, and the press. (4) Appointment of Mr. W. I, Burt, B, F. Goodrich Chemical Co. , as Chairman of the Committee, replacing Mr. J. M. Gillet, Victor Chemical Works, was approved. (b) General Safety Committee (l) Safety Statistics. The Secretary presented the following report covering safety statistics collected from member firms over a five-year period: Number of Firms Reporting Total Hours of Exposure (In Millions) Total Disabling Injuries Total Days Charged (In Thousands) Frequency Rate Severity Rate 1947 80 1948 86 1949 1950 1951 88 89 89 479. 8 3, 343 523. 6 3, 334 541. 6 575. 8 654.8 2, 621 2, 630 3, 176 373,9 6.94 0. 78 551. 1 6. 37 1.06 350. 1 423. 5 4.84 4. 56 0. 65 0. 73 446, 1 4. 85 0. 68 (2) Safety Award Program. On the basis of reports received to dake, Certificates of Achievement will be awarded to 180 plants of 28 member firms. The Certificates are awarded to plants which have completed a calendar year without a lost time injury. Statistical work in connection with the Lammot du Pont Safety Award has been completed, and the General Safety Committee at its March 20 meeting will select the two firms who will receive bronze plaques at the 80th Annual Meeting. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS CMA 066990 (a) Annual Meeting. In the absence of Messrs. John E. McKeen and H. W. Fisher, Mr, J. Oostermeyer reported that progress was being made in the selection of the annual banquet speaker. It was suggested that the Program Committee consider the sending of invitations to Government officials concerned with the chemical industry and that this be done also in the case of the heads of (98) OaxLadiaji chemical firms. (b) Tariff and Customs Si mplification . Mr, Huston reported that a joint meeting of the MCA~and SOCMA Tariff Committees had been held the previous week and that agreement had been reached on the type of statement to be presented before the Senate Banking Committee in case decision was made to schedule an appearance. The two associations have selected Mr. R. W, Hooker as their spokesman and he will appear with a prepared statement in case the American selling price is re-injected into Senate con sideration of the pending bill. There being no further business to come before the meeting it was unanimously resolved to adjourn. Approved: Charles S. Munson, Chairman. M, F. Crass, Jr. Secretary CMA 066991 TERMS CF REFERENCE FOR THE PLA5TIC5 COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the Plastics Committee of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. , was initially established pursuant to written assurances given by the Chairman of the predecessor Manufacturing Chemists' Association at the time of the consolidation of that organization and the Plastic Materials Manufacturers Association; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists Associ ation, Inc., by Resolution at its meeting on October 9, 1951, determined that the Plastics Committee should be continued by that name within the purview of the general policy set forth in that Resolution, and pursuant to written terms of reference in the form of a further Resolution to be adopted by the Board with the concurrence of the Plastics Committee; and WHEREAS, this Resolution has been submitted to, and concurred in by, the Plastics Committee at its meeting on January 31, 1952; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. hereby resolves: (1) That, pursuant to Section 8 of Article V of the By-Laws of the Association, the Plastics Committee shall be continued by that name under the terms of reference set forth herein. (2) That the members of the Plastics Committee shall con tinue to be appointed on a rotating basis by the Board from member manufacturers of plastic materials in such a way that, to the maxi mum extent practicable, the members of the Committee do not at any time, taken collectively, represent in numbers or volume of produc tion a predominant position in the industry or any major segment thereof. (3) That the Plastics Committee is authorized to select its own Chairman and other officers and to adopt such other procedural rules as may be necessary or desirable within the framework of this Resolution. (4) That the Plastics Committee shall keep and file with the Board of Directors adequate minutes of its meetings, and shall keep adequate written records of its other operations and proceedings which shall be available to the Board at its request. (5) That the Plastics Committee is authorized to make oral reports of its activities to other members of the industry twice a year at regularly scheduled sessions in conjunction with the semi annual meetings of the Association as a whole, which sessions shall also be open to all interested members of the Association; any reports on Committee activities to the industry as a whole, other than reports submitted at these regularly scheduled semi-annual meetings and at such special meetings as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, shall be in writing. CMA 066992 (6) That the Plastics Committee is authorised to perform the functions set forth below, and such additional functions as may be specifically authorized by Resolution of the Board of Directors, sub ject to the Committee continuing to carry out the Association's policy that the several functional committees of the Association, and the Association's Washington office shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible in the performance of such functions: (a) To represent the manufacturers of plastic materi als on broad industry problems arising from the activities of government agencies, and, through the Association's Washington office, in connection with legislative matters of interest to the industry; also to represent such manufacturers before other associ ations, socieities, and organizations where industry wide representation is appropriate. (b) To sponsor and make available to all interested per sons technical literature as required for educational purposes consistent with the over-all public relations activities of the Association. (c) To promote safety in the use and manufacture of plastics and plastic materials utilizing to the maximum extent possible the existing Safety Committee of the Association and the services of the Association's Washington office. (d) To participate in the formulation of voluntary standardi zation programs with respect to color and the like, in cooperation with the Commodity Standards Division of the Department of Commerce, and to maintain liaison with the American Society for Testing Materials in connection with its voluntary standarization programs with respect to nomenclature and methods of testing. (e) To continue to encourage and participate in, on a volun tary basis, such non-profit fundamental research pro jects as that presently being carried forward by M.I.T., provided that any results or benefits of such research shall continue to be freely available to all interested per sons. (f) To collect statistical data pertaining to volume of pro duction and past transactions or activities as required for specific, non-routine purposes, provided that any reports based upon such data shall be entirely factual in nature and free from comments, suggestions or recom mendations with respect thereto, shall be on an over-all basis without indicating the position of individual com panies, and shall be made openly and freely available to all interested persons. a*** CMA 066993