Document x1kmrr6X7a3NdO46K7QyO59Ly

Temporary Organization Committee Ihdu(tmal Durr Paoeuw / U February 5th, 1935 .w* B-ocxr W5 140 vMui Stiut Pcoasoiku, Pa. REPORT AND RECOUUENDATION OF THE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ELECTED AT THE "SYMPOSIUM ON COST PROBLEUS" HELD AT PITTSBURGH, PA., JANUARY 15, 1935. Dear Siri All Individuals who attended the Symposium on Dust Problems held at Pittsburgh, Pa., January 15, 1935 and all Trade Associations whioh were addressed by Sr. Yeidleln of Mellon Institute under date of December 1, 1934, are receiving copies of this letter. The purpose of this letter is to ask if your Company or your Trade Association (as the case may be) mill subscribe an amount not to exceed $500.00 for the establishment of a Coordinating Agency as the first covo toward a study of the many existing phases of the indus trial dust problem, tegother with a rocommendation based on that study as to such further concerted action as may be possible and proper for all industry. At an initial over all cost of $25,000,00 when pro-rated amongst the subscribers to the movement, the individual contributions required may be very materially less than $500.00 each, depending on the nuabor of subscribers. The enclosures will furnish full information to enable you to judge whether tho plan proposed has sufficient merit to justify its cost, and whether your Coopeny (or your Trade Association) should properly share in the initial cost on a pro-rata basis. Pago 2. I II It is of groat iaportance that ehatever is to be done should be started quickly. Way I, therefore, ask that 70U reply to this letter as promptly os is possible? ' Yours very truly, Roger A. Hitcbine Chairman, Temporary Organisation Committee Elected in Pittsburgh, January 15, 1955. Enclosures: (1) A brief outline of the events leading up to er.d occurring at the 'Symposium on Dust Problems" held in Pittsburgh, Pa., January 15, 1955. (2) A brief outline of the discussion and action taken by the Temporary Organiiation Committee on January 15, 1935. (3) A brief outline of the discussion and action taker. *oy the Temporary Organization Committee at a spec ial meeting held at the Duquosne Club, Pittsburgh, Pa., on Friday, February 1, 1935. (4) Copy of a letter from Dr. E. R. Tsidlein, Director of Uellon Institute dated January 21, 1935, together with a copy of the "Plan for Study of Dust Problems" referred to in Dr. Weidlein'a letter. (5) A tentative "Program of Initial Activities" (for a correlating agency) arranged in somewhat different form but which has the approval of Uellon Institute. (5) A Form of Letter for your reply, which is suggested for your guidance, if your Company or Trade Associa tion (as the case may be) is trilling to participate in this movement. IjJ .b,.S//UUUDbkI D6E ID: UCT 19*93 lb: 1J no K Ub Enclosure (1) A brief cutline of the events leading up to and occurring at the "Symposium on Dust Problems" hold Page 1 in Pittsburgh, Pa., January 15, 1S35. j- in December 1 E. R, Weldlein, Director cf T"e^S3csT~~o'f Industrial jlasaowiii, at Pittsburgh, wrote to morW' ttRor'Slghty industries, in connection with the subject of industrial dust h&xards, There are various types of so-called 'l 'dust diseases', knoyn generally as pneumonoconiosls, among which are silicosis, asbestosis, anthracosis, siderosis, and numerous others, '*"A' Dr. Weidlein'a letter was written at the request of a I few of the industries, in which the dust hatard exists, in an [ effort to determine whether sufficient interest existed to warrant having a meeting for a general discussion of this question, and with the basic idea that if such a meeting could be held it might be possible to establish a coordinating agency for the collection of all available data on silleosis and other dust diseases and its dissemination to the interested industries, and with the further thought that such an agency would later develop into a coordinating and planning body. The response to Dr. Weidlein's letter was immediate and represented a large percentage of tho industries to whom the orig inal letter had been sent. In view of the wide-spread interest, Uallon Institute proceeded with arrangements for a "Symposium on Dust Problems". This meeting was held at the University Club, at Pittsburgh, Tuesday, January 15, and addresses were made by the following l/ur. A. C, Hirtb Williams, Eversman & Uorgan Toledo, Ohio Dr, R. R. Sayers Uedical Officer in Charge 0. S. Public Health Service Washington, D. C. r. A. J. Lanta Assistant Uedical Director Uetropolitan Life Insurance Co. Kew Tort, N, Y. / Dr. Eugene