Document rx9dyYe6q1GMKZ9Z1JgZa9NjV

ASBESTOS TEXTILE INSTITUTE Page -1- Minutes - GENERAL MEETING - February k, 1971 The RED CARPET INN, Charlotte, N.C. In attendance: AMERICAN ASBESTOS TEXTILE CORP. J. W. Christenbury Wm. Maaskant H.H. Walter GARLOCK INC. Alex. Kuzmuk W.F. Brainerd ~ JOHNS-MANVILLE CORPORATION N.D. Brown K. A. Roberta E.A. Schuman C. L, Sheckler / ASBESTOS CORPORATION LIMITED G.F.A, Brink P.E. Leclerc BELL AS3EST0S MINES LIMITED WM. J.W. Smith Walter H. Smith LAKE ASBESTOS OF QUEBEC LTD. C.E. Stiefken TURNER BROS. ASBESTOS CO..LTD. W.M. Deckman H.J. Cora on H.K. PORTER COMPANY,INC. L. E. Moody D. E. Childers J.W. Echerd E. C. Bratt J.D. McCluer (Retired) NICOLET INDUSTRIES.INC. GEO. Griswold,Jr. E.W. Russell RAYBESTOS-MANHATTANtINC. M. Q,. Scowcroft J.W. Hawkina Dr. J.L. Goodman J.W. Frampton (Guest UNIROYAL. INC. E.A. Morris R.C. Hunt H.M. Willingham Dr. J.H. Wolfsie S.J. Peele,Jr. T.H. Newby L.F. Dieringer (Guest) ' - CADV/ALADER .WICKSRSHAM & TAFT H.C. Roosevelt (Legal Counsel) AS3SST0S TEXTILE INSTITUTE H.E. Sunbury (Secretary)' Minutes K-JHHfr 1. President Moody called the meeting to order at l:ij.5> P.I-1. 2. Those present were asked to stand and give their name and company. 3. President Moody asked that a moment of prayer be observed in memory of Ralph B. Smith who passed away on January 21, 1971 at his home in North Charleston,S.C. Mr.Smith had attended A.T.I. meetings regularly for nearly twenty years, and served as Chairman of our Air Hygiene & Mfg. Committee during I960 and 1961. 'Hie minutes of the last meeting were presented for reading. On motion by Mr.E.A. Schuman, seconded by Mr. Roberts, it was voted to omit the reading of same. Minutes - GENERAL MEETING - continued: Page -2 5.' Treasurer Kuzmuk presented the Financial Report. Dr.J.H. Wolfsie moved that it be accepted, motion seconded by Mr.P.E.Leclerc, and so voted unanimously. A copy of the report is attached. 6. President Moody referred to the "History of the Asbestos Textile Industry in the United States" by J.A. Bett03,Jr., now appearing serially in the ASBESTOS Magazine, and said that the Secretary had been instructed to write Mr. Bettes a letter of commendation on behalf of the Institute and its members. Mr. Bettes, an active member of the Institute for approximately twenty-four years, served as the President of A.T.I. in 1957 and 1958. Upon retirement from Raybestos Manhattan,Inc. several years ago Mr. Bettes began his self-imposed task of collecting information for his "History of the Asbestos Textile Industry in the USA.", and it has required countless hours and voluminous correspondence to prepare the "History" for publication The Institute appreciates the fine contribution that Mr. Bettes has made to the asbestos textile industry, and congratulates him on doing an exceptionally fine jobI Also, the ASBESTOS Magazine is to be commended for making the "History" available to its readers! Mr. Bettes address is:- John A. Bettes,Jr.,3100 So.Ocean Blvd.,#6l8, Delray Beach,Fla. 33^ll * and we are sure that he would welcome comments from readers of the "History". 7. President Moody announced the election of Mr. N.D. Brown to the Board of Governors, replacing Mr.E.A. Schuman of Johns-Manville; also the election to the Board of Mr. J.W. Christenbury, replacing Mr. J.L. Rainey of American Asbestos Textile Corp. Mr. Schuman resigned because of a realignment of his company responsibilities, and Mr. Rainey's resignation was due to increasingly heavy duties since his election to President of his company in June, 1970. 8. The Legal Counsel Report was given by Attorney H.C. Roosevelt, of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, NYC. A resume' i3 attached. 9. The Fibre Producer's Report was given by Mr. Wra.J.U. Smith, Vice President & General Sales Manager of BELL ASBESTOS MINES LIMITED. Mr. Smith began his remarks by saying that it was the opinion of the producers that the fibre situation should be exposed as frequently as A.T.I. meets, and proceeded to discuss the situation relative to the various grades of fibre; beginning with the shorter grades: Group 7 fibres in the shorter classifications are fairly ample, but the longer Group 7's are in tighter supply. Group 6 fibres - a very specific shortage.(Used in Brake Linings,etc) Group 5 fibres - Premium classifications are "tight". Group {. fibres - fairly wall in balance (Used in asb.-cement products) Group 3 fibres - Used in textiles. A year ago a shortage existed, but now the high magnetic iron fibres as produced in Eastern Canadian mines are in good supply. By contrast, the low magnetic iron Group 3 fibres, as produced on the West Coast of Canada, continue to be critically short . The unusually severe winter has crippled product ion at Cassiar. Situation may improve somewhat by June, but supply will still be short. In regard to Rhodesian fibre the embargo has been most effective, both in the U.3.A. and Canada, It 1b a oritical Hinutes - GENERAL MEETING - continued: Page -3 situation for asbestos textile manufacturers in the U.S.A. because there is no alternative low iron fibre except Cassiar. The U.S. Gov ernment has a sizeable stockpile of low iron fibre but apparently is not willing to release any of it. 10. Committee Reports were given by the respective Chairmen Air Hygiene & Mfg. Committee - H.M. Willingham, Chm. Technical Committee - J.W. Hawkins (Acting chairman) Asbestos Advisory Committee - E.A. Morris, Chm. Fiber Testing Committee - D.E. Childers, Chm. Their reports are attached to these minutes. 