Document GGp35OVJXRzyQRkqrVRX3Eom

TELEPHONE NATIONAL 8-2588 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc (FOUNDED 1872) 246 H N. W.Woodward Building -- 15th and Sts, Secretary's Office Washington 5, D. C MINUTES OF MEETING - PLASTICS COMMITTEE Manhattan Club, New York City, January 1,3. 1953 PRESENT: Mr. M. G. Milliken Mr. Dan M. Rugg Mr. Howard S. Bunn Mr. Roger S. Firestone Dr. D. S. Frederick Mr. George Vila (For Mr. J. P. Coe) Mr. John R. Hoover Mr. James L. Rodgers, Jr. Mr. R. K. Mueller Mr. F. H. Carman The meeting was called to order by Chairman Milliken at 7:50 P.M. STATISTICAL SURVEY The secretary reported further on consultations regarding feas ibility of statistical surveys at this time. Following general dis cussion, it was agreed that plans would be dropped for any activity of this nature for the present. TARIFF INVENTORY REPORTS Since the last meeting of the Committee, a wider cross-section of members has been consulted on desirability of inventory figures Included in the current monthly report. Although total stocks on hand are currently being reported, the membership was about equally divided on the desirability of having these published by the Tariff Commission. In view of this attitude on the part of members, the fact that NPA has been paying for the collection of stocks on hand and probably will discontinue this soon, the questionable status of the Tariff Commission In further expanding their census activities, and the probable need for additional funds to expand the current monthly report led the secretary to suggest that this matter be tabled for the present. It 13 understood that the Tariff Commis sion is currently considering publication of statistics now being collected, but no further urging of Increased activity is believed desirable at this time. PLASTICS SHOW Members were advised that the next Plastics Exposition has been scheduled for Cleveland during the month of June, 1954. * CMA078155 Plastics Committee January 13, 1953 Page 2 FLAMMABLE LEGISLATION A bill" H.R. 389 Las now been introduced by Mr. Canfield (R-N.J.) in the new Congress and is termed the Flammable Fabrics Act which would cover plastic film. It was emphasized that this is similar to a bill presented in the last Congress. Determination of flam mability is through the then existing commercial standard. It is the general opinion this move is satisfactory to industry since the SPI now has a proposed commercial standard on plastic film about ready for issuance by the Department of Commerce. The National Fire Protection Association Committee on Wearing Apparel is having a meeting regarding testing procedures during the coming week and arrangements have been made with SPI for one of their experts to attend as an alternate for the secretary. MCA "FACTS BOOK" Members were advised of the compilation now underway by the Public Relations Counsel of a "Facts Book" for the chemical Industry which contains many references to plastic materials and the industry. Fol lowing discussion, it was agreed that members present would endeavor to have someone in their organization look over the -draft of the copy to be available shortly to check for accuracy with the view of making sure that anything published on the industry Is entirely factual. COATING RESINS COMMITTEE Following a discussion of past programs carried on by coating resin manufacturers and proposal that a sub-group of the Plastics Committee be established on these activities, it was the sense of the meeting that a subcommittee should consult with executives of companies manu facturing these materials on the desirability of setting up such a program within the framework of MCA and the Plastics Committee. Where upon, the Chairman appointed a committee composed of Messrs. Dan M. Rugg, chairman; D. S. Frederick and J. R. Hoover. The secretary is supplying this committee with these minutes copies of a list of manufacturers of resins, a letter setting forth the pro posed activities of a resins committee, and MCA Terms of Reference of the Plastics Committee. PLASTICS PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE The chairman had consulted with all Committee members regarding ap propriate activities that should be undertaken that would be benefi cial to the plastics industry. In discussion it was brought out that many of these should primarily be undertaken by such groups as the SPI but the MCA members have a stake In the plastics industry, they would benefit by any such constructive move for Improvement of plastic prod ucts for better public acceptance, and it may be the MCA Plastics Group could act as a motivating force to have the SPI take such appropriate action. The possible revision of "How To Buy and Sell Plastics" was mentioned. CMA 078156 Plastics Committee January 13, 1953 Page 3 Following a discussion of means of determining the public atti tude on plastic products and to check on the public acceptance of plastics, Messrs. Mueller, Bunn and Hoover were asked to obtain some Information on estimates of time and procedure and organiza tions that could make such a survey and possibly make recommenda tions on what the MCA Plastics Committee should do in this respect. For the record, the Committee is hereby advised that the "Opin ion Survey" for MCA conducted by Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, N. J. entitled "The Public Appraises the Chemical Indus try' cost the Association $6,490 for the actual survey, with a total cost of $7,481 which included presentation at the Annual Meeting, extra copies of the report, and some travel. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held February 10 at the Manhattan Club, New York City, beginning with dinner at 6:30 P.M. WHEREUPON, adjournment was taken at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, FHC/mw F. H. Carman Assistant Secretary t CMA 078157