Document pBrn6m0gZzMgBBqMob6bLOBnj

February 27# 19^3 Mr. S. M. Vagner, Ethyl Corporation, 977 Vest Sixth Street, Los Angeles, California. Dear San: ' Thanks very much for your letter of February 15. The infor mation you have given me is helpful, and moreover, your suggestion that additional information could be obtained eithei-* by yourself or one of your associates, is a good one. I should very much appreciate it if you would see what further information can be obtained. I think it is hardly necessary for you to do it yourself, unloss you have the time and inclination. X am entirely willing to leave it to your judgment as to who should make the attempt, and how it should be done. Following our telephone conversation, I had occasion to speak at some length with Colonel Rasmussen,of the Quartermasters Department, in Washington, who ha3 the responsibility for the development and use of the army stove which is designed to use leaded gasoline as a fuel. I discussed this matter* with him and gave him all the information you had given me, being careful to point out to him that anything that we had done in the matter had come about as the result of requests through various channels, for advice and assistance; that we had no wish to meddle in the affairs of the Army or make trouble for them, but we were quite willing to give any possi ble assistance. On receiving this information, Colonel Rasmussen promised to look into the matter carefully, and also tactfully, and to report back to me what he had dis covered, if he felt that I should be of any further service. Meanwhile, I promised not to write to the Medical Officers or to raise any further questions that might increase the apprehension of people in the camp and raise difficulties that might otherwise not occur. It Is for these reasons that I am particularly interested in getting some first hand infor mation. I am quite willing to work co-operatively with the Army people, but I am not willing to have this thing white washed and hushed up if there are troubles on the way. I am not well enough acquainted with Rasmussen to know whether he is likely to follow the ostrich policy,which is so common in k'E 0009 '"i r\ O^ Mr. S. M. Vagner - (2) - February 27, 19*3 certain governmental circles. Consequently I should like to knov the facts, and I think you are in a position to obtain them without bias, and without producing any diffi culties for anyone. On the basis of facts, I could go to the Surgeon General of the Army and point out that a situa tion is developing about which something should be done. I have very easy access to the Office of the Surgeon General * but I am only willing to use it when it i3 necessary. 'With kindest personal regards. Sincerely yours. TAK ef fiohert'A. Kehoe, '& >. HE 0009533