P. Pendergrass X-Ray Laboratory University Hospital ^Philadelphia, Pa. Prof. Philip Drinker Sohool of Publio Health Harvard University Boston, Uses. w . V , V' * i UUL Enclosure (1) Page < 13 'DsJ . w 1 ,k v/ Ur. P. Robertson Jones ' General Manager, Association of Casualty >/ and Surety Executives t/New York, N. T. Donald H. Cummings Assistant Director, Saranac Laboratory for s Study of Tuberculosis Edward L. Trudeau Foundation ~ Ironwood, Michigan *'* '' Dr. Samuel R. Haythora Director, Singer Memorial Laboratory Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Weidlein, of Mellon Institute, in opening the meeting explained that the interest of the Institute was simply the desire to assist industry toward a realisation of the problem and the development of a possible program of aetivlty. Mo reporters were present at this meeting and no stenographic notes were kept.Xtten- "* present"nearly two ~ red representative^of many of tte Important inauscries who are aJfecsad' hj Ills "dual VrobitB. ~~ ' - At the conclusion of an excellent and. extremely informative program, on motion from the floor a nominating committee was appointed to submit names of individuals in industries who would form & Tempor ary Organisation Committee to develop plans and make a definite written recommendation to all of the registered attendance at the meeting, as well as to those industries originally-invited, as to. the formation of a permanent organisation and its purposes. The industries represented grouped themselves into seven general classes end the nominating Committee report consisted of the nominations for a Tonrporary Organisation Committee, with one repreeenexative for each of the following Groups of Industry: GROOPS OF IND0STRT I. Asbestos, Cork and Non-metallic. a Chemical, Abrasives, Alloy and Non-ferrous Metals. Foundries. IF. Glass Sand, Ground Sand and Glass Manufacturers. V. Iron, Steel and Iron Ore. VI. Lime, Limestone, Cement and Gypsum. VII. Refractories, Ceramics and Clays. The report of the nominating committee was aocepted by the ROGER A. HITCHINS, Chairman, Temporary Organization Committee U ,G.. S//UlOC'DBRIDGE ID: LILT 19'93 16:14 NO.UW r.uo Inoloeure --` 12) A brief outline of the dlsouesion and action taken bjr the Temporary Organisation Committee on January IS, 1035. ________ _____________________________________ Following the adjournment of the general meeting in the late afternoon of January 16, 1936, a meeting was held of the Temporary Organitatlon Committee at which time the under signed was elected Chairman of the Committee. The Committee was of th* opinion that Mellon Institute of Industrial Reaearoh, Pittsburgh, we# better qualified to conduot this work than any other agenoy. The Ohairman was there upon instruoted to request Mellon Institute for a proposal whioh would outline the work which they would expect to do on Silicosis and other Oust Problems and the cost of doing it, in case indnstry in general desired the establishment ef such a coordinating agenoy. ROOBR f* HTrCEWS, Chairman, Temporary Organisation Coumdttee. \ r * ft" ) 1 Enclosure (3) A brief outline of the discussion and action taken by the Temporary Organization Conaittee at a' spocial meeting helM t the l)i|iinn<i Club, Pittsburgh, Pg.., on Friday, page 1_^-^february 1< .___________ _________________ __ On call of the Chairman, the Temporary Organization Committee met at Pittsburgh on Friday, February 1st, 1935. Judging from the keen interest displayed at tho "Symposium on Dust Problems1'' held in Pittsburgh, January 16th, 1935 " it >a*,"tffip"-* desire of those in attendance that a coordinating and correlating agency ft should be established for the purpose of making a complete study of all fl of the existing facts concerning the many phases of the industrial dust II problem as affecting all industry, and a recommendation based thereon Ij as to future action. The letter from Dr. Feidlein of Uellon Institute dated January 21st, 1935, together with the "Plan for Study of Dust Problems* was read and discussed. The maximum cost for the first year or for the first period Iof this work, which is estimated to require from six months to a year's time, will be <25,000.00. The plan provides for the possible establishment of a. per- manent organisation to be known as ther'i^Lanaouumattfrial Dust Institute^or by whatever other name may be selectedl) Ttr-b*^UM4UW1 VUhlsllon stituto. and th detenu nr qpwfoerghi'D and their contributions may be kept at Uellon Institute and will be entirely gonflggirbiel^ Such permanent organisation when formed to be