Document oDmV239vOBKYRR1LqenZNQ2w7

(621) MINUTES of the ninety-first meeting of the Directors of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc., held at the Union Club, New York City, on September 15, 1959, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). There were present: Messrs. Bruce K. Brown Howard S. Bunn Pete r Colefax John T. Connor Roy F. Coppedge, Jr. Lee V. Dauler David H. Dawson J. Robert Fisher Joseph Fistere A. E. Forster Marlin G. Geiger John L. Gillis John R. Hoover John E. Hull W. G. Malcolm Theodore Marvin R. C. McCurdy Charles S. Munson Thomas S. Nichols Carl F. Prutton Robert B. Semple George R. Vila M. F. Crass, Jr. H. B. McClure (ex officio) Alternates: A. E. Albright (for Hans Stauffer) Harry S. Ferguson (for Glen B. Miller) Henry L. Ford (for James C. White) William P. Gage (for Marlin G. Geiger) John S. Gates (for L. G. Bliss) W. T. D. Ross (for Peter C. Allen) General Counsel: Marx Leva - Fowler, Leva, Hawes & Symington Present by Invitation: K. E. Mulford - Atlas Powder Company % Chairman Connor called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). He welcomed the new Directors and expressed the Board's appreciation to Mr. Charles S. Munson for again arranging meeting facilities at the Union Club and Links Club. I. MINUTES OF JUNE 10 AND JUNE 11, 1959, MEETINGS. (a) The Minutes of the June 10 meeting were duly approved as submitted, with the following addition under Item IV, (d), (3) (Report of Education Advisory Committee): ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the sincere thanks of the Directors be extended to Mr. Perry for his substantive accomplishments in behalf of the Association during his tenure as Chairman of the Education Advisory Committee. CMA 067670 (622) (b) The Minutes of the June 11, 1959, meeting were duly approved as submitted to the members. II. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Chairman Dawson stated that a meeting of the Executive Committee had been held at 8:30 a.m. that morning and that most of the items discussed would be taken up in their respective places on the Board agenda. However, he specifically referred to the following items: (a) Regional Directors' Meetings. The Executive Committee has requested the staff to prepare a suggested schedule of such meetings for approximately five years ahead. This will be presented to the Directors for consideration in due course. (b) Attendance at Annual Meetings. Because of record attendance and congestion of facilities at The Greenbrier during the past several annual meetings, the Executive Committee has also requested the staff to study the matter and formulate recommendations for later consideration. III. REPORT OF THE TREASURER. (a) Financial Report, June - August 1959. The financial report for the three months ending August 31, 1959, was summarized by the Treasurer. ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the report be accepted and placed on file. (b) Financial Report, 87th Annual Meeting. The Treasurer reported Annual Meeting income of $25, 132. Expenses (all bills are not yet paid) will approxi mate $12,000. Net income approximating $13,000 will be transferred to the operating account in accordance with financing arrangements previously approved by the Board. (c) Status of Membership Fee Collections. The Treasurer reported five members in arrears as of September 14. These members have been sent follow-up letters, and it is anticipated that all accounts will be closed within the near future. (d) Status of Educational Contributions. To date, 100 member firms have contributed a total of $149,442. There have been 13 refusals. This compares with 93 contributing companies last year. IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) Appointment of Alternates. The appointment of carry-over alternates, as listed on the Directors' roster circulated to those present, was approved. Chair man Connor then stated that those Directors not having alternates and who wished them should submit nominations to the Secretary promptly in order that they may be acted upon by the Board of Directors at the October 20 meeting. CMA 067671 (b) Resignation of Glen B. Miller. Under date of August 26, Mr. Miller wrote Chairman Connor advising of his retirement as President and chief executive officer of Allied Chemical Corporation, effective September 1, and presented his resignation as a member of the Association's Board of Directors effective on that date. ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That Mr. Miller's resignation be accepted with regret. (c) Appointment of Board Committees. The Chairman referred to appointment and ratification of members of the Executive, Finance, and Member ship Committees at a special meeting of the Directors on June 11, 1959, and then presented nominations for the remaining Committees of the Board as follows: Nominating Committee R. W. Thomas, Chairman Mark E. Putnam George R. Vila John T. Connor (ex officio) Program Committee -- I960 Howard S. Bunn, Chairman L. G. Bliss Roy F. Coppedge, Jr. J. Robert Fisher A. E. Forster Theodore Marvin James C. White Public Relations Policy Committee R. C. McCurdy, Chairman A. E. Forster Fred C. Foy Marlin G. Geiger John R. Hoover W. G. Malcolm Theodore Marvin Robert B. Semple Arthur Northwood, Jr. (ex officio) ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That all appointments be approved. The appointment of Mr. J. F. Shanklin, replacing Kenneth H. Hannan as a member of the Finance Committee, was approved. (d) Membership Committee. In Mr. Thomas' absence, the Secretary reported that applications had been received from: Dow Chemical of Canada, Limited Du Pont of Canada Limited Kay-Fries Chemicals, Inc. and that, in the opinion of the Membership Committee, the applicants were qualified for membership under the Association's By-Laws. CMA 067672 (624) ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That the three applications be approved, subject to the 30-day notification to members provided under Article III, Section 4, of the By-Laws. The Secretary then read the names of a number of chemical manu facturers who have expressed possible interest in joining MCA and with whom personal contacts have been made or correspondence interchanged. Directors having personal contacts with officers of these firms were invited to urge facilitation of applications of qualified manufacturers. It was reported that the application of Scientific Design Company, Inc. , had been withdrawn. (e) Program Committee -- November 24, 1959, Semi-Annual Meeting. Chairman Gillis reported that Dr. Vannevar Bush, Chairman of the Board, Merck & Co. , Inc. , had accepted the dinner speaking assignment and that Mr. Peter C. Allen, President, Canadian Industries Limited, and General Hull would deliver short addresses at the luncheon session. Mr. Gillis then stated that the Program Com mittee had agreed on a panel program of six topics and that moderators or sponsoring committees had been lined up for each, as follows: (1) Education. (2) International Chemical Operations. (3) Business and Government Relations. (4) Plastics in Building. (5) Marketing Challenge Implicit in Industry Growth. (6) Current Problems in Industrial Relations. As in the past, the meeting will be held at the Statler Hilton, New York City, and technical details have already been arranged with the hotel manage ment. November 23, 1959, Directors1 Meeting. This meeting will again be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the American Iron and Steel Institute, located in the Socony Mobil Building, New York City. (f) October 19 - 20, 1959, Regional Directors' Meeting at Montreal. After opening remarks by General Hull, Mr. W. T. D. Ross was called upon to describe details for this meeting. Mr. Ross referred to the Secretary's circular letter to the Directors, dated September 11, which set forth complete schedules and to which were attached registration forms and hotel reservation cards. CMA 067673 * (625) The meeting will open at 9:15 a. m. on Monday, October 19, with a bus tour of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Luncheon will follow in the Officers' Mess, Headquarters, Air Defense Comnjand of Canada, St. Hubert Airport, and a tour of the installation will take place after lunch. At 6:00 p.m. , a reception and dinner will be held with MCA registrants and leaders of the Montreal business community as guests of approximately 25 Canadian chemical manufacturing firms. The Directors' meeting will be held at 10:45 a.m. the next day and will be followed by a brief recep tion and luncheon to which have been invited the top executives of both member and non-member Canadian chemical firms. Speakers at the Monday evening dinner will be Mr. G. Arnold Hart, President of the Bank of Montreal, and Mr. John T. Connor, MCA Chairman. Mr. Peter C. Allen, President, Canadian Industries Limited, will act as Toastmaster. Invitations to the Monday evening affair are being handled by Mr. Ross and his local committee, with invitations to the Tuesday events issuing from MCA headquarters. Mr. Connor then outlined the general theme of his Monday evening address. This was discussed by those present and will deal with common economic, problems and factors of mutual concern to Canadian and U. S. chemical manufac turers . (g) March I960 Regional Directors' Meeting. General Hull reported that he had received letters from Messrs. Ernest Hart and Hans Stauffer inviting the Board of Directors to hold its March I960 meeting at Pebble Beach, California, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of that month. Included in Mr. Stauffer's invitation was reference to a reception and dinner for the MCA group in San Francisco on the evening preceding the Directors' meeting. Discussion indicated that the week of February 28 or the latter part of the week of March 6 would be preferable to some. ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED; That the invitation be accepted with thanks and that the matter of dates be taken up with Mr. Hart. (h) Proposed International Operations Committee. General Hull reported that, following receipt of questionnaires from member firms in response to the Secre tary's letter of July 4, approximately 70 replies had been received, 60 of which favor the setting up of an international operations activity within the Association and indicating cooperation and possible committee representation. A meeting of an ad hoc group of member international relations experts, assembled by the MCA staff, met in New York City on August 13 and discussed results of the questionnaire. General conclusions of this group were then read to the Directors. Following discussion, ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was ^ CMA 067674 (626) VOTED: That there be established an International Operations Com mittee, with membership to be selected from the executives of member companies' international organizations or activities; That Terms of Reference for such International Operations Committee be drafted by the staff in collaboration with General Counsel, for consideration and promulgation by the Board of Direc tors at an early meeting; That pending the promulgation by the Board of Directors of the specific Terms of Reference referred to above, the International Operations Committee (working in close cooperation with the Inter national Trade and Tariff Committee) shall concern itself with the type of international operating problems suggested by the Ad Hoc Com mittee on International Operations at its meeting on August 13, 1959. Following recommendation by the staff, those present approved the appointment by the Chairman of Mr. T. G. Hughes, Oronite Chemical Company, as Chairman of the new Committee. (i) Trade with Soviet Russia. General Hull stated that, following press reports that an Italian chemical manufacturer had recently sold chemical processes and know-how to the Soviets, he had called on Secretary of Commerce Frederick H. Mueller to apprise him of this development and to urge that steps be taken by the U. S. Government to inform the Italian Government and other allied governments of the position of the U. S. chemical industry on this subject. The Secretary, in company with Assistant Secretary Kearns, reiterated their agreement and promised to take steps along the line requested. Contacts were also made by the MCA President with the Italian Ambassador and a U. S. representative of the Italian firm referred to. Reference was then made to a one-page memorandum, dated September 11, entitled "Statement which can be used in Answer to Queries from Publications. " This statement reiterates and summarizes the Association's recommended Govern mental policy of strong opposition to the sale to Russia of product know-how or plants for making key basic or intermediate chemical products. It was pointed out by those present that the wording of the first paragraph of the statement might be construed to indicate that this was a matter of industry policy, whereas the Association has urged the Government to adopt such a policy. The statement will be amended, and a revised draft will be attached to these Minutes. (j) Amended By-Laws Issued. The Secretary distributed copies of the By-Laws which were reprinted to include amendments adopted by the membership at the June 11, 1959, Annual Meeting. A revised application form, amended in accordance with the new By-Laws, was also distributed. V. TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. The following committee appointments were approved: CMA 067675 (627) (a) Ammonium Nitrate Technical Committee. P. W, Tucker, Phillips Petroleum Company, as Chairman. C. O. Davis, E. I. du Pont de Nemours &c Co., Inc. Robert Hendricks, The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited. H. W, Jervis, Hercules Powder Company, Inc. S. B. Johnson, Monsanto Chemical Company. R. M. Jones, Allied Chemical Corporation. Ralph D. Miller, Spencer Chemical Company L. E. Sentz, American Cyanamid Company. L. A. Stengel, Commercial Solvents Corporation. Donald M. Stromquist, United States Steel Corporation. W. J. Taylor, Atlas Powder Company. W. G. McKenna, Bureau of Explosives, as Associate Member. (b) Chemical Packaging Committee. R. E. Bittner, Diamond Alkali Company, replacing J. O. King. (c) Committee on Tank Cars, Tank Trucks, and Portable Tanks. L. H. Machelor, Hooker Chemical Corporation, replacing P. T. Brewbaker. (d) Education Advisory Committee. Elbert W. Burr, Monsanto Chemical Company. Brian M. Greenman, Merck & Co., Inc. (e) Food Additives Committee. L. E. Jackson, Victor Chemical Works, replacing J. M. Gillet. Norman G. White, Shell Chemical Corporation. (f) Government Liaison Technical Committee on Metals. Colin I. Bradford, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., replacing J. B . Sutton. (g) Hydrogen Peroxide Technical Committee. Harlow G. Hyatt, Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, as Chai rman. (h.) Industrial Alcohol Technical Committee. Warren E. Olsen, Shell Chemical Corporation, replacing M. M. Rosson. (i) Industrial Relations Advisory Committee. G. Gordon Mitchell, E, I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., as Chair man. Carl H. Hageman, Union Carbide Corporation, as Vice