E. M. Voorhees to S. A. Williams on Dust Conditions at J-M Factories (1931)

A one-page memo of July 28, 1931, from E. M. Voorhees at J-M's General Headquarters to Vice President S. A. Williams, headed "Dust Conditions at Our Factories." It begins: "Ever since the dust suits have been brought against us at Manville we have considered, first, the possibility of installing the most modern and improved dust collecting systems to eliminate the dust hazard, if possible, and also the question of physical examination of our employees." Voorhees writes that Dr. Lanza's reports on the American and Canadian factories show that "considerable improvement could be made," and that the other plants, "especially Waukegan, Asbestos, Que., and Lompoc," should be brought up to the Manville plant's standard.

What it shows

Voorhees attached the minutes of the July 15 meeting with Dr. Lanza and asked to discuss the matter "for the purpose of protecting ourselves, as well as the health of our individual employees." He also noted that the examinations might not raise costs, because many death claims under the Group Life plan came from employees with the company less than three years. The memo ties J-M's dust control and medical program directly to the lawsuits at Manville. Six weeks later Williams set the program in motion (memo of September 9, 1931).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

Johns-Manville's own chronology of what the company knew describes this document as follows:

E.M. Voorhees (Headquarters) memorandum to S.A. Williams (J-M Vice President) dated 7/28/31 states that "ever since the dust suits have been brought against us at Manville we have considered, first, the possibility of installing the most modern and improved dust collecting systems to eliminate the dust hazard, if possible, and also the question of physical examination of our employees."

Related documents

• Minutes of a Johns-Manville Meeting with Dr. Anthony Lanza on Physical Examinations (1931)