Document NRK4jRJEOR3bp1k29enV5458

December 10, 1 9 o 3 (206) MINUTES of the thirty-fourth meeting of the Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc., held at The Union Club, Park Avenue and 69th Street, New York, New York on December 8, 1953, at 11:00 A. M. (EST). There were present: Messrs. Alternates: Howard S. Bunn Walter Dannenbaum F. J. Emmerich William C. .Foster Carl A. Gerstacker R. L. Hockley J. R. Hoover J. J. Kerrigan John E. McKeen Charles S. Munson Ernest W. Reid John A. Sargent R. B. Semple J, Albert Woods Kenneth C. Towe M. F. Crass, Jr, Paul Kendall (for George B. Beitzel) W. H. Ward (for Walter Dannenbaum) M. Y. Seaton (for Paul L. Davies) E. W. Clark (for F. J. Emmerich) J. L. Davenport (for John E. McKeen) J, A. Hill (for Charles S. Munson) R. W. Hooker (for R. L. Murray) J. C. Leppart (for Thomas S. Nichols) R. G. Ruark (for Ernest W. Reid) B. J. C. van der Hoeven (for Dan M. Rugg) H. R. Huston (for Kenneth C. Towe) J. M. Gillet (far- FulU Nr Williams" Present by Invitation: Marx Leva - Fowler, Leva, Hawec & Symington I. MINUTES OF MEETING. The minutes of the November 10, 1953 meeting were duly approved as sent to the members, H. TREASURER'S REPORT (a) Cash Report. The cash report of the Association for the period November 1, 1953 to November 30, 1953 was reviewed. (b) Public Relations Budget. The President presented an estimated Public Relations budget for the balance of the fiscal year which apportions 60% of his salary to this activity as well as certain overhead items. A summarization of this six months Public Relations budget which will supplant the previous Hill & Knowlton budget is as follows: CMA 067125 1 953- 54 Budget as approved at 81st Annual Meeting Less PR expenses through November 30, 1953 Balance, November 30, 1953 Estimated budget, December - May (6 months Rent (5 mos. apportion) $ 4,200 Salaries 50.000 Telephone (tie line) 4, 000 Printed Material 18.000 Travel, etc. 4, 500 (30?) $ 145,000 63,598 $ 81,402 $80,700 $ 80,700 (c) Financial Situation. Although the Association has operated for six months within the over-all budget approved at the 81st Annual Meeting, certain unforeseen expenses payable during December and January will create an unbalanced condition which may or may not be compensated by other income. The principal item here is counsel fees including the Association's NLRB appearance. Implementation of the Association's statement to the Randall Commission as proposed by the International Trade and Tariff Committee (see Item VI(g) will further complicate the budgetary picture. HL PRESIDENT'S REPORT. (a) Public Relations. It was emphasized that the reconstituted Public Relations Budget,outlined under Item II (b) above, is consistent with the over-all Public Relations program approved last June. Funds will not be taken from the Public Re lations account to finance unforeseen special projects having Public Relations value, such as the NLRB appearance and implementation of the Association's Randall Commission statement. Mr. Foster reported on the Public Relations staff assembled to date and described distribution plans for the Chemical News and "Your Food and Chemical Research". The mailing list on the former is expanding and distribution of the latter will be augmented by an additional 70, 000 copies over and above member company distribution. Press material concerning our Randall Commission statement received wide distribution. (b) Semi-Annual Meeting. Success of this meeting has been borne out by the many constructive comments received from member representatives. Extensive press coverage was obtained on program and general items. Negotiations are under way to obtain the Waldorf Ballroom facilities next year. If unsuccessful, the Association is covered with a firm reservation at the New York Statler. (c) December 14 Washington Luncheon. A report was made on the substantial number of high government officials who will be the Association's guests at the December 14 Washington luncheon. Although a substantial industry representation is assured, nevertheless, the importance of top executive personnel was stressed in view of the large number of highly placed government people who will be present. CMA 067126 (208) (d) New Quarters. The Association will move from the Woodward Building to 1625 Eye Street, N. W. , on December 28, It is planned to hang an industrial mural in the reception room, and those present were invited to supply murals of this nature which the Washington office could hang on a rotational basis. (e) Organization of Washington Office. A flow chart showing a re alignment of office procedure and personnel assignments was explained and discussed. It will become effective the first of the year. IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (a) Report on Alternates. The Chairman advised that the following Board member had requested the appointment of an alternate: Member Alternate, Position, Company J. R. Hoover William I. Burt, Vice-President in charge of