G. E. Parker to H. R. Keefe and Others on Delays in Labeling Talc (1974)

A one-page memo of June 18, 1974, from G. E. Parker, a J-M lawyer, to H. R. Keefe, C. J. Sulewski and J. A. McKinney, copied to R. B. Von Wald. Parker writes that their proposed timetable for labeling talc products exposed the company to "continuing possibilities of fines and other penalties for another 75 days." He could not conceive of any circumstance that would "justify a continuation of these obvious violations," and said gummed labels could be on every shipment by July 8.

What it shows

"As Counsel for Johns-Manville Corporation I again advise you to promptly place the required label on every shipment of product containing free tremolite," Parker wrote. "Your continuing delays in complying with the law are not defensible." Four days earlier W. C. Streib had proposed how the talc caution label should be worded (Streib to Keefe).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

In a memorandum to H.R. Keefe, C.J. Sulewski, J.A. McKinney from G.E. Parker, dated 6/18/74, Parker states that the proposed timetable for labeling talc products subjects Manville to continuing possibilities of fines and other penalties for another 75 days. He states that as counsel for Manville Corporation, he advises them to promptly place the required label on every shipment of products containing free tremolite. He states that the continuing delays in complying with the law are indefensible.

Editor's note: J-M's description says Parker wrote as counsel for "Manville Corporation"; in 1974 the company was Johns-Manville Corporation, as the memo shows.