Document babaDgR2mopaGQD8RKpna7kRo

ATI-169 \r^ GAR x< ' ASBESTOS TEXTILE INSTITUTE Pag -1- --' Minute a - GENERAL MEETING - February i*., 1971. , . The RED CARPET INN, Charlotte, N.C. , In attendance: AMERICAN ASBESTOS TEXTILE CORP. j.w. Chris century _ Wm. Maaskant ' E.H. Walter GARLOCK INC. Alex. Kuzmuk W.P. Brainerd ' . ' JOHNS-MANVILLS CORPORATION N.D. Brown K.A. Roberts E.A. Schunan C.L. Sheckler ASBESTOS CORPORATE G.F.A. Brink P.E. Leclerc BELL ASBESTOS MUTES LIMITED WM.J.W. Smith Walter H. Smith. LAKE ASBESTOS OF QUEBEC LTD. C.E. Stiefken TURNER BROS. ASBESTOS CO..LTD. W.M. Deckman H.J. Corson H.E. "PORTER COMPANY.INC. L. E. Moody D. E. Childers J.W. Echerd E. C. Bratt J.D. MeCluer (Retired) NICOLET INDUSTRIES,PIC. GEO. Griswold,Jr. E.W. Russell RAY3 ESTO S-MANHATTAN, INC. M. Q. Seowcroft J.W. Hawkins Dr. J.L. Goodman J.W. Frampton (Guest ** UNIROYAL, TitC. E.A. Morris R.C. Hunt H.M. Willingham Dr. J.H. Wolfsie ' S.J. Peele,Jr. T.H. Newby L.F. Dieringer (Guest) CADV/ALADER .WICKERSHAM & TAFT H.C. Roosevelt (Legal Counsel) ASBESTOS TEXTILE INSTITUTE H.E. Sunbury (Secretary) 9 1. President Moody called the meeting to order at 1:4-5 P.M. 2. Those present were asked to stand and give their name and company. 3. President Moody asked that a moment of prayer be observed in memory of Ralph B. Smith who passed away on January 21, 1971 at his Home in North Charleston,S.C. Mr.Smith had attended A.T.I. meetinge regularly for nearly twenty years, and served as Chairman of our Air Hygiene & Kfg. Committee during I960 and 1961. 4-. The minutes of the last meeting were presented for reading. On motio'n by Mr.E.A. Schuman, seconded by Hr. Roberts, it was voted to omit the reading of same. ATI-169 - J-Unutas - OEUZRAL MEETING - continued: Page -2 5,' Treasurer Kuzmuk presented the Financial Report. Dr.J.H. Uolfsie moved that it be accepted, motion seconded by Mr.P.Z.Leclorc, and so voted unanimously. A copy of the report is attached. 6.President Moody rafarrod to tha "History of tha Asbestos Textile Industry in tha United States" by J.A. Bettos,Jr., now appearing serially in tha ASBESTOS Magazine, and said that tha Secretary had been instructed to vrite Mr. Bettes a letter of commendation on behalf of tha Institute and its members. Mr. Bettes, an active member of tha Institute for approximately twenty-four years, served as the President of A.T.I. in 1957 and 1953* Upon retirement from Haybestos Manhattan,Inc. several years ago Mr. Bettes began his self-imposed task of collecting information for his "History of the Asbestos Textile Industry in the USA.", and it has required countless hours and voluminous correspondence to prepare the "History" for publication The Institute appreciates the fine contribution that Mr. Bettes has made to the asbestos textile industry, and congratulates hin on doing an exceptionally fine Job! Also, the ASBESTOS Magazine is to be commended for making the "History" available to its readers I Mr. Bettes address is:- John A. Bettes,Jr.,3100 So.Ocean Blvd.,#618, Delray Beach, Fla. 33W4i, and we are sure that he would welcome comments from readers of the "History". a 7. President Moody announced the election of Mr. N.D. Brown to tha 3oard of Governors, replacing Mr.2.A. Schuraan of Johns-Manville; also the election to the Board of Mr. J.W. Christenbury, replacing Mr. J.L. Rainey of American Asbestos Textile Corp. Mr. Schuman resigned because of a realignment of his company responsibilities, and Mr, Rainey's resignation was due to increasingly heavy duties 3ince his election to President of his company in. June, 1970. 8. The Legal Counsel Report was given by Attorney H.C. Roosevelt, of Cadwalader, Y/iekersham e Taft, H7C. A resume* is attached. 9. Tha Fibre Producer's Report was given by Hr. Wm.J.W. Smith, Vice President & General Sales Managor of BELL ASBESTOS HIRES LIMITED. Mr. Smith began his remarks by saying that it was tha opinion of the producers that the fibre situation should be exposed as frequently as A.T.I. meets, and proceeded to discuss the situation relative to the various grades of fibre; beginning with tha shorter grades: Group 7 fibres in the shorter classifications are fairly ample, but the longer Group 7*a are in tighter supply. * . Group 6 fibres - a vary specific shortage. (Used in Brake Linings,etc) Group 5 fibres - Premium classifications are "tight". Group It fibres - fairly wall in balance (Used in asb.-cement products) Group 3 fibres - Used in textiles. A year ago a shortage existed, but now the high magnetio iron fibres as produced in Eastern Canadian mines are in good supply. By contrast, tha low magnetic iron Group 3 fibres, as produced on tha West Coast of Canada, continue to be critically short . The unusually severe winter has crippled product ion -at Cassiar. Situation may improve somewhat by June, but supply ` will still bo short. In regard to Rhodesian fibre tha embargo has bean moat affaotivs, both in tha U.3.A. and Canada. It is a critical ATI-169 Minutes - GrDJERAL MEETING - continued Page -3- aituatlon fop asbestos textile manufacturers in the U.S.A. because there is no alternative law iron fibre except Cassiar. The U.S. Gov ernment has a sizeable stoclcpile of low iron fibre but apparently is not willing to release any of it. 10. Committee Reports were given by the respective Chairmen: t Air Hygiene 4: Mfg. Committee - K.M. Willingham,Chm. Technical Committee - J.W. Hawkins (Acting chairman) Asbestos Advisory Committee - E.A. Morris, Chm. Fiber Testing Committee - D.S. Childers, Chm. Their reports are attached to these minutes. 