manufacturing, B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co. On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the appointment be approved. (b) Membership Committee Report. (1) Appointment of Committee Chairman. Due to the resignation of Mr. R. L. Hockley from the Board (see Item (c) beiow, the Board appointed Mr. J. R. Hoover as Chairman of the Membership Committee to replace Mr. Hockley. Mr, Hockley will remain as a member of the Committee. (2) New Applications. It was reported that the following new applications for membership in the Association had been received, all duly sponsored and seconded by executives of member firms, and that the applicants appear to be qualified for membership under the Association's By-Laws: Shawinigan Chemicals, Ltd. R. T. Vanderbilt Co. Sinclair Chemicals, Inc. National Petro-Chemicals Corporation On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the applications be approved subject to the 30-day notice to members provided under Article III, Section 4, of the By-Laws, (3) General Report. The Secretary reported that thirteen firms have applied for membership in the Association to date since the beginning of the fiscal year. It is believed that a number of additional applications will be submitted soon. CMA 067127 (c) Resignation of Mr. R. L. Hockley. The Chairman announced that Mr, R. L. Hockley had resigned from the Board of Directors following his prior resignation as President of The Davison Chemical Corporation. It was the sense of those present that this resignation should be accepted with regret. V. COMMITTEES. (a) General Safety Committee - In accordance with prior arrangements, Mr. A. J. Wuertz1 period of service with the Association will expire December 15. Mr. Charles H. Mayhood of the Washington office staff will take over Mr. Wuertz' duties as Secretary of the General Safety Committee in addition to his present duties. Members were presented with a copy of the new Chemical Safety Data Sheet, No. SD-55, Butadiene. Board members were reminded that "A Guide to &fety in the Chemical Laboratory", drafted and edited by the General Safety Committee and staff members, will be published by D. van Nostrand & Co. during March or April, 1954. It has been suggested that member firms purchase copies of this book for distribution to schools and libraries as a public service. (b) Plastics Committee. The Board approved the appointment of Mr, Harold W. Mohrman, Plastics Division, Monsanto Chemical Company, as MCA repre sentative on ISO/TC61 Committee of the ASA and ASTM. (c) Chemicals in Foods. The Committee on Chemicals in Foods met in New York City on November 23 and by a divided vote recorded its endorsement of a proposed amendment to the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act which would have as its object the removal from FDA consideration of the question as to whether a product is "poisonous and deleterious" per se and the substitution therefor of a statutory provision which would place the problem in the category of a determination by FDA of the safe limits under the conditions of use, i. e. prior approval by FDA of the use of chemicals in or on foods. Distributed at the Board meeting were copies of a memo randum prepared by counsel outlining background and pointing out that the Committee action, if sustained, would give FDA a licensing power in place of the policing power which it now has. Thorough discussion then ensued in which it was clearly the sense of those present that MCA should not advocate the power of prior FDA approval. Emphasized instead was the importance of prompt and active cooperation with the food industry in the interest of reasonable statutory requirements in the interest of the public welfare. Dr. Reid reported that the Corn Industries Research Foundation had agreed to collaborate with MCA in the setting up of a top level committee to which representatives of other food groups would be invited -- purpose being to steer a sane and uniform course of policy acceptable to both industries. Dr, Reid agreed to actively assume responsibility for the following up of this undertaking. MCA has already been invited by two food groups to participate in policy discussions relating to legislation. It was agreed that Board representatives from firms having members on the Chemicals in Foods Committee should individually advise such Committee members of Board policy and action relating'to the foregoing in view of the action taken by the CIF Committee at its November 23 meeting. CMA 067128 (d) Traffic Committee. Those present were handed a copy of an MCA petition to the Interstate Commerce Commission for suspension of Supplement 18 of Freight Tariff 504 -- Southern Motor Carriers. It was pointed out that the petition was the most recent step taken by the MCA Traffic Committee in opposition to un reasonable motor carrier freight rates applicable to chemicals. (e) Industry-Education Committee. The appointment of Dr. Thomas Kennedy, Hercules Powder Company, as a member of the