Document aGEr4pNDv3a6wJmd19j4q1pe

1 Gr ahamEdg a r D I RECT O R O F R ESEA R C H ' Et hyl Gasol ine-Corporat ion Ch r y s l e r Buil ewdst g 135 East 42i?PSt r eet Ie w Yokk February 8, 1933 Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio* My dear Kehoe: Mr. Tvalter has turned over to me your letter of February 6th in reply to his letter of February 1st* . I have been looking into the situation today and feel that it is one to which ito,must all give careful considera tion* It would appear that a strong demand has arisen for ETHYL in aviation gasoline in a number of foreign countries and I understand that several contracts have actually been let and a number of others are under consideration. I am looking the matter up, but my impression is that contracts have been signed for Argentina, BoEvia, Peru, Holland, Belgium and one o r two other countries, and that several other South American countries are applying for a con tract for aviation gasoline. It would appear that shipments have been made to some of these countries and, as far as I can discover, no actual provision for handling the medical situation lias been made. The problem appears to be a quite difficult one. From the amount of business involved by the Air Lines in these countries, it would appear entirely impractical for u s 5to maintain special medical representatives in all the different countries. On the other hand, it is obvious that safety of men involved in blending can not be maintained without proper medical supervision # One policy which we might take would be to"throw the entire -responsibility on to the Oil companies selling in the territory in question, giving them, of course, all available information and instructions. It would be very doubtful if such a procedure coixld fail in time to develop an actual health hazard. Another policy would be to give up this aviation business entirely. 7,re have felt that the aviation business was an entering wedge and would, in time, be helpful in developing the autombile market, Hr Kehoe; - 2- February 8 1933 I expect to discuss this entire matter with Mr* Webb as soon as. it is possible to see him and it may be that you and I should get together soon with all the available facts and try to come to some decision as to policy It is, obviously, a rather hard matter to decide and one to which an insufficient amount of attention seems to have been paid in carrying out ' preliminary negotiations. I, myself, have not been in touch with the situation as Mr, Webb has handled almost all of it, personally, but I expect to have something to do with it in the future, if possible If you will be thinking over the matter a bit, I will write you further when more facts are available Very truly c-e / l r j