direoted by an Advisory Committee which will be elected by the contributing members, and whose function will be similar to that of a Board of Directors in co-operation with Uellon Institute in carrying out the purposes of the new Association. A somewhat rearranged "Suggested Program of Initial Activi ties " for the correlating agency covering medical, preventive, legal, ct legislative and publicity features of the industrial dust problem was prepared And discussed with representat Ives of Uellon Institute and was approved by them- From tho fact that a number of interested industries have already expressed their willingness to underwrite this program to the extent of 1600,00 each for the first year it appeared to the Temporary Organization uomittea thaw, "the >-ot nnr individual UUUUibtttor~wlII be relatively small when considering the benillK which may. result. The aotual expenses will be pro-rated among those subscribing, thus if fifty members will underwrite proportionately the amount will be exactly <500.00-each. If eighty participate the aoount .will be only slightly more than <300.00 each,.and less in..-the event of a larger number of subscribers. If the ep^?*** fni^nnnrrw la na-t required for the firstphase of the work any.balanqe will be carried over for future activities Enolcsure (3) Page 8. * V- * or can be refunded proportionately to the contributors. The Temporary Organization Committee feels that the import- epee of t.Ms suhjart tT> <-nrrely be over-estimated; - and that this appears to be a most opportune timeTor oo-jl industry at reason able cost to etterpvto gather together in a central agency'-all of-ATF--* existing information of all kinds on this subject as a basis fer de termining That further activities along this line are necessary or practical. The Dust Problem in everr industry rer+Mn prnVl03 common to all, mi-h~nt th*ri n**im7'1 **ith Engineering (respirator^*,* prevention}. and tha"M6flical. Lagal~Lnd Legislative The Chairman of the Temporary Organization Committee vas thereupon directed to erite to each individual vho vas present at the Symposium on January 15, 1935, as veil as to the more than eighty Indus trial Trade Associations vho vers addressed by Mellon Institute under date of December 1, 1934; - and transmit to them (a) the development leading up to and occurring at the Symposium on January 15, 1935, and (b) the developments occurring at the organisation meeting of the Temporary Organization Committee on January 15, 1935, and (c) the plans proposed by and approved by Mellon Institute as to initial activities and objectives, and (d) a report of the discussions and recomaendations of tha Temporary Organization Committee meeting in Pittsburgh on Friday, Fobruary 1, 1935, and he vas directed to request that those addressed should respond promptly vlth an indloation as to vhether or not they will support a permanent organization on the basis outlined, ROGER A. HITCHINS, Chairman, Temporal Organization Committee. MELLON INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH UNITERSITT OF PITTSBURGH^ Enclosure (4) Page 1 _ Ur. Roger A. Hitohins, President, Acerlean Refractories Institute, No. 1608 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. January El, 1935. My dear Ur. Hitohins; In accordance with your request as Chairman of the Organisa tion Committee which was formed at the conference on dust problems held in Pittsburgh on January 15, we are giving you our ideas regarding the important problems involved and the type of organisation that should be established. I am enclosing & plan for the study of dust problems end the organisation chart. If this work were to be central!ted in Uallon Institute, it could he carried out as a part~~CX 6Ur air hygiene reaearesa The director appointed to handle the "investigation would also he the head of the institution or organization which the industries would set up. In this way, the work could be carried out in a cost confidential manned as to1 - rrhsTTras supporting the research and no one would know what Industrie's'6r lndlvidualtf-wwir uimlilbuiimr to the fund. This would enable Ui ovuiifc ^irgttcn to get soundly established, so that if later on ltnra-daeired~tb' -etMue uut lrrths ocin this couia be arcawworf. Hoping that this gives you the information which you wish, I am ERW-* ' enclosures Sincerely yours, (signed) H. R. Teidleln Director Ul - O.. Cr/ / UlUUUOr. I uoc 1U : 1330 1 O 1 \J HU .w>il < A Enclosure (4) Page 2 Plan for Study of Dust Problems I. Organisation of the Industries. It la necessary that there be soma organization representing industries for the rmm that no program of^Tesearch Investigation could be carried on without assurance of continuity and.