Document LpQ0wX6kyLraKo1MLZQzqyxDX

July 24, 1957 Dr. R. E. Eckardt, Director Medical Research Division Esso Research and Engineering Company P. O. 3off 45 Linden, New Jersey Dear Doctor Eckardt: In connection with the work which we are doing for Esso Research and Engineering Company, it has occurred to me to look into whether or not any specific or general form of agreement obtains. I do not find that such is the case, and while the matter might be regarded as a mere formality, in view of the professional relationships that exist between ourselves and members of your staff, I believe that some type of written agreement is desirable as between your administrative heads and ours. There are two possibilities in this regard; one that of a general agreement which would cover all of our activities on behalf of your organization, and the ether that of a specific agreement in connection with each project. It matters little to me which c these procedures is employed, since the details in the specific instance would be recorded in our files and yours. With this idea in mind I am sending you a copy of our standard agreement. This, as you will see, is essentially a statement of the policies of the University in these matters. It can be reworded in order to meet specific situations or to fit the tastes of the legal representatives of sponsors of the work, so long as no violence is done to the basic policies. If you or your associates and legal advisors wish to adapt this into general terms, or if. you and they wish to use it to cover specific and individual projects, please do so and return signed copies to me for cbnsideration, and for execution by the Board of Director of the-University. If there is any question of policy between us, some formal agreement is certainly necessary, and if there is none,then we shall be-in better position, perhaps, and certainly so for the record. We have been presented with legal and professional situations from time to time in which our formal relationships have been brought into question. In such instances our formal agreements have estab lished the responsibility of the University authorities, and have clarified the issue. If you and your people should feel that no agreement of either of the types Dr, R. E. Eckardt - (2) - July 24, *957 indicated is desirable, I shall not insist upon any such action, for l am not greatly concerned about these formalities when our professional relationships are direct and satisfactory,as they are in this instance. In some instances, however, the execution of a formal agreement is a stern necessity, and this is true especially when we have to deal with industrial management or their technical representatives without the help of medical people. I shall not be back in my office after August 1 until September 1, so that there is no urgency about this matter. Sincerely yours,, Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. RAX ef Ene. ?. 3. Dr. Gerarde telephoned me today about the toxic properties of Ethyl's new antiknock compound (AK33X). We have preliminary information which I iuiu get to you when it has been put in proper form. We are also engaging in an extensive investigation of the compound in itself and in association with the materials with which it will be formulated and used. As I told him, and without supporting data at this time, this manganese compound is quite toxic, its toxicity being comparable to that of other rn etallo-organic compounds, including tetraethyl lead. It is, we believe, somewhat less dangerous than TEL to handle, but there seems not to be much choice between them if actual exposure leading to absorption.occurs. Inappropriate vehicles the compound is absorbed fairly readily through the skin. Our present data, relate to immediate toxicity, whereas we are much more concerned about the effects of prolonged absorption of small quantities. Thus we are merely undertaking to prevent any early toxic episodes while we are investigating its future poten tialities for harm. So long as your people handle the material as they would TEL or ETHYL fluid, there will be no difficulty. R,A .X. KE* 0020517