Committee, was approved by the Board. The Board approved a recommendation of the Committee that its name be changed to "Committee on Industry-Education Cooperation. V VL MISCELLANEOUS. (a) 1954 Chemical Exposition. The 1954 Chemical Industry Exposition to be sponsored by the American Chemical Society will be held in Chicago, Illinois on October 12 - 15, 1954. ACS has invited the Secretary to become a member of the Exposition's Advisory Board. A second invitation requests that the Association organize a one or two-day symposium to be held in conjunction with the Exposition, devoted to the transportation, packaging and labelling of chemical products. It was the sense of the meeting that this invitation be accepted. It was then suggested that the October 12, 1954 meeting of the Board of Directors be held in Chicago in conjunction with the Exposition. Although the suggestion met with general approval by those present, it was the feeling that definite decision should be held in abeyance until a later meeting. (b) April 1954 Board Meeting in Pittsburgh. Arrangements have been concluded for this meeting which will be held at the Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1954. Members of the Board who desire overnight accommodations at the Club are requested to get in touch with the Secretary as promptly as possible. (c) Tax Policy. Those present were presented with copies of the Association 's statement to the Joint Congressional Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation presented on November 18. (d) 1954 Pollution Abatement Conference. Final plans for the Conference have been made. Some difficulty is being experienced, however, in obtaining papers for presentation at the industrial panel session. Board members having plants in the Houston area were urged to consider acceptance of invitations already made for presentation of technical papers. (e) Texas Chemical Council. The President recommended deferral for an additional month of resolutions relating to the Texas Chemical Council (see Item Vll(e) Minutes of November 10, 1953 Board meeting). Mr. Foster plans to visit Houston during early January and will report to the Board at the January 12, 1954 meeting. CMA 067129 (f) Welch Trust. The President reported that MCA had been approache for advice and counsel relating to utilization of a $40 million dollar trust fund set up in Houston, Texas for fundamental research in chemistry. Board members were re quested to forward comments to Mr. Foster promptly. He plans to contact the Trustees during his trip to Houston in early January. (g) International Trade and Tariff. A suggested program for public relations implementation of the MCA statement before the Randall Commission, draftt and recommended by the International Trade and Tariff Committee and carrying the support of the Public Relations Advisory Committee's Tariff Subcommittee, was pre sented to the Board in behalf of the IT&T Committee by Mr. Emmerich. The 10-point program involving a periodic review bulletin, background memorandum, model speech and other types of media, plus a 12-1/2 minute TV movie, is estimated to cost approximately $25, 000. Discussion brought out the following points: (1) There are no funds available in the Association's budget for the necessary financing. Either special financing will be required or it will be necessary to dip into surplus. (2) The proposed program would supplement but not conflict with the SOCMA program (Mr, Huston discussed the latter program in detail). (3) The proposed program would adhere strictly to policy and tone of the MCA statement before the Randall Commission, i.e. , a middle of the road approach. mously Following discussion, it was on motion duly made and seconded, unani VOTED: that the Board endorse the general outlines of the International Trade and Tariff Committee's suggested program for implementation of the statement submitted to the Randall Commission, this endorsement being subject to the following: First, appropriate review by the President on behalf of the Board to assure that the implementation conforms to the basic MCA policy statement; Second, further cooperative work between the International Trade and Tariff Committee and the Public Relations Advisory Committee (including the possible deletion of the proposed television program); and Third, the working out of appropriate means of handling the financing of the program. (h) Malone Subcommittee. The President reported receipt of an in vitation from the Senate Subcommittee on Mineral "Resources (Malone Subcommittee) to present testimony on behalf of the chemical industry relating to foreign trade policy. CMA 067130 Ir was the sense of the Board that, if possible, our statement to the Randall Commission be submitted in lieu of an oral appearance, but that, if the latter is necessary, the President attempt to limit his remarks to subject matter contained within the framework of our policy statement. 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 067131