Asbestos Magazine, 1940

Johns-Manville's notes

1. Jan. 1940, p. 25 summary p. 89

   J-M announces new low-cost movable partition for subdividing offices/plants - Transite Walls, Universal Type (asbestos cement board).

2. Jan. 1940, p. 26 summary p. 89

   Market Condition - Raw Fiber. All producers running to maximum capacity. War conditions are partially responsible for demand. "Asbestos is a very essential commodity in wartime."

3. Jan. 1940, pp. 26-27 summary p. 89

   Germany will probably get asbestos from Russia, but it has a limited supply. "But Germany will manage during this war the same way she did during the World War. She will use glass." Glass was then used for insulation, spinning and even asbestos cement products. "As soon as the war was over, however, Germany returned to the use of Asbestos."

4. Jan. 1940, p. 30 summary p. 89

   American Roofer carries article on placing asbestos siding over old brick - a new application.

5. Jan. 1940, p. 40 summary p. 90

   Engineering News - Record reports that a cavalry unit in Arkansas needed a new water main. Nine days later it had already been installed - a-c pipe from J-M.

6. Jan. 1940, p. 40 summary p. 90

   Aircell used in the new Shasta Dam.

7. Feb. 1940, pp. 4-8 summary p. 90

   Chicago sewage plant uses large quantities of J-M insulation (Superex, 85% mag, Vitrobestos) installed by J-M's Chicago Technical Service Unit, Asbestos & Magnesia Materials Co.

8. Feb. 1940, pp. 18-20 summary p. 90

   ASTM Committee on Thermal Insulating Materials is developing test methods in order to write specs.

9. Feb. 1940, p. 36 summary p. 90

   Lewis Brown addresses Middle Atlantic Lumbermen's Assn.

10. Feb. 1940, p. 36 summary p. 90

    Asbestos Contractors New England Assn. held annual meeting.

11. Feb. 1940, pp. 37-38 summary p. 90

    J-M Housing Guild describes its operation in new 59-page book.

12. Mar. 1940, pp. 12-14 summary p. 90

    S.S. America, largest, safest merchant ship ever built in the U.S., uses asbestos products. Keasbey & Mattison: 85% pipe & block on steam/power lines, ebonized asbestos panels, fireproof panels/doors. J-M: Marinite sheet in staterooms and corridors and as base for floors and decorative panels. Other companies' products may have also been used.

13. Mar. 1940, p. 26 summary p. 90

    Article on Rhode Island Covering Co., a J-M approved contractor for insulating materials for the past 14 years, and its distributor for many other products in the last several years.

14. Mar. 1940, p. 27 summary p. 90

    Robert W. Lea elected J-M Director.

15. Mar. 1940, p. 27 summary p. 90

    J-M personnel changes.

16. Mar. 1940, p. 28 summary p. 90

    J-M announces two new products: low-cost acoustical - Fibracoustic (wood fiber) and a machine-vibration isolator (non-asbestos).

17. Mar. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 90

    J-M has new 20-page brochure "Transite Movable Asbestos Walls" and a new 16-page brochure "Sound Control."

18. Mar. 1940, p. 40 summary p. 90

    India Rubber Journal and J-M's Power Specialist both contain articles on the asbestos Diamond Jubilee.

19. Mar. 1940, p. 40 summary p. 91

    Canadian J-M and other producers prohibit wood anywhere near the textile machinery because of past damage to the machines. That includes the replacement of railroad ties with steel and the prohibition even of wooden matches.

20. Apr. 1940, p. 12 summary p. 91

    ASTM Thermal Insulation Committee expects to approve tests within the coming year.

21. Apr. 1940, p. 25 summary p. 91

    ASTM 1940 Index to Standards and Tentative Standards (885 total) is available.

22. Apr. 1940, pp. 32-33 summary p. 91

    Canadian J-M began foreman training. Convention to be held for all CJM salesmen.

23. Apr. 1940, p. 35 summary p. 91

    J-M issued its annual report to employees "J-M Jobholders."

24. May 1940, p. 24 summary p. 91

    Market Condition - Raw Fiber. Canada pressed to fill overseas orders. Disorganized shipping creates difficulties, this aggravated by the German invasion of Norway.

25. May 1940, pp. 30-32 summary p. 91

    Article on L. R. Hoff, V. P. of J-M.

26. May 1940, p. 34 summary p. 91

    J-M Credit Corp. accepting installment payments by telegraph on its Million-Dollar-To-Lend plan.

27. May 1940, p. 34 summary p. 91

    Germany has substituted aluminum and steel wool for asbestos in brake lining.

28. June 1940, pp. 13-14 summary p. 91

    Article on asbestos theatre curtains. "… required by law in all theatres presenting stage shows."

29. June 1940, p. 16 summary p. 91

    Market Condition - Raw Fiber. Large quantities are being imported from South Africa and Rhodesia. Canada has lost market in Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Belgium but is shipping large amounts to England, France, Japan and the U.S. Except for Russia, most actively producing mines "are in the hands of the belligerents."

