George K. Foster to J. P. Woodard on Preparing a Lung Cancer Research Program for the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association (1950)

A one-page memo of July 28, 1950, from George K. Foster of Canadian Johns-Manville in Montreal to J. P. Woodard at J-M headquarters. Foster and Ivan Sabourin had been asked by the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association to prepare a report on a cancer research project dealing with cancer of the lung; Woodard "may have seen in a recent issue of 'News Week' a statement that asbestos causes cancer of the lung." Foster wanted the advice of Drs. Lanza and Vorwald and thought the industry should use the Saranac Laboratory, "realizing quite well, however, that they have no cancer experts."

What it shows

Foster wrote that the yearly cost and length of the project had to be fixed in advance, since "we cannot give carte blanche to this or any other research group," especially as "our own company will have to pay 50% or more of the cost." He hoped to present the report at the association's directors' meeting after mid-October 1950. The plan led to the proposals discussed in August and September (Smith on the Lanza contract, the Saranac proposal).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Correspondence from George K. Foster of J-M Canada to J.P. Woodard dated 7/28/50, discusses new assignment of Sabourin and Foster to devise a QAMA cancer research project. "In setting up and preparing this program for acceptance or rejection by the Association, I think we should have the advice and council [sic] of Drs. Lanza and Vorwald, likewise it is my thought at the moment that we should utilize the facilities of the Saranac Foundation, realizing quite well, however, that they have no cancer experts."