O. B. Westmont and Arthur Elsenbast on the Carl A. Whipple Autopsy at Lompoc (1948)

Two confidential memos about Carl A. Whipple, a foreman at the brick plant at J-M's Lompoc, California, works who died in December 1948. On December 31 O. B. Westmont at Lompoc wrote to A. S. Elsenbast at headquarters that the understanding was to have an autopsy on the death of any employee with three or more years of service, "regardless of the degree of dust exposure," to obtain "factual information," as Leroy Gardner had urged. Elsenbast replied on January 5 that the steps were proper and "the quicker we get the information on every phase of this problem, the better off we will be," but that "we do not wish to have any action taken or any views spread which would create an alarmist attitude or condition."

What it shows

Westmont reported that Whipple's X-rays had been classed as abnormal for several years, although his dust exposure had been "rather limited," and he passed on the causes listed on the death certificate. Elsenbast left it to Westmont and the plant doctor to see that such matters were "handled correctly," and asked to be told at once of any conflict with the medical people or if they wanted "any radical steps." Both memos were copied to J. P. Woodard and Vandiver Brown.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Memorandum dated 12/31/48 from O.B. Westmont (Lompoc) to A. Elsenbast regarding the autopsy performed on Carl Whipple, an employee at the brick plant. Westmont explains his understanding that it is the policy to have an autopsy performed upon the death of any employee with three or more years of service regardless of the degree of dust exposure. In a reply letter of 1/5/49, Elsenbast assures Westmont that Westmont followed proper procedures. Elsenbast states "the quicker we get the information on every phase of this problem, the better off we will be." He also mentions the company does not want "action taken or views spread which would create an alarmist attitude or condition." He asks Westmont to let him know if there is a conflict of opinion between the medical people and himself or if they desire to take any "radical steps."