Chairman. C. R. Brown, Diamond Alkali Company. CMA 067676 (628) (j) Nuclear Committee. W. Frederick Luckenbach, Jr., Foote Mineral Company, replacing James Fentress. (k) Tax Policy Committee. Edwin J. Futzell, Jr. , Monsanto Chemical Company, as Chairman. (l) Traffic Committee. O. L. Culbreth, Tennessee Corporation, replacing J. H. Jentzen. G. J. Derrick, Phillips Petroleum Company. (m) Washington Advisory Committee. Harry A. Kuhn, Allied Chemical Corporation, as Chairman. The attention of Directors was called to the fact that a number of Com mittee Chairmen and members of long service were retiring from Association com mittee activity or were relinquishing their chairmanships. The Secretary was authorized to write letters of appreciation in behalf of the Board of Directors to the individuals listed: W, A. Crichley, Diamond Alkali Company. J. H. Foulger, M.D., E. I. du Pont de Nemours k Co. , Inc. J. M. Gillet, Victor Chemical Works. F. J. O'Connell, Allied Chemical Corporation. Nicholas M. Walker, Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation. VI. STAFF REPORT AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. (a) Proposed Food Additives Project. At the invitation of Chairman Connor, Mr. Kenneth E. Mulford, Chairman, MCA Food Additives Committee, out lined current food additives problems at the international, national, state, and local levels and made certain recommendations concerning staff additions. A summariza tion of Mr. Mulford's presentation follows: At a special meeting of the MCA Food Additives Committee on July ` 28, 1959, it was pointed out that there are a growing number of problems incident to the passage of the Food Additives Amendment of 1958 now con fronting the industry. Food additive questions have arisen on the international, national, state, and local levels, as well as in connection with cooperative efforts with other trade associations, which have imposed serious burdens on the members of the Association and which, in the opinion of the Committee, the existing permanent staff of the Association is unable to handle in the light of the expanded scope which problems in this area are acquiring. It was sug gested that the Committee consider whether it is desirable for MCA to con tinue to assist the Association's membership in the solution of these problems, and whether, if continued assistance is desirable, the MCA staff should be supplemented with permanent personnel specializing in the area of food addi tives. CMA 067677 (29) ON MOTION duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: That MCA continue its efforts toward the solution of industry's problems occasioned by the passage of the Food Additives Amendment of 19 58; and, in this connection, that MCA employ or assign as part of its technical staff or on a consultative basis a specialist capable of dealing with those problems involving food additives and other regulated chemicals in the food field which fall within MCA's appropriate scope of interest and activity. Addi tionally, the Association will utilize the personnel available in the office of General Counsel. (b) Public Relations and Education. Public Relations and Education Activity Reports for the summer months were summarized in separate memoranda handed to those present. The food additives PR program is now under way; the 4th Edition of the MCA Facts Book will come off the press October 15; and a popular book on chemistry, entitled "Understanding Chemistry, " started several years ago, will be published in October by Interscience Publishers, Inc. With reference to the education program, it was pointed out that an agreement has been signed with Henry Holt and Company under which MCA has turned over to the publisher a major part of its General Science and Senior High School Pro grams. The elementary school program is being implemented, and a Careers publica tion is being published. Final prints of the two films authorized last year, "OxidationReduction" and "The Chemistry of Water, " are expected to be ready this fall. (c) Technical Program. Attached to these Minutes is a summary report of some of the more important technical activities conducted during the summer months, including research projects, technical publications issued, transportation, labeling, pollution abatement, and miscellaneous projects. Reference was specifically made to the following items; (1) Chemical Minimum Wage Redetermination. This proceeding, under the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, and scheduled for hearing in Washington on July 20, has been indefinitely post poned. The Association's insistence that the proceeding consider regional differentials rather than interpret the term "locality" under the Act on a nation-wide basis, is believed to be partially responsible for the postponement. (2) Ammonium Nitrate Technical Committee. Reference was made to stepped up activities of this Committee as a result of the August 7 truck explosion at Roseburg, Oregon, involving dyna mite and a blasting agent. Completion of a model ordinance is being rushed in cooperation with other national