30. June 1940, pp. 16-17 summary p. 91

    Market Condition - Textiles. Demand improving "due primarily to the large demand for Asbestos Cloths from the U.S. Navy."

31. June 1940, p. 18 summary p. 91

    Market Condition - Millboard demand up and outlook good. "Ships, airplanes and other construction coming along will require Millboard, and quite a lot of it."

32. June 1940, p. 27 summary p. 92

    J-M has its own exhibit building at 1940 World's Fair.

33. June 1940, p. 30 summary p. 92

    J-M personnel changes.

34. June 1940, p. 30 summary p. 92

    Canadian J-M published 16-page brochure "The Story of Asbestos."

35. June 1940, p. 32 summary p. 92

    Operators of Nazi Flame Throwing Tanks wear asbestos suits.

36. July 1940, p. 12 summary p. 92

    Iowa "all-asbestos" corn crib built using J-M products - supplied by its dealer P. T. Nelson's Sons.

37. July 1940, p. 16 summary p. 92

    "National Defense and Asbestos" - C. K. Leith, Consultant on Minerals, National Defense Commission, Wash. D.C. called a meeting of asbestos industry executives to discuss the probable U.S. needs of asbestos for the defense program. On July 5, the Pres. of the U.S. signed a proclamation requiring a license be obtained before vital defense materials are exported. Asbestos over 3/4" is included.

38. July 1940, p. 22 summary p. 92

    Market Condition - Raw Fiber. "There has been no interruption of the importation of asbestos into the United States due to the war."

39. July 1940, p. 30 summary p. 92

    J-M elects Cassidy and Hart as V.P.'s.

40. July 1940, p. 32 summary p. 92

    J-M - personnel changes. Waukegan factory hosted 35 Wisconsin architects. 1940 edition of J-M's "Home Idea Book" revised and available.

41. July 1940, pp. 33-34 summary p. 92

    J-M furnished a-c pipe for Oglethorpe University's Crypt of Civilization.

42. July 1940, p. 34 summary p. 92

    United Roofer published in serial form from April-June Dr. Oliver Bowle's "Asbestos - Silk of the Mineral Kingdom."

43. Aug. 1940, p. 14 summary p. 92

    When the German army moved into Belgium Johns-Manville lost all contact with its plant at Moll Donck, Belgium, 35 miles from Antwerp. Anthony LaGattuta Manager of the plant, and the only American citizen employed there, grabbed a suitcase and escaped to Paris one jump ahead of the Germans, then to Bordeaux. He arrived safely in New York aboard the S.S. Washington on June 21. Germany was advised thru diplomatic channels that the plant is American property, but it has been learned that the plant is in the hands of the German army and is being operated by the German invaders. It was only slightly damaged in the Battle of Belgium.

44. Aug. 1940, p. 14 summary p. 93

    German development of brake lining using aluminum or steel wool instead of asbestos has been receiving a lot of publicity.

45. Aug. 1940, p. 15 summary p. 93

    U.S. Naval Reserve Air Base at Floyd Bennett Field uses asbestos suits for fire rescue work.

46. Aug. 1940, pp. 16-17 summary p. 93

    Wage Rates for Asbestos Workers (pipe coverers).

47. Aug. 1940, p. 20 summary p. 93

    Market Condition - Manufacture of ships, planes, etc. will increase demands for asbestos material.

48. Aug. 1940, p. 22 summary p. 93

    Millboard shows normal demand. Shipyard work should undoubtedly increase demand later.

49. Aug. 1940, p. 26 summary p. 93

    J-M elects Hanes as Director.

50. Aug. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 93

    Obit. - W. R. Jones, industrial sales mgr. for Pacific Coast territory of J-M (age 59).

51. Aug. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 93

    Over 100 J-M plant/office employees left for three weeks' military/naval training in connection with the government's national defense program. "In accord with Johns-Manville's basic policy to support national defense by full cooperation with Army, Navy or Marine Corps authorities in the training of reserve or inactive personnel, the company will make up the difference in pay between what the government pays these men and what they would have earned if they had remained at work."

52. Sept. 1940, pp. 2-6 summary p. 93

    Asbestos handkerchief exhibited in 1676 to the Royal Society of London.

53. Sept. 1940, p. 17 summary p. 93

    Bomb snuffers for protection against incendiary bombs at British factories contain asbestos.

54. Sept. 1940, p. 20 summary p. 93

    Sandbags in Great Britain used in air raids are being replaced by "sand boxes" made of asbestos cement.

55. Sept. 1940, p. 24 summary p. 93

    Market Condition - Raw Fiber. South African shipments to the U.S. do not seem to be affected by the war.

56. Sept. 1940, pp. 24-26 summary p. 93

    Market Conditions - Textiles. Increased demands due directly or indirectly from government orders.

57. Oct. 1940, pp. 6-14 summary p. 94

    Another article on the asbestos handkerchief presented to the Royal Society in 1676.

58. Oct. 1940, p. 16 summary p. 94

    Furs are cleaned by tumbling in saw dust/asbestos powder mixture. This procedure was recommended by the Nat'l. Bureau of Standards.

