Document gDL923Qv41xyQrkJ4k2g9M309

MINUTES of the forty-seventh meeting of the Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc., held at the Union Club, New york City, on March 8, 1955, at 11;00 a. m. (EST). There were present: Messrs. E. T. Asplundh Howard S. Bunn Leland I Doan F, J. Emmerich John Fennebresque Joseph Fistere A. E, Forster William C. Foster John L. Gillis R. K. Gottshall J. J. Kerrigan Charles S. Munson Thomas S. Nichols Hans Stauffer George M. Walker William H. Ward Rothe Weigel M, F. Crass, Jr. Alternates: M. Y, Seaton (for Paul L. Davies) Henry Gadsden (for J. J. Kerrigan) R. G. Ruark (for Ernest W,, Reid) William Engs (for Hans Stauffer) W, P,, Gage (for Charles E. Wilson) Sydney T, Ellis (for J. Albert Woods) Present by Invitation: John R. Bates ~ Sun Oil Company George R. Bryant ~ Jefferson Chemical Company, Inc. Thomas W, Elkinton - Philadelphia Quartz Company Ho So Ferguson - Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. Ho C. Kranzer ~ The Marblette Corporation Dr. Lewis H Marks - Publicker Industries, Inc. John E. McKeen - Chas. Pfizer & Co. , Inc. Henry H. Reichhold - Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. Bo M. Taylor - E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. , Inc. F. Ho Carman-Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. Marx Leva - Fowler, Leva, Hawes & Symington L GUESTS. A cordial welcome was extended to the guests by Chairman Emmerich. 11. MINUTES OF MEETING. Minutes of the meeting of February 8, 1955, were duly approved as sent to members. CMA 067238 III. TREASURER'S REPORT. (a) Monthly Report. The financial report for the period February 1 - 28, 1955 was reviewed, and ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the report be accepted and placed on file. (b) 1954 Chemical Payroll and Sales Data. In response to the Finance Committee's request of February 14 to members of the Board, approximately ten replies have been received listing 1954 chemical payroll and sales data, for use in evaluating Association financing plans and dues structure for fiscal 1955-56. The Chairman urged those members who have not yet responded to send their data promptly to the Washington office. IV. PRESIDENT'S REPORT. (a) Chemicals in Foods. Mr. Foster reported that the three bills introduced in Congress, to date, were all of the licensing type. In view of this, it appears most desirable that the Association proceed promptly with introduction of a bill embodying the MCA viewpoint, which is opposed to licensing. Consensus indicated advisability for such action, but before this step is taken, an additional effort will be made to reconcile differences of opinion between the chemical industry and some segments of the food industry. (b) Toxicological Institute. A summarization of many of the returns received from the questionnaire circulated last month to Board members indicates lack of support for further activity at this time. It was agreed, however, that an effort should be made to assemble complete returns and, in this connection, those Board members who have not yet responded are urged to do so promptly. (c) Canadian Chemical Manufacturers Association. Mr. Foster exerpted a recent letter from Mr. V. G, Bartram outlining progress made in organization of the proposed "Association of Canadian Chemical Manu facturers. " A further meeting of the organizing group will be held on March 17; additional data will be available after this date. According to Mr. Bartram, organizers of the new group desire a close working relation ship with MCA but, in view of the financial commitments which Canadian manufacturers will be called upon to make in support of the new group, it appears likely that existing Canadian representation in MCA can be continued only on the basis of a nominal membership fee, such as is now the case. Those present agreed that under our present By-Laws, fees for Canadian memberships can be maintained at their present level, but in any case should not exceed $1, 000 per year. CMA 067239 (d) ODM Executive Manpower Reserve Program. It was reported that a number of replies had been received from Board members, in response to the recent Association letter, and that five firms had submitted the names of qualified executives in this connection. (e) French Turnover Taxes. On February 23, President Foster addressed a letter to the Treasury Department, pointing out the importance of this matter to our member firms, and suggesting appropriate action by Government authorities. A reply, dated March 1, indicated limitations on the Government's ability to intervene, but assurance was given that the matter would be progressed. The matter has been referred back to the MCA Tax Policy