Document jyqdD8074mEjaBK24YERvQLbZ

DRAFT 3/15/51 (35) MINUTES of the seventh meeting of Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. , held at The Union Club, Park Avenue and 69th Street, New York City, on March 13, 1951, at 11:00 a. m, , Eastern Standard Time. There were present: Messrs. William M. Rand Charles S. Munson George W. Merck L. T. Beale W. M. Billing H. W. Fisher R. C. Gaugler H. O. C. Ingraham W. S. Landes C.D. Marlatt John E. McKeen R. L. Taylor M. F. Crass, Jr, Alternates: Walter Dannenbaum (for W. H. Ward) L. E. Erlandson (for J. W. McLaughlin) Absent: L. I. Doan D. S. Frederick W. S. Richardson P. T. Sharpies H. I. Young I, MINUTES OF THE MEETING The Minutes of the February 13, 1951, meeting were duly approved as sent to the members. II. TREASURER'S REPORT (a) The report of the Treasurer for the period February 1 to February 28, 1951," was reviewed, and On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the report be accepted and placed on file. HI. SECRETARY'S REPORT (a) New York City Flammable Regulations. The New York City Fire Commissioner's office is attempting to enforce regulations governing the packing, marking, testing and labeling of flammables and combustibles. CMA 066914 (36) The regulations are inconsistent with other municipal, state and federal requirements and are technically inaccurate in many respects. A number of conferences have been held by the city officials and a special M. C.A. com mittee, this being culminated in a letter addressed to the Commissioner by the Association dated March 5, 1951. We are attempting to defer the applica tion date, and if possible obtain a modification in the regulations. (b) Tank Cars. The Washington office has just completed a second survey on new tank car requirements of member firms through 1952. This has been forwarded to officials of the National Production Authority and Defense Transport Administration, with copies of our letter of transmittal dated March 7 sent to Member Executives. Average production of new cars during January and February 1951 was 200 cars, as compared with an expected Government steel allocation which would enable the production of 800 cars per month. (c) Technical Committee Meetings. Forthcoming meetings of the Air Pollution, Tank Car, Technical and Pollution Abatement Committees were announced. (d) N.P.A. Activities. The Secretary reported briefly on a conference with Mr. Thomas S. Nichols, Special Assistant to Mr. Manly Fleischmann, Director, National Production Authority. It was agreed that Mr. Nichols' request for assistance in lining up top chemical executives for temporary administrative jobs in Washington be referred to Member Executives, and that the Secretary draft such letter for the signature of Chairman Rand. A report was made on the current status of accelerated amortization and Certificates of Necessity for chemical plants. IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (a) M. C.A. Councillor on Chamber of Commerce of United States. Chairman Rand designated Mr. R. L. Taylor to represent the Association at the next annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. (b) Report of Nominating Committee. In the absence of Messrs. Taylor and Crass^Mr. Beale presented a progress report of the Nominating Committee. Further report will be made at the April or May Board meeting. (c) Budget Committee. A committee consisting of Messrs. McLaughlin, Taylor and Crass was appointed to draft a suggested budget for the forthcoming fiscal year. V. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Copies of reports prepared by Mr. Taylor dealing with (1) a Member Relations Program and (2) Public Relations Program were distributed to members and discussed. CMA 066915 (37) With reference to the Member Relations Program, On Motion duly made-and seconded, it was VOTED: That a committee be appointed to make arrangements for a fall meeting of the Association. Chairman Rand will announce the membership of this committee at the April Board meeting. With reference to the Public Relations Program and the budgetary recommendations contained therein, discussion indicated a feeling that the views of member firms be sought in relation thereto. On Motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That both reports be accepted and that the matter of ways and means to implement the programs be thoroughly discussed by the Executive Vice President and the Public Relations Committee with member firms, both large and small, in order to ascertain acceptance. In these discussions it will be desirable to develop a definite program and tie this in with budgetary requirements, with reports to be made back to the Board of Directors for further discussion. VI. COMMITTEES (a) General Safety Committee. Board members were presented with copies of Chemical Safety Data Sheet SD-38 on Ethylene Oxide. (b) Water Pollution Abatement Committee , Appointment of Mr. Walker Penfield, Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. , as member of Committee was approved. * VII, MISCELLANEOUS (a) Annual Meeting . Mr. Fisher reported that a tentative program involving talent taken almost entirely from Association membership rolls was being considered. The Secretary advised that a preliminary transportation survey was now underway in order to determine the necessary Pullman space requirements for those wishing to travel by rail. Mr. Munson advised that special plane accommodations for a limited number of executives would be available from New York City on the afternoon of June 13 and the Secretary will poll members of the Board in this respect. (b) I. L.O. Chemical Industry Meeting. Mr. Rand reported on his recent trip to London as a representative of the American chemical industry where he attended a meeting of the European I. L.O. Chemical Industry Employers Group. Purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposals which will come before the Geneva meeting in 1952. A full report on the meeting will be sent to each Board member by Mr, Rand within the near future. CMA 066916 (38) (c) Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act. Members were presented with a copy of the Association's statement presented before the Senate Finance Committee on February 28 relating to extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act. The Secretary reported on the appearance of Mr. Morris Rosenthal, a New York importer, who appeared before the Senate Finance Committee in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. Mr. Rosenthal opposed the House passed amendments which have been endorsed by the M.C.A. and many other industry groups and admitted during his testimony that he was expressing his personal views as an importer in connection with the extension legislation. The Secretary was authorized to send a letter to the Chamber in behalf of the M. C. A. , an organizational member of the Chamber, taking issue with Mr. Rosenthal's testimony, (d) Statement Before Interstate Commerce Commission on Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Members were presented with copy of the Association's verified statement filed by the Association with reference to Parts I - VI of the ICC Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. This was an affirma tion of the Association's previous contention that the Commission does not have the authority to exercise legal jurisdiction over private carriers o^property. a (e) Chemical Alliance. The Secretary reported thai/member of the Chemical Alliance has inquired as to the availability of the M.C.A. Defense Mobilization Reports, calling attention to a similar service which was rendered Chemical Alliance members during the last war. The Alliance was placed on an inactive status during 1946 and no dues have been collected since that year. It was agreed that the matter of whether the Chemical Alliance should be liquidated or reactivated be made the subject of discussion at an early Board meeting and that the Secretary ascertain the facts at issue and report to the Board. (f) Plastics Data Book. The Plastics Committee has voted to publish a revised edition of the Plastics Data Book, the cost to be underwritten by member plastics manufacturers. In order to recover a portion of the original investment for use in future revisions, it has been suggested that income from sale of the revised edition over and above Association distribution and overhead expenses be placed in a separate fund and earmarked for such future revision. The Secretary was directed to discuss this matter with the Treasurer and Legal Advisory Committee for an opinion prior to action by the Board. (e) Excess Profits Tax. Mr. Rand reported that a small number of mem ber firms had discussed the possibility of drafting a model clause for possible insertion in the Excess Profits Tax bill which would be applicable to chemical CMA 066917 (39) companies who have undergone rapid expansion during the past five year period and remove certain of the objections inherent in the present legisla tion. Additional member firms who are interested in this matter are invited to contact Chairman Rand direct. There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was unanimously resolved to adjourn. M. F. Crass, Jr. Secretary Approved: Chairman of the Board CMA 066918