59. Oct. 1940, p. 19 summary p. 94

    When the NY World's Fair closes in Oct., almost 1,000 broadcasts will have originated in the J-M model radio station.

60. Oct. 1940, p. 19 summary p. 94

    J-M expects to train more than 2500 through its Guild training courses on building materials.

61. Oct. 1940, p. 26 summary p. 94

    Millboard demand is fair but should increase when shipbuilding and other defense work increases.

62. Oct. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 94

    J-M issues new edition of Building Materials catalogue.

63. Oct. 1940, p. 30 summary p. 94

    Obit. - J. O. Boylan, J-M's Philadelphia building materials manager (age 56).

64. Oct. 1940, p. 34 summary p. 94

    John Begert, manager of J-M's Manville plant, is member of committee on Nat'l. Defense of NJ Chamber of Commerce.

65. Oct. 1940, p. 34 summary p. 94

    Nat'l. Assn. of Manufacturers - several asbestos industries actively involved regarding the defense program. Lewis Brown and J. E. Begert involved in committee work. Keasbey & Mattison's president is on Committee on Healthful Working Conditions.

66. Nov. 1940, p. 12 summary p. 94

    ASTM tests asbestos cloth, included in the 1940-41 Standards. Other asbestos specifications also included (yarn, roofing, tape, fabrics).

67. Nov. 1940, p. 16 summary p. 94

    About 2-1/2 million people visited J-M's World Fair Exhibit Building.

68. Nov. 1940, p. 16 summary p. 94

    Germany replaces asbestos in certain gaskets with synthetic rubber. Asbestos is not readily obtainable in Germany at present.

69. Nov. 1940, p. 16 summary p. 94

    J-M's Triple Insulated House in KY recently publicized by the local gas co. as being economical to heat.

70. Nov. 1940, p. 18 summary p. 94

    Training of pipe coverers - No vocational school exists, training being left up to the union. Most large cities have shortage.

71. Nov. 1940, p. 20 summary p. 95

    Defense program requiring hundreds of articles for various camps and building. Should increase business for two or three years.

72. Nov. 1940, p. 20 summary p. 95

    Market Condition - Raw Fiber. U.S. amosite imports have been very large over last six months. Canadian restrictions exist for certain grades to Japan.

73. Nov. 1940, p. 22 summary p. 95

    Because of ship work, defense program, etc., increased business should occur in paper, Millboard, high and low pressure insulation, and asbestos-cement products.

74. Nov. 1940, p. 26 summary p. 95

    H. E. Manville, Jr. elected J-M Director.

75. Nov. 1940, p. 28 summary p. 95

    CJM held open house for company representatives, distributors and families of employees.

76. Nov. 1940, p. 28 summary p. 95

    Insulation Contractors of Northern Calif. - recently organized principally for collective bargaining with the unions. Consists of mainly heat and cold insulation contractors.

77. Nov. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 95

    J-M's general safety engineer, Fred Lippert, has been drafted by the U.S. Dept. of Labor to administer a government health and safety program to conserve manpower in NY defense industries and prevent potential accidents due to the defense production pressure. He will be paid $1 per year, his time being contributed to defense work by J-M.

78. Nov. 1940, p. 29 summary p. 95

    Lewis Brown serving again as chairman of NY City roll call for Red Cross.

79. Nov. 1940, p. 30 summary p. 95

    Pacific Coast Asbestos Assn. held its annual meeting.

80. Nov. 1940, p. 39 summary p. 95

    1940 edition of U.S. Minerals Yearbook available.

81. Dec. 1940, pp. 12-18 summary p. 95

    Article by L. R. Hoff of J-M "Research in the Asbestos Industry" - discusses Research Dept. and development of asbestos products.

82. Dec. 1940, p. 22 summary p. 95

    Market Condition - ships and cantonment work have made demand strong for millboard.

83. Dec. 1940, p. 24 summary p. 95

    1940-41 edition of ASTM Standards on Electrical Insulating Materials published. Includes specs for yarns, tape and roving and methods for testing glass fibers.

84. Dec. 1940, p. 25 summary p. 96

    Tent Shields have been out of use since Armistice, so when the government started ordering them for use in the national training program, many younger asbestos product salesmen had never heard of them. (Asbestos protective piece placed in a tent through which the stovepipe fits.)

85. Dec. 1940, p. 27 summary p. 96

    J-M will manufacture insulating brick at its recently-acquired plant in Zelienople.

86. Dec. 1940, p. 27 summary p. 96

    A battleship is 93% steel but also contains other materials such as copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, cork, wood, cement, and asbestos.

87. Dec. 1940, p. 32 summary p. 96

    Pacific Coast Asbestos Assn. holds annual meeting, attended by 25 members. Discussed the problem of securing an adequate number of insulators to handle defense program demands. Apprenticeship should be coordinated with unions and state/federal governments.

88. Dec. 1940, p. 32 summary p. 96

    Dr. Edward Bartow taking one-year leave of absence from Univ. of Iowa to join J-M's Research Dept. as chemical consultant.