11. Dr. J.L. Goodman, North Charleston,S.C., associated with Raybestos-Manhattan,Inc., speaking as a member of the A.T.I. Environmental Health Committee, reported that he had attended a seminar on Asbestosis, arranged by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, that was held on June 15 18, 1970 at the lit. Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. Said that he was surprised to find a goodly number of representatives of labor in attendance. Dr. Selikoff*s staff members presented the program, which turned out to be a diatribe against industry. At the opening of the meeting it was announced that spraying of steel frame work with asbestos fiber, in new buildings under construction, had been discontinued in New York State. Dr. Goodman was critical of Dr. Selikoff*s presentation and accusations against industry. When questions were directed to various (staff) speakers Dr. Selikoff spoke up to answer the question - sometimes quite rudely! The second day of the Seminar was devoted to mesothelioma, which Dr. Goodman said was a very controversial and debatable form of cancer (as to cause). He does not agree with many of Dr. Selikoff's statements and/or conclusions on this subject. Dr. Goodman feels that Dr. Selikoff is a "dangerous" man, and the asbestos industry is going to have to learn how to combat his tactics! We cannot, and should not, take Dr. Selikoff lightly as he has the facilities for getting his version of the "facts" widely distributed, and the only way he can be rebutted is by being faced with the overwhelming weight of objective scientific and factual data. When asked if something could be done thru the American Medical Association (to control Dr. Selikoff) Dr. Goodman expressed doubt. There is a grievance committee of the AMA but It was very difficult to get it to act. Thought that perhaps pressure on the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine might be effective. In regard to mesothelioma I!r. Win.J.W. Smith asked if Dr. Selikoff differentiated between Crocidolite and Chrysotile fibre. Dr.Goodman said that Dr. Selikoff inferred that Chrysotile wa3 suspect as well as Crocidolite. Following Dr. Goodman's report, Mr. C.L. Sheckler, Chairman of A.T.I.'s Environmental Health Committee, commented that Dr. Selikoff was going to be around indefinitely and we might as well resign oiirselves to that fact, even though Selikoff might be prone to deal with "half-truths". Mr. Sheckler mentioned the excellent promotional-type English film entitled "WHY ASBESTOS" that was shown to members the previous evening, and said there is now an Asbestos Information Association of North America, Members of this new association are some of the Hinutes - GENERAL MEETING - continued: Pago -I4.- leading manufacturers of asbestos products in the U.S.A. No further information was given regarding the new association. Mr. Sheckler then discussed the new Federal "Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970" (PL91-596) that will become effective on April 28, 1971* saying that Industry and it3 customers can well face new exposure to penalties after the law becomes effective'. Outlined some of the penalties, and discussed standards under the^new law. For example, the present standard for noise is 90 decibels maximum, and he doubts that any textile plant can show such a low noise level. Under the new law the government inspectors will have free access to plants and records. An employee or employee group may request the government to make inspection at any time. The employer is re quired to post conditions 1;hat exceed standards. All penalties are to be final unless contested within 1$ days. In regard to medical & health research Mr. Sheckler said that a "National Institute of Safety & Health" has been (or will be) set up within the framework of the Health,Education and Y/elfare Department. Dr. L.J. Cralley's group will be part of it. Concluding his remarks Mr. Sheckler said that warning labels on products were now voluntary but probably will become mandatory at some future date. Thinks that our industry must give serious consideration to the use of warning labels on asbestos products. Mentioned that Common Law product liability suits are proliferating in the Thermal Insulation Industry. Date that label use began could indicate whether a manufacturer had been negligent,if law suit arises 12. Locations for A.T.I. Meetings in 1971 were announced:- June 9-10, 1971 - Cherry Hill Inn, Cherry Hill,N.J. October 6-8, 1971 - Savannah Inn ic Country Club,Savannah,Ga. The June meeting schedule will call for arrival Y/ednesday afternoon or evening, committee meetings Thursday morning, and GENERAL MEETING from 2:00 to lj.:00 P.M. on Thursday afternoon. This shortened program will enable most attendees to be back at their respective offices on Friday morning. The October meeting is our ANNUAL MEETING to which company officials and their wives, also members* wives are specially invited. The meeting schedule in October will suggest arrival on Y/ednesday after noon or evening, the committee meetings will be on Thursday, and the GENERAL MEETING on Friday morning. 13 There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3i50pm, Respectfully submitted, H.E. Sunbury Secretary