Document Jv7zxw1Rw1MnxagGjyM3E388K

cot Dr8. R. A. Kehoe7 P. Prlnei CONFIDENTIAL Mr. M, P. Murdock W. R. Perdue, Jr. Assistance to Socony Mobil In Italy in connection with TML New York New York May 1, 1961 This will outline the action we took to assist Socony Mobil in Italy in connection with the question raised in the Italian Senate about TML. Sometime before April 13, 1961, Socony had put gasoline containing TML on sale in Italy. About noon on April 13, 1961, a representative of Public Relations of Socony called Mr. Vogel, in our Public Relations Department, to advise of occurrences in Italy. The occurrences reported were* 1. Unfavorable news stories about TML appearing in papers in Rome and possibly elsewhere} 2. Questions addressed to the Government by two Italian senators in which they reported cases of pedestrian Illness claimed to result from TML, claimed that TML was seventy times as toxic as TEL and demanded explanation by the Government of the reasons for per mitting use of TML and prohibition of its use. I immediately arranged for Dr. Princi, our Medical Director, to call Dr. George Saunders, the Medical Director of Socony. Dr. Saunders indicated that the Socsny people were much concerned and asked us to send Dr* Kehoe over to Rome so that he would be there by Monday morning. Dr. Kehoe was scheduled to fly from'Cincinnati to the Nest Coast on the next day-- Friday} he was also scheduled to appear as a witness in New York the following week and he had let his passport expire. We Immediately took the follow ing actionst , 1. At my request, Dr. Kehoe called off his trip to the West Coast and flew to New York Friday afternoon and on to Rone Saturday night. K? 0002940 Mr. M. P. Murdock 2 ' May 1, 1961 2. We arranged for a substitute witness. 3. We arranged for emergency Issuance of a pass** port renewal. Upon arrival in Home, Dr. Kahoe ascertained the pertinent facts and held discussions with representatives of the Italian Government, including the Deputy Secretary of Health. He provided these officials with up-to-date informa tion, including his recently issued interim TML report which had. just been furnished to the U.S. Armed Forces, He also collaborated with representatives of both Socony and Esso in determining that no further statements would fee issued to the press, but reliance would be left on Government representatives to answer the questions raised. Dr. Kehoe has advised that he is satisfied that the Government representatives have the necessary information to deal with the matter. vie have not as yet received any advice concerning the appearance of Government representatives in the Italian Senate to answer the questions. WRP/d W. H. Perdue, Jr. Kg- 0002941