J. P. Woodard to A. S. Elsenbast on the Lompoc List of Advanced Cases (1950)

A one-page confidential memo of September 1, 1950, from J. P. Woodard at J-M headquarters to A. S. Elsenbast, headed "Industrial Hygiene - Lompoc." When Woodard, Elsenbast and "Doc" Cummins visited the coast in the fall of 1949, the Lompoc diatomaceous earth plant had been asked for "a list showing the individuals whose physical examinations disclosed very marked changes and whose cases were relatively well advanced." The method "has proven effective at other locations," and sample spread sheets had been left as a guide.

What it shows

Lompoc had not yet prepared the list, although plant manager E. T. Legge had promised it in July. From examination cards that Hugh Jackson had sent back to Lompoc, Woodard estimated there "might not be a great many cases, possibly 30 or 40." He asked Elsenbast to follow up on his next visit, writing, "I feel sure this will be helpful to us in getting a picture of the situation, as it has been at other locations." The earlier letters about this list are in the Lompoc special list correspondence.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Memorandum from J.P. Woodard to A.S. Elsenbast, dated 9/1/50 entitled "Industrial Hygiene - Lompoc." This memorandum confirmed in writing some arrangements which were made during a visit to Lompoc "early last Fall." Lompoc was instructed to develop a list of those individuals whose physical examinations disclosed "very marked changes and whose cases were relatively well advanced". Woodard reported that this method had "proven effective at other locations. Some spread sheets of the way the information is shown at one of the other locations were left for them to follow as a guide in setting up the information." Woodard notes that based on examination cards previously sent to headquarters he would estimate that there are not a great many cases, possibly 30 or 40 for this list. In closing, Woodard notes: "I feel sure this will be helpful to us in getting a picture of the situation, as it has been at other locations."

Related documents

• J-M Correspondence on a Confidential "Special List" of Workers with Advanced Changes at Lompoc (1950)