T. W. Fletcher to S. A. Williams on Dust Conditions at Los Angeles (1932)

A one-page letter of December 27, 1932, from T. W. Fletcher, superintendent of J-M's Los Angeles factory, answering S. A. Williams's memo of December 20. "