Document peggVK267X1XkVEKmvJDb02zd

January 24, 1929 Mr. E. W. Webb, Ethyl Gasoline Corp., 25 Broadway, '... New York City*' . Dear Mr. Webb: , . ^ -y. . } ; v.. \ ] .. ' ` ... Some days ago I received ;a letter from Jordan saying that a new type of equipment had beenfinstalled by the Standard Oil of Indiana at Green Bay and tht it was in operation. In or der to make certain of the nature bf this equipment and of its manner of operation I asked Mr. SiebeUthaler to visit the plant, inspect the equipment and have a talk With Mr. Jordan about the entire situation. Upon his return[yesterday Siebenthaler inform ed me that the equipment at Green Bay is working fairly satisfac torily. This equipment is a tank car filling apparatus making use, of an eductor instead of a pum|>. It is a great Improvement over the old equipment at this point. Meanwhile, however, noth ing has been done at Bay City andjat certain other points, and It is my fear that the same type of equipment, which is working . at Green Bay will he installed at iihese other points. This would be 'objectionable for the following reasons.. This system requires daily mixing during;peak Months since it does not con template the use of storage at alls. We are not permitting other customers, of the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation to consider-the use of this typ of equipment. In fact, we are objecting seriously in many instances to frequent mixejs which are mad necessary by inadequate storage. Thus it is utterly inconsistent to allow the largest handler of Ethyl Gasoline to proceed In this fashion. We do not hve a leg to stand on lh asking for fehja co-operative action of other companies when we permit this type of behavior on the part of the Standard Gil of; Indiana. j' Not only are the, aboy things true but the situatlon Is even worse. The equipment; at Green Bay was installed without Jordan's knowledge or approval and without asking; him for suggestions. Furthermore Jordan is quite unable at this time to find out anything at. all ais to the plans of the Standard Oil Company at other points which! we have brought; to their at tention. He is not sure that they will, not begin tomorrow, to Install an equipment which, is adequate according to their notion, but which Is completely inadequate according to ours. That; this Is a serious situation is indicated by the fact that even Jordan with his distinct leaning toward the convenience of the Standard Oil Company should now have expressed the feeling<that he sees no way out of the difficulty except as the Corporation finally sets its foot down. I am sorry that this statement follows n my letter of some weeks ago in whlph I expressed my feeling that we would be able to get what we wanted. I think my former letter shows the extent to which I am co-operative and conciliatory, .but Kff 0001248 2 I mush confess my Impatience at the entire lack of consideration of a group who at one time say one thing and at another time say another, meantime doing exactly what they choose* I bring this matter to your attention somewhat forcibly for the reason that contract matters .are at present under consideration and it- seems to me that this is the proper time to have some sort of understanding:as to what we may ex pect for the future. It is beyond doubt that the Standard Oil of Indiana is continually violating its contractual responsibi lities to the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation In the matter of carry ing out our safety measures. It is even more beyond doubt that they are violating Intentionally the spirit implied in that con tract v;hich assumes that there should be co-operative and mutually instructive relationships between the responsible groups in the two companies. There i3 no co-oporatlon on their part and there is no sincere effort to be guided, and so far as I personally am concerned I feel that It is utterly hopeless to continue our re lationships on the present basis* .' a I am more than sorry to bring matters of this type to your attention immediately following a holiday, and particu larly so when I know that you have many other matters about which to be troubled* I do not believe, however, that there is anyone who Is in a position to straighten out this situation except you. hor do I believe that It can be done without the exertion of a very definite pressure. I am compelled, therefore, to appeal to you. With kindest regards. Very truly yours, RAKjEJ