Committee for further consideration. (f) Chemical Progress Week. About forty state chairmen have been appointed to date. In order to round out appointments, Mr. Foster requested assistance in naming personnel to take charge of Tennessee, Florida, and upper New York. A number of important speaking spots remain vacant, and assistance was requested in filling them. The program is pro gressing nicely, with preparations considerably advanced over last year at this time, CPW kits will be mailed from the Washington office later this week. (g) White House Conference. With reference to this conference which has been discussed in previous Board meetings, the Public Relations Policy and Advisory Committees have recommended that the Association participate in furthering the purpose of the conference in so far as is practicable, and that a special committee be appointed with members selected from the Board of Directors, Executive Contacts of member firms, and members of the PRAC, to determine and recommend to the Board what action should be taken in that regard. A number of names have been suggested for possible membership on this advisory group, and Chairman Emmerich advised that appointments.would be made within the near future. (h) Chemical Industries Facts Book. Work on the second edition of this publication is progressing. It is expected that it will be issued during the latter part of April, or early in May. A teaching guide will be prepared, to accompany the second edition, which should make the book even more valuable to secondary schools. V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) Public Relations Policy Committee. In the absence of Mr. J. A. Woods, Mr. Foster reported that a meeting of the Committee was held the previous evening to discuss the following subjects: (l) General Bulletin. Consideration was given to the format and content of this publication, in view of the assignment given the Committee at the January 1 1, 1955 meeting (Minute VI(5) - page (290)). The Committee agreed that the General Bulletin was an important Association project which should be continued; however, efforts should be made to improve appearance, readability, conciseness, and selectivity of text. The Association will take prompt steps to CMA 067240 (302) carry out this recommendation, and at the end of a several months period will seek a re-evaluation in order to obtain agreement on changes instituted. (2) Public Relations Budget, A tentative, over-all. Public Relations budget for fiscal 1955-56, amounting to $209,000, has been recommended for Board consideration. This budget compares with a Public Relations expenditure of approximately $180,000 during the current fiscal year and, in addition to maintaining present staff and services, includes provisions for industry-education cooperation, ($20,000) and TV film shorts ($4, 000). The foregoing will be considered by the Directors at the.j\pril 12, 1955 meeting, at which time an over-all Association budget will be presented for preliminary consideration. (b) Report of Alternates. Mr. Kerrigan requested that in view of Mr. Connor's assignment to other duties, Mr. Henry Gadsden be appointed as his alternate in Mr. Connor's place. ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That this appointment be approved. (c) Membership Committee. Mr. Kerrigan reported that applications for membership in the Association had been received from the following firms: Standard Oil Company (Ohio), Petrochemical Division, Quaker Oats Company, Chemical Division, and that the applicants appeared to be qualified for membership under the Association's By-Laws, 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. (d) Appointment of Nominating Committee. The following personnel were appointed to the Nominating Committee by the Board of Directors; Messrs, Paul L. Davies, Chairman E. T. Asplundh Charles S. Munson F. J. Emmerich, ex officio. VI. COMMITTEES. (a) Air Pollution Abatement Committee. The appointments of Mr. Walker Penfield as Chairman, and Mr, A. B. Pettit as Vice-Chairman of the Committee were approved. In addition, the appointment of Mr. R. D. Scott CMA 067241 (303) as a member of the Committee, replacing Mr, W,, I. Burt, was approved. ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: That a letter of appreciation, in behalf of the Board, be sent by the Secretary to Mr. Burt, in recognition of his past services to the Committee in the capacity of both member and Chairman. (b) General Safety Committee. The Secretary briefly reported on the overall 1954 frequency and severity rates of member firms, as set forth in a recent Association monthly report on this subject. The frequency rate for 1954 is at an all-time low - 3.27 injuries per million man hours of exposure. Also, the severity rate of 0.49 is the lowest for any year since the Association inaugurated the reporting service in 1946. (c) International Trade and Tariff Committee. (1) Customs Classification. The final report of the preliminary investigation concerning the tariff classification of chemicals, conducted by the Association's Subcommittee on Customs Classification, was submitted to the U. S. Tariff Commission on February 18. The study was undertaken to assist the Commission in preparing its preliminary report to the Congress, as directed in the Customs Simplification Act of 1954. With the conclusion of this phase of the work, it has been necessary for Mr. John Horan to resign the post as Subcommittee Chairman, effective early in April, although he will retain membership in the Task Subcommittee. It was agreed that Mr. R. F. Hansen should be appointed to the Chairmanship in Mr. Horan's place. It was the consensus of those present that the Customs Classification Subcommittee be commended for the time-consuming and creditable job which it has accomplished to date. (2) MCA Statements re H, R. I. Following clearance with the Executive Committee, Mr. Fred Singer appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee on January 27, A second appearance was made by Mr. Singer, on March 8, before the Senate Finance Committee. Copies of both statements, following clearance, were reproduced for circularization to member executives and to the press. (d) Public Relations Advisory Committee. (See also discussion under Public Relations Policy Committee). The appointment of Mr. A. E. Albright, Jr. Stauffer Chemical Company, as a member of the Committee, was approved, (e) Water Pollution Abatement Committee. (1) A brief report was made on the second Water Pollution Abatement Workshop which was held in Albany, New York, on February 16, Because of the success of these workshops in reaching plant supervision, a third workshop, covering the States of Indiana, northern Illinois, and Wisconsin, CMA 067242 (304) has been tentatively scheduled for Chicago, on April 13. 'l\ The Secretary briefly discussed Senate Bill 890 - To Extend and Strengthen fhe Water Pollu'ion Control Act. Because of the increased Federal responsibilities and authority set forth in the bill, representatives of MCA's Water Pollution Abatement Committee have made arrangements, through invitation, to discuss this legislation with officials of the U. S. Public Health Service in Washington., on March 14. Authorization was granted the Committee to present an appearance, in behalf of MCA, before the Senate Committee on Public Works, should it be decided by the Committee that such representation was warranted. (3) The appointment of Mr. V. C, Behn, Atlas Powder Company, as a member of the Committee, was approved. (f) Industrial Relations Advisory Committee. President Foster appeared before a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on March 4, to present the Association's position on the subject of policy with respect to the utilization of scientific and technical personnel. The Associa tion's testimony was based upon a resolution unanimously passed by the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee, and discussed at the February 8 meeting of the Board. (See Minute VI(a)) VII. MISCELLANEOUS (a) 83rd Annual Meeting, It was announced that a joint meeting of the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers' Association and Manufacturing Chemists' Association Program Committees would be held immediately following conclusion of the Board meeting. The official announcement and mailing will be sent to member executives during early April. (b) International Labor Organization. The Secretary presented a brief report on the Fourth Chemical Industries Meeting of ILO, which was held in Geneva during the period February 7 - 19, 1955. The complete report of the U. S, Employer delegates, Messrs, Crass, Dwyer, and O'Connell, will be circularized to Board members within the near future. (c) Technical Employees. Mr, B, M. Taylor, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc,, reported current developments bearing upon working relationships in this area. CMA 067243 T (305) There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was j unanimously resolved to adjourn. APPROVED: F, J. Emmerich Chairman M. F. Crass, Jr. Secretary During the luncheon period, the Board had as its guests (in addition to those attending the Board meeting) the following members of the SOCMA Program Committee: Mr. Frederick Baumann - Interchemical Corp. Mr. Max E. Gossweiler - Sandoz Chemical Works, Inc. Mr, T. B. Potter - Commercial Solvents Corp. CMA 067244