organizations. (3) Reactive Metals. The newly constituted Reactive Metals Steering Committee held its initial meeting on August 5, at which time the CMA 067678 *m (630) subcommittee organization, now operating under the several technical and functional committees, was considered, and other items, including imports, tariffs, safety, and industrial rela tions were discussed. (d) Legislative. General Hull briefly discussed status and disposition of Federal legislation of interest to the chemical industry and to MCA. A detailed report will be made to all member firms in an early issue of the General Bulletin. (e) Federal Trade Commission Visit. Minutes of the May 12, 1959, meeting of the Board include reference to a visit to the Association's offices on the part of a Federal Trade Commission attorney who requested information and access to certain technical committee minutes and publications stemming from. 1954 to date. Several weeks ago, a second FTC investigator called and requested access to file material, including minutes, records, and correspondence relating to recommended standards for trisodium phosphate containers (1938-1940), minutes of the Traffic Committee for the period 1926-1941, and minutes of the Executive Committee for the period 1906-1941. The investigator reviewed this material on the premises during the ensuing weeks and spent considerable time with the Secretary and members of his staff with respect to explanation and clarification of various projects and points. The Association was then requested to prepare and transmit to FTC for its permanent file on the subject a considerable portion of the material covered on the premises by the investigator. Consultation with General Counsel was maintained by the staff during this entire period. On the advice of Counsel, it was agreed that the Secretary should compile and supply to the Federal Trade Commission copies of the various materials requested, this to be done at Association expense. There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was unanimously resolved to adjourn. M. F. Crass, Jr. Secretary APPROVED: John T. Connor Chai rman 2 Attachments CMA 067679 September 16, 1959 STATEMENT WHICH CAN BE USED IN ANSWER TO QUERIES FROM PUBLICATIONS Increasing attention on Soviet-U.S. relations occasioned by recent or forth.0ming events has brought from the Manufacturing Chemists' Association reitera tion of the industry's strong recommendation that the United States Government oppose the sale to Russia of production know-how or plants for making key basic and intermediate chemical products. It is emphasized that the industry's recommendation to the Government on this flatter, which was first expressed more than a year ago, does not concern sale to the Soviets of chemical end products themselves. Under present conditions, it still appears quite evident that sale of our valuable production know-how or plants for making synthetic fibers, plastics or synthetic rubbers would obviously be against the national interest. The specific items on the Russian Chemical plant shopping list are those for which it is widely known that the U. S. has a long technological lead. Such a move would only permit the Soviets to continue to concentrate their scientific and technical manpower on devices and schemes by which they could destroy the Free World. The MCA's recommendation for Government policy on chemical plants and know how points out that such sales to Russia would not only contribute to that nation's military strength, but also that the proposed purchases could be used by them in the economic warfare which has been declared openly against the West. , The MCA has expressed the industry viewpoint on several occasions since the question first arose in the summer of 1958. U. S. agencies and other Government bodies have been urged not to relax policies with respect to such trade with Russia. Representations also have been made that our Government endeavor to get other Western nations to follow a similar policy. # CMA 067680 * V MC A--Septembe r 15, 1959 TECHNICAL ACTIVITY PROGRESS REPORT To the Board of Directors: The following summary includes references to some of the more important technical activities conducted during the summer months: 1. Research Projects. On August 31, the new MCA project on elimination of tastes and odors from public water supplies began at the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. Extension of the Carnegie Tech Project on the Properties of Chemi cal Compounds to cover spectral data is under way. Member research contacts have been invited to supply unpublished data and also information on the availability of spectral test equipment. Splendid cooperation is being obtained from member firms. 2. Publications. Issued during the summer months were: (a) Chemical Safety Data Sheet SD-75, Vinyl Acetate. (b) Chemical Safety Data Sheet SD-76, Diethylenetriamine. (c) Revised MCA By-Laws. (d) Proceedings of the 1959 Air and Water Pollution Conference. (e) Proceedings of the 87th Annual Meeting of the Association. (f) Chemical Statistics Handbook, Supplement No. 3. To be issued shortly are: (a) Revision of Manual A-10, Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate, (b) Proceedings of the 1959 Transportation Conference, and (c) A series of safety guides to cover general subjects not dealt with in the over-all safety data sheet series. 