Document np9RyVpxzDZbbp8d3vOREv271
MINUTES OF MEETING LEGAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Conference Room of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering 1666 K Street, N. W. , Washington, D. C.
April 8, 1975
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PRESENT
Brian D. Forrow, Chairman Bruce M. Barackman, Secretary Reginald C. Burroughs Albert A. Eustis J. H. Hanes Frank R. Lyon, Jr. Iver C. Macdougall Charles S. Maddock Neil R. Mitchell E. J. Mooney Douglas M. More Russell J. Parsons Edwin J. Futzell, Jr. Donald P. Walsh Charles E. Welch James I. Wyer
Lloyd N. Cutler John H. Pickering C. BoydenGray* ^(Present beginning with the
discussion of Item 5)
Allied Chemical Corporation Manufacturing Chemists Association Olin Corporation W. R. Grace & Co. Dow Chemical U. S. A. Union Carbide Corporation Stauffer Chemical Company Hercules Incorporated Velsicol Chemical Corporation Nalco Chemical Company Airco, Inc. Borg-Warner Corporation Monsanto Company Shell Oil Company E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company American Cyanamid Company
Outside Counsel Outside Counsel Outside Counsel
ABSENT
Robert A. Longman Arloe W. Mayne
Celanese Corporation Ashland Oil Company
The meeting convened at 10:00 a. m. with Brian Forrow, Chairman, presiding.
1. Proposed Rules of Organization and Procedure Consideration of the Rules of Organization and Procedure was postponed until the next meet ing of the Legal Advisory Committee (LAC). The Secretary was requested to provide each LAC member with a copy of the MCA Directory, latest MCA Annual Report, and the MCA Antitrust Guide. It was recommended meanwhile the Antitrust Guide be revised and updated by Outside Counsel.
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2. Memorandum from Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering re "Advocacy Before Governmental Bodies by the Manufacturing Chemists Association'' Mr. Cutler and Mr. Pickering supplied the background leading up to the pre paration ot the memo on advocacy; concluded that MCA can do more in this area, but such activity must be under the guidance of counsel; and emphasized that the critical area was the impact of jointly obtained information on compe tition as opposed to its impact on proposed legislation or regulations.
The memorandum, a thorough and professional legal treatment of advocacy, had been previously received as a communication to the LAC. There was general agreement with its recommendations and conclusions. Outside Counsel was requested to condense it to a four to five page recommenda tion of the role MCA can and should play, and include a reference to lobbying (registering requirements). This will be circulated to the LAC for comment, then sent to the Executive Committee as a communication from the LAC and Out side Counsel.
3. Proposal for Chemical Industry Response to Alleged Ozone
Depletion
Under existing legislative proposals Congress may be headed
toward adoption of a regulatory theory of banning certain existing products
allegedly a threat to public health pending proof that those products are safe.
This theory, if implemented, would have far reaching effects on the entire
chemical industry and must be dealt with in principle. It is already present
in the ozone depletion controversy as well as the toxic substances control
bill, and can be expected to appear as other environmental issues arise.
Mr. Welch will prepare a draft setting forth MCA's role and positions which can be taken by MCA in regard to these "burden of proof" and related questions. The draft will be circulated to the LAC for comment before being forwarded to the Executive Committee for consideration.
4.
Arnstein Suit
Mr. Pickering brought the LAC up to date on
the status of this action in Philadelphia federal court against MCA and others
and stated that information packets were available for each member contain
ing the complaint, MCA's motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction and
failure to state a claim, and plaintiff's opposition to that motion.
5.
Toxic Substances Control Bill, S. 776
Mr. Cut1 or and
Mr. Gray reported on the status of this legislation and MCA's efforts to
secure changes on points of major interest. Those points and the changes
being advocated were discussed in terms of the most recent MCA mark-up
of March 24. The LAC members will be supplied with copies of that mark
up and a list of relative priorities. The need was noted for prompt reactions
to various alternatives and suggestions as the legislation moves through mark
up. It was agreed that Outside Counsel would keep the LAC members general
ly informed, and that they would coordinate with their executives and would
seek to provide quick response capability. It was noted that Outside Counsel
should be given copies of all member company statements on the legislation.
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6. Antitrust Compliance There was no discussion of the HartScott bill, S. 1284, which had been sent to LAC members in advance of the meeting. The general matter of antitrust compliance was covered in the discussion of Item 1 and 2 above,
7 "Burden of Proof" Provision in Environmental Legislation This matter was covered in the discussion of Item 3 above.
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p, m.
Minutes subject to approval April 16, 1975 BMB:gr
Bruce M. Barackman Secretary
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