Document zoVkv0nX543pNQMJV838BVLpz

February 14, 1947 Dr. Stanley Dorst, Dean, College of Medicine. Dear Dr. Dorst: I am forwarding to you herewith three copies of an agreement negotiated with Dylvania Electric Products Incorporated which, follows the form of our other agreements, and therefore presumably will meet with official approval. A word of explanation concerning the problem at issue may be of advantage to you and to the Board . I send an extra copy of this letter for your use in transmitting both the information and the two copies of the agreement to the Board of Dii`ectors of the University. The third copy is for your own files. the problem proposed by this industrial organization is a serious one, about which there has been a great deal of concex-n in a large segment of industry for the past 2 1/2 years. Exposure of industrial workmen to a number of processes which appear to be related to the use of beryllium, has been found to result in a serious and often fatal pulmonary disease, which so far as can be seen is not exactly like any other known Industrie?, disease or intoxication. Tome investigations have been carried out, but for a number of reasons, these do not seem to have yielded useful information. Indeed this disease at present Is all the more serious because of its mysterious aspects. I have realized for some time that we would be approached when the conclusion was arrived at that some very serious effort must be made to solve this problem. Inasmuch as a sizable segment of Industry Is in jeopardy, we shall have considerable pressure brought to bear on us to solve this problem. It i3 of consequence, therefore, that there be no announcement of this by the University and that there shall be no publicity in connection with it. It Is a difficult and "hot" problem, and because of our other work schedule, which Is rather heavy, I should have been glad to side-step it. However, I do not feel that this can be done, and therefore I have been content to commit the Laboratory to the prosecution of this addi tional job, so long as it could be done without any modifications of our policies in connection with such work. I trust that you and the Board of Directors will agree with me in approving this agreement. I should appreciate it If the copy Intended for Sylvania would be sent to me for transmission to them, when it has been executed by the University. Cordially yours, N 6536 K" 00C3?45