Document xa01r2aD3j4ED9ZnL7VBrozm

AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION a am iL O rf ri ' n KiT 0023017 Mr. Paul D. Halley, President American Industrial Hygiene Association Standard Oil Company (Indiana) 910 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60605 Dear Paul: Ex reply to your letter of February 19, let me say, regretfully, that your offer of a task for me to undertake for AIHA in providing an historical review of the origins and the development of the Association, is a bit too ambitious for me, I think. I'll consider the matter further and also look into the matter of recruiting some help. That is to say that I am not refusing flatly to take it on, Lut I'll try to find out what my acceptance would entail, and consider how to go about it, and write to you later. Let me say that I think this is a valid undertaking. The Association has an important place in the field of industrial heiath, and it should continue to have, so that to see itself clearly historically, and its role in the field, would be extremely useful. I don't know that you will agree with me, but I shall say what I have to say whether or not you agree. There are signs, I think, of a degree of laxity in the organization, of a degree of smugness on the part of many industrial hygienists, when actually the job of providing a safe and satisfactory place of work in American Industry has just been begun. There is some excuse for this for the organization is a good one, and industrial hygiene in the United States at best is very good, and the practice of industrial hygiene is a satisfying type of career in many instances, but the overall situation of the dangers of being a working man is bad when it could be good. We have indeed gone far, but we have not had the influence on industrial performance, by and large, that we must have. This is the feature of the situation that makes me wish to do something. I realize, full well, that I should take things easily, but it is not my disposition to "go easy" and I'm having trouble in trying to do so. Let me say that I think that you efforts as the President, the primary leader, are good and you are justified in feeling satisfaction. I must insist, however, that the effort to do well must continue. There are several indications that this period is the time by which much of the future will bo determined. With this I shall desist from sermonizing. I conclude by extending to you and the other officers of AIHA,. my best wishes, Sincerely, RAKkwb Dictated but not read Robert A. Kehoe, M.D Professor Emeritus of Occupational Medicine 0023018