E. M. Fenner to W. M. Deutsch on Answering the Tilo Company's Objection to Caution Labels (1968)

A one-page memo of December 4, 1968, from E. M. Fenner of Johns-Manville's Environmental Control Department at the Research & Engineering Center, headed "Labelling - Asbestos Fiber Bags, Tilo Company, Inc." It was typed to H. M. Ball at headquarters, whose name is struck through and replaced by hand with "W M Deutsch." Fenner attached a letter from the Tilo Company to J-M's asbestos fiber salesman, H. A. Boisclair, which had been referred to him "for reply in accordance with Executive Bulletin 34-124," and asked for comments on "the proper answers" and whether the Legal Department or his own department should answer it.

What it shows

Tilo, a customer, had asked Canadian Johns-Manville to leave the new caution label off its fiber bags as "unduly alarming to our employees" (Tilo's letter of November 19, 1968). A handwritten note at the foot, dated 12-17-68 and initialed, apparently by Deutsch, records the decision: "Ed Fenner will write Tilo that labeling is co. policy + we can't deviate; will soften reply by reference to state law requirements and common law. He will clear ltr. with me before mailing." Warren Max Deutsch had reviewed the wording of the fiber-bag caution statement earlier that year (his memo of March 22, 1968). The memo shows J-M keeping the label for a domestic customer who objected.

About this copy

The attached Tilo letter is not in this copy.