11. Dr. J.L. Goodman, North Charles ton,S.C., associated with Raybestos-Manhattan,Inc., speaking as a member of the A.T.I. Environmental Health Committee, reported that he had attended a seminar on Asbestosis, arranged by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, that was held on June 15 18, 1970 at the lit. Sinai School of Medicine, Hew York City. Said that he was surprised to find a goodly number of representatives of labor in attendance. Dr. Selikoff s staff members presented the program, which turned out to be a diatribe against industry. At the opening of the meeting it was announced that spraying of steel frame work with asbestos fiber, in new buildings under construction, had been discontinued in Hew York State. Dr. Goodman was critical of Dr. Selikoff s presentation and accusations against industry. When questions were directed to various (staff) speakers Dr. Selikoff spoke up to answer the question - sometimes quite rudely! The second day of the Seminar was devoted to mesothelioma, which Dr. Goodman said was a v'ery controversial and debatable form of cancer (as to cause). He does not agree with many of Dr. Selikoff s statements and/or conclusions on this subject. Dr. Goodman feels that Dr. Selikoff is a "dangerous" man, and the asbestos industry is going to have to learn how to combat his tactics! We cannot, and should not, take-Dr. Selikoff lightly as he has the facilities for getting his version of the "facts" widely distributed, and the only way he can be rebutted is b7 being faced with the overwhelming weight of objective scientific and factual data. When asked if something could be done thru the American Medical Association (to control Dr. Selikoff) Dr. Goodman expressed doubt. There is a grievance committee of the AHA but it was very difficult to get it to act. Thought that perhaps pressure on the Mt. Sin&i School of Medicine might be effective. In regard to mesothelioma Hr. VAn.J.W. Smith aslced if Dr. Selikoff differentiated between Crocidolite and Chrysotile fibre. Dr.Goodman said that Dr. Selikoff inferred that Chrysotile was suspect as well as Crocidolite. Following Dr. Goodman's report. Hr. C.L. Sheckler, Chairman of A.T.I.'s Environmental Health Committee, commented that Dr. Selikoff was going to be around indefinitely and we might as well resign ourselves to that fact, even though Selikoff might be prone to deal with "half-truths". Hr. Sheckler mentioned the excellent promotional-type English film entitled '"WHY ASBESTOS" that was shown to members the previous evening, and said there is now an Asbestos Information Association of North America. Members of this new association are some of the ATI-169 *'Minutes - GENERAL MEETING - continued: Page -It. leading manufacturers of asbestos products in the U.S.A. Ho further information was given regarding' the new association. Hr, Sheckler then discussed the new Federal "Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970" (PL91-596) that will become effective on April 28, 1971, saying that Industry and its customers can well face new exposure to penalties after the law becomes effactivq:. Outlined some of the penalties, and discussed standards under tha'new law. For example, the present standard for noise is 90 decibels maximum, and he doubts that any textile plant can show such a low noise level. Under the new law the government inspectors will have free access to plants and records. An employee or employee group may request the government to make inspection at any time. The employer is re quired to post conditions "that exceed standards. All penalties are to be final unless contested within l days. In regard to medical & health research Mr. Sheckler said that a "National Institute of Safety !t Health" has been (or will be) set up within the framework of the Health,Education and Welfare Department. Dr. L.J. Cralley's group will be part of it. Concluding his remarks i!r. Sheclcler said that warning labels on products were now voluntary but probably will become mandatory at some future data. Thinks that our industry must give serious consideration to the use of warning labels on asbestos products. Mentioned that Common Law product liability suits are proliferating in the Thermal Insulation Industry. Data that label use began could indicate whether & manufacturer had been negligent,if law suit arises. 12. Locations for A.T.I. Meetings in 1971 were announced:- June 9-10, 1971 - Cherry Hill Inn, Cherry Hill.H.J. October 6-8, 1971 - Savannah Inn U Country Club,Savannah,Ga. The June meeting schedule will call for arrival Wednesday afternoon or evening, committee meetings Thursday morning, and GENERAL MEETING from 2:00 to lt:00 P.M. on Thursday afternoon. This shortened program will enable most attendees to be back at their respective offices on Friday morning. The October meeting is our ANNUAL MEETING to which company officials and their wives, also members' wives are specially invited. The meeting schedule in October will suggest arrival on Wednesday after noon or evening, the committee meetings will be on Thursday, and the GENERAL MEETING on Friday morning. 13. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:50pn. Respectfully submitted H.E. Sunbury 3ecro tary