-finanelal support. Such assurance could be given only by some body that had authority to speak for a sufficient number of in dustries or companies, ~an<i~gdght be called The TmVe+T~<In'tltute it seens inadvisable to effect such a separate organization, for reasons that may be sound, it is suggested that a group of individuals be chosen from industries or companies, such a group to be called, for example, Industries Advisory Board for the Study of Eust Problems. Affected industries and/or individual companies could contribute to this 3oard, which in turn could make contracts and disburse the monies. The other primary functions of the Institute or Board would be to select the cen tral agency to administer the activities later referred to in soms detail (called, for convenience, the research agency), to keep in touch with that central agency, advise with it as to the program of work, and aid it in other obvious legitimate ways. Obviously. such r.antral *-g"*rT must be lndonendont of t{fy~specific industry-- or group, it must have a broad outlook^ e sympathetic undArat&ndlrnr-of J wide contacts wlth~all co^eriytin^^gaTU'rlec^af.d it must have the`~cbttfi4ennf oi T06 Industries, and ol the phyif) Manr, iT|p ..*(> 'V -"r * 4i^ght rftnyiriti +_n advantage. ineST ' ----- --" _X. The work of the research agency. f Of primary importance in the initial stage is the collection of available data ' published and, as far as possible, unpublished. These data must then be evaluated and correlated, and in this phase of the vork it is assumed that it will be possible to secure the advice and cooporation of the recognized specialists in the fields of medicine, lav, chemistry, physics and engineering. Evaluation should include the weeding out of data that cannot be considered as authoritative. It will then be possible to prepare a comprehensive program designed to provide the lndu^rl^ fionaar^ad with legitimate protection. ` ---- -------- = J&' In. preparing to work out euoh a program, list of specialists in all field* who are it would engaged bo in neoessary to compile a a study of dust problems; tohave determined any among them who may not be properly qualified and whose results might, therefore, not be entirely acoeptable; to attempt as far as feasible to have investigational work correlated and synchronized; to be in position to make reasonable grants to qualified individuals or agencies to study special problems or phases of problems. Some of the aspeots that oocur to mind are: ^a) The pathological and psychological effects of dusts of various kinds, alone and in combination; for this a classification of dusts is neoessary. Enolosure (4) Page S , u Lnortant from both medical and legal stenilnnlnts ,1a the preparation of i/^nm^r~Cgaiea> On the medical side is also plant hygiene, insofar as it is affected by industrial dusts and fuses. A study of sampling ^devices and sempling methods, with the^idea pf_;fatl{iec-... developing standards, and also to attempt to provide plant officials with simple portable appsratu9 which, while neither as delicate nor as accurato ns the standard equipment, will enable them to keep a regular check on plant conditions and to know when the danger line is approachod. Study of existing methods and cooperation in the development of improve* oents designed to minimize dust and fumes in the plant, as veil as protec tive measures for workmen. Dissemination, through proper channels, of authoritative information. Maintaining contact as closely as possible with independent agencies and cooperating agencies engaged in studies of phases of the problem, and a program of such researoh experimentation aa may be indicatod. Study and synopsis of existing pertinent legislation (including compensa tion) , and assistance in the preparation of safety codes and fair laws. The place to start is in the collection and evaluation of available data, which must precede the formulation of the longer-time program. III. Estimate of cost. (a) The cost, if any, of operating the parent organization or Board. (b) Cost cf research agency. It is estimated that for the initial work of collecting and evaluating available data and preparing authoritative abstracts for dissemination, surveying the field and formulating a long-time program of constructive work, not less than $26,000 should he appropriated. The time necessary for this initial phase cannot be predicted with cer tainty, hut it is estimated that at least six months and not