Document em1rgENaz3x9k4vd5b6woG47q

February 4, 1944 19 PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Mr. E. * ebb, Ethyl Corporation, Chrysler Building, New York City 17- . Dear Mr. ebbi I have received. Mr. Schaefer's letter indicating that he transmitted my message to you concerning my conversation with Doctors Neal and Dyer, of the Public Health Service. I am glad to give you.somewhat more detailed account of my interview. , hen I was in -shington. on January 14, conferring with Dr. Paul Neal on certain other problems, in which we are ^engaged at.the present time, I discussed with him in some detail the status of the TEL manufacturing plants at Deepwater and Baton Rouge. I acquainted him with the developments over some little period of time, with the difficulties that have contributed to some decline in the hygienic status of these plants, and with the recent developments which have led to immediate and careful re-examination of all factors that contribute to the lead exposure of theworkmen In these plants. In short, I presented the facts to him in very much the same manner that they were given to the Board of Direc tors of the Ethyl Corporation. At this same-meeting I discussed the results of my observa tions on my recent trip to Alexandria and Abadan, and gave him as full information as I could by word of mouth. I then raised the question as to whether the Public Health Service would like to have a report in writing covering these matters. Dr. Neal expressed himself as believing that this was unnecessary, unless for some reason either I or the executives of the Ethyl Corporation should feel it to be necessary. However, he thought it best to put the matter up to his superior, D r . R . E . Dyer, who is the Chief of the Division of the Public Health Service in which Dr. Neal's work is carried out. Accordingly, we visited Dr. Dyer and Mr. E. W, Webb - (2) - February 4, 1944 briefly discussed the two problems. Dr. Dyer expressed himself as agreeing with Dr. Weal in the matter and in addition expressed, his gratitude for the information given to the Public Health Service. This, I believe, leaves us in the position of taking any other action which may seem to be advisable or leaving it where it is I might make one or two additional comments for your con sideration in this connection. Dr. Dyer is a man of dis tinction in his chosen field of work in the Public Health Service, and his general reputation for ability and integrity is above question among scientific people. Therefore, there can be no question as to any double-dealing on his part in a matter of this type. By reason of this fact, it would be my opinion that there is no good reason why the'Ethyl Corporation should feel it necessary to record its action through me, in reporting these matters to the Public Health Service. It is also my considered opinion that I shall be able to deal in an entirely frank manner with the Public Health Service innthese matters, and I should prefer not to take any .action which would imply that there is any doubt as to my good faith or theirs, in the broad professional sense. This is merely an ^expression of my own opinion, and if it should be the judgment of the Board or yourself that there should be some record of this interview, I shall be guided accordingly, I might conclude this letter by indicating Dr. Dyer*s reaction to the difficulties that have occurred at Deepwater. After I had recited the facts with respect to the illness of several workmen and the death of one, he asked if these were the only cases of illness that had occurred in recent years. On being informed that this was the case, he said that in his opinion the industry should be commended for its good record rather than be severely criticized for its recent misfortunes. I report this not for the purpose of encouraging complacency on the part of anyone'who has responsibility for the safety of the workmen in these plants, but rather to give the point of view of one who has no reason to be biased and who is in a strategic position to view the present hygienic picture in American industry. Sincerely yours, RAK ef Robert A * K e h o e , M .' ) CC Mr. E. W. Webb ETH YL COR P OR ATION Ma n u f a c t u r in g a n d Tr a f f ic De pa r t m e n t PL EA SE A DDRESS REPLV T O CH RYSLER BUILDING 4 0 5 LEXINGTON AVE. , NEW YORK | 7, N.Y. January 51 191*1*- PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Dr. K. A. Kehoe College of Medicine University of Cincinnati Eden & Bethesda Avenues Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: Mr. Webb returned today and I transmitted to him" your message with regard to your contacts in Washington with the Public Health Service, Drs. Neal and Dier, con cerning the gasoline and manufacturing story. I also told him that it was my understanding based on our conversation in Baton Eouge that you were going to write to him concerning your conversation in Washington. He asked me if I would communicate further with you toward the end of your sending him such a report in time to have before the next Board meeting, which will be held on February 14. Very truly yours, 3-2 Ki r