Document nvgDkaRaLbJDMJZZGLBaXx7m

} f October 50, 1935 Mr. / E. Mittnacht Ethyl Gasoline Corporation Chrysler Building New York City New York Dear Mr. Mittnacht* Among other matters which I discussed with Mr. Schaefer at the Manufacturing Plant a few days ago, I discovered that increasing difficulties have arisen in various places over the manner of transportation of Ethyl Fluid. Various companies, among which I might a mention prominently the Standard Oil of New Jersey, have Tr*" attempted to make their own arrangements for the trans portation of Fluid. In so doing they have on occasion failed to take into account the precautionary measures which we have felt it necessary to take. They have attempted to transport drums of Fluid in Unsatisfactory trucks and they have empl oyed water transportation companies that_have been either hesitant or unwilling to carry out the instructions issued by the Corporation. We can not deny that the transportation of Ethyl Fluid is one of the'most serious problems with which we have to deal from the point of view of safety. We must recognize that with the best possible precautions, accidents may occur from time to time which may be productive of very great difficulties. It is up to us to minimize the possi bility of these occurrences to the greatest possible extent. It would seem to me, therefore, that in the interests of safety in the transportation of this product, the Corporation must eventually take the attitude that it must prescribe in detail the methods of transportation used both by itself and its customers. It does not appear to me that any ar bitrary stand on this point has any less justification than our equally unusual medical regulations on refinery employees. Both of these measures have as their primary purpose the promotion of safety which is bound to be a moral obligation on the part cf the Corporation always. I wonder, therefore, if it would not be wise if a definite understanding be arrived at with the customers of the Corporation in order to this question of transportation. I do not propose to prescribe the manner of arriving at such an understanding but it might be found necessary or advisable to have this understanding Incorporated in the contract in the same 0000527 2 Mr, A* E. Mittnacht fashlon that other regulations involving safety have been incorporated. 1 shall he pleased to have you and your associates give some thought to this question, end let me know what you think Very truly yours, RAKsIS Robert A* eiioe, if.b. k. 0000528