more than a year will be required. After the conclusion of this period, it is certain that an effective pro gram can be developed and would require a substantially larger budget. -^7. Organization chart. ', - The plan outlined above.is shown broadly in the accompanying chart. u U W' ' WUUUUM AU Enclosure (8) Page 1 CORRELATING AGENC? SUGGESTED PROQRAU OP INITIAL ACTIVITIES UEDICAI. (1) Secure from medical profession end health authorities es complete as poc6ible information covering pest and present research on Industrial Dust aiseeses. (2) Study the assembled data and report and rcoommend (a) as to what phases have duplication of effort and <b) as to whet phases should have further research; with the objective of enlisting ts* cooperation of American Medical Association <n_ setting u-p authoritative `ancl approved standards of diagnosis and correction. PREVENTIVE, (1) Secure from ell possible sources the existing available data on Industrial Dust hazards. (2) Study the assembled data end report and recommend (a) as to present means of eliminating or minimizing those hazards and (b) as to what further should be done in that direction] Mt*1 objective of .setting up author itative and approved standards for the control of industrial dusts which. if oomplied with by industries, or bv lndilstrial-cngDaniea. will act as a defense against ' LEGAL. (1) Secure from all affected industries their present exper ience as to personal Injury suits and claims growing out of industrial dust hazards and claimed diseases; in complete detail as to name of claimant, amount Involved, court of jurisdiction, prosecution and defense counsel, character of suit (or claim) together with a history of closed cases end the status of pending suits or olaims. Study the assembled data and report and recommend (a} as to the aggregate amount of money loss which industry has experienced and with which induetry ie threatened as a whole and by divisions and (b) aa to the -instances where the situation appears to b a "raoket" against industry and (c) what concerted action may be possible to be taken in pending oases end claims*, with the objeotive of en listing the co-operation of the American Bar Association and local Bar Associations in. stopping the "racket." LEGISLATIVE. (1) Secure from all States and territories copies of existing or pending legislative inaotmenta and existing court decision* affecting the dust lUUaid 111 iHflustry. whether Enclosure (5) Page 2. ii LEGISLATIVE. (Contd) workmen's compensation fir~ '703X300 law.. d<p,sa or (2) Study the- assembled date and report and recommend (a) as to existing laws which properly protect both employer and employee and (b) as to such cxicting i laws as do not properly protect both employer and employee; with the objective of securing the enact ment of State laws, of a uniform character, which4 when compiled with, will fairly and properly protect the interest of industry and of those engaged in industry and of enlisting the co-operation of the Federal Government in that direction. POBLIClTy. Consider and recommend (a) the manner in which affectod industries may be informed and be boot informed as to all phases of the industrial dust problem and (b) the manner in which governmental agencies and the public may be Informed and bo^apt informed, and the propriety and advisability of rising trT-TTVrTfT whlrh nra being and should be taken in the direction of protecting both human life and property. 1 Enoloeuro (6) Ur. Roger A. Hitchlns, Chairman Temporary Organization Cooaitteo Room 909, 1600 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Penna. Dear Sir; We have your letter of February 6, 1935 and accompany ing copy of letter from Uellon Institute of Industrial Research, outlining a program for the study of industrial dust hazards. We are in full agreement with this program and with the mothod suggostod for putting it into offoct. Vo understand that the estimated expanse for the first year is 825,000. In consider ation of other similar contributions, we agree to contribute toward the initial expense of such a program the sum of five hundrad dollars- (8600) with the understanding that if the total contribu tions exceed 325,000, the amount of our contribution is to be proportionately reduced. It is our understanding that when sufficient contri butions have been received, a meeting of the contributors will be called for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization, and that contributions will be payable at such times as the directors of the proposed organisation shall call for payment. Yours truly,