Document p3a8BBa2drrD0O7ZNGvYy5Ow

January 14, 1945 AIR MAIL Mr* C. L. Blsso-Gill, The Associated Ethyl Company, Ltd., Paseo Colon, 285, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bear Charlie I an not at all surprised at the eentents of your letter of December 25* It is quite to be expected that there would be difficulties in keeping mixing operations within normal limits. This is an emergency situation, and we shall simply, have to do the best that ve can* Hovever, I do vent to give you my general vieva on the vhole problem. In general, I have been opposed to the use of two or more sets of mixing operators at an individual plant, since this merely increases the number of persons exposed and decreases to some de gree, the responsibility of a given wan for the strict maintenance of the plant and for following the regulations precisely. The general purpose of limiting the number of mixes to a specific number vas to make it necessary to enlarge the equipment in keeping with any increases in commercial operations. To illus trate vhat I mean, - a very small plant consisting of a small storage space and a small mixing tank, may be very satisfactory at the start. However, if the volume of gasoline needed in creases, the storage space should be enlarged and the tankage should be adequate to furnish approximately a week's supply of gasoline. If the attempt is made to continue expanded opera tions with the small equipment. It may be necessary to mix every day or two. Ve have watched this and have insisted that the tankage be adequate for the commercial operations at all times* You will see, of course, that this general purpose is defeated if one simply looks at it from the point of view of frequency of mixing on the part of an individual man. If one meets this situation by supplying first one and then another extra set of mixing men, the plant remains unchanged and the exposure involves an increasing number of men. We shall proba bly be able to do very little about this at present, and yet X would not want the refinery management to get the idea that they can solve this problem merely by increasing the mixing per sonnel. Therefore, if I were you, I should proceed cautiously with this idea, lest it become a more or less standard technique for meeting the problem. Under normal conditions this problem K& 0010588 Kr. C. L. Bisso-Gill - (2) - January 14, 194? should be met In only one v a y , - that Is, by adapting the .. equipment to the commercial needs. I should like to stress one further point. Regardless of the frequency of mining, there vill be little or no risk to the individual nan so long'as the mixing plants are kept in perfect order and so long as the men follov the regulations rellgously. These are the points that need to be stressed. With these re servations I am quite in agreement vith your proposal for hand ling the problem during the persent difficult period. Vith re spect to the frequency of examination of the men by a physician, your point of viev is entirely correct . Vhen it is feasible to do so, the men should be examined more frequently, and the plants and equipment should be looked after more carefully. Vith kindest personal regards and best vishes for a good Hew Year from both hucile and myself. X sav Les Roberts about ten days ago, and he sent his greetings to you. r Sincerely yours, RAK ef trogerr^Tte^';"!';n: K E 0010539