3. Walsh-Healey Minimum Wage. The minimum wage redetermination hear ing for the industrial chemicals industry under the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, set for July 20, was indefinitely postponed by the U. S. Department of Labor. It is believed that principal reason for the postponement stems from MCA insistence that the proceeding consider regional differentials rather than interpret the term "locality" under the Act on a nation-wide basis. The miscellaneous chemical pro ducts determination, including pesticides, antifreeze products, and cleaners, has also been deferred. The Association will continue to collect data and will be pre pared should either proceeding be reactivated. 4. Ammonium Nitrate. The previously-planned program of the Ammonium Nitrate Technical Committee has been speeded up and extended because of the August 7 truck explosion at Roseburg, Oregon, involving dynamite and blasting agent. The Committee is rushing completion of a model ordinance covering the handling and storing of fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate, which will be issued by the National Fire Protection Association. An extended and revised MCA Manual A-10 will be published during October. ICC hearings at Roseburg early in September were attended by a staff member, since the Commission's findings may be of importance CMA 067681 on an over-all basis to all shippers of regulatory products. MCA is cooperating closely with National Plant Food Institute with reference to this entire subject. ^ 5. Transportation. MCA has conducted a cost-of-ownership study on tank cars, in cooperation with the Association of American Railroads, with a view to a possible increase in the existing tank car mileage allowance rate. Legislation amending the Transportation of Explosives Act, deemed undesirable by private shippers, was objected to in a statement filed by MCA with the Senate Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee during August. 6. Labeling. MC A participated in industry meetings, and with Food and Drug officials, with respect to FDA proposals to amend pending household labeling legislation. On August 31, the Chairman of the MCA LAPI Committee testified before the Senate Commerce Committee and endorsed S. 1283. ( l 7. Pollution Abatement. The Association filed a statement with the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee this summer, commenting on pending air pollution bills. H. R. 7476, endorsed by MCA, was reported out, but stands little chance of passage. Association representatives appeared twice before Pennsylvania legisla tive committees to discuss proposed air pollution bills pending in the legislature. An air pollution abatement workshop has been scheduled for Texas on October 9. 8. Metals. The newly-constituted Reactive Metals Steering Committee held; its first meeting on August 5. It discussed problems on imports, tariffs, plant safety, industrial relations, and disposal of strategic stockpile materials and reviewed programs of the Metals Subcommittee Organization now operating under j the several technical and functional committees. During the summer, a spokesman! from the Government Liaison Technical Committee on Metals presented testimony j before the House Committee on Agriculture relating to extension of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act and its provisions concerning barter of j agricultural surpluses for strategic ore and minerals. 9. Miscellaneous Projects. (a) The Hydrogen Peroxide Technical Committee has recently completed the drafting of engineering design recommendations for bulk storage facilities for product concentrations both above and below 52 percent. These will be published j as MCA Manuals of Recommended Practice in the near future. ! (b) ASTM Committee E-15 on the Analysis and Testing of Industrial ! Chemicals, for which MCA acts as secretariat, has completed its organization. An indication of the importance attached to this project by the chemical industry is ' shown by the fact that 60 chemical companies are participating through over 100 individuals on the Committee and its subcommittees. CMA 067682 -3(c) Organization of an American Standards Association Sectional Com mittee under MCA sponsorship, to recommend procedure and standards for heat exchange equipment, has been completed, and its program is progressing. 10. Plastics. Program during the summer months has been active. Some of the items include: (a) Negotiations with Underwriters' Laboratories on firesafe appliances, (b) educational program and legislative activity on thin-film plastic bags in conjunction with Society of the Plastics Industry, (c) fire-safe studies applicable to the use of plastics in construction, and (d) continuation of the funda mental studies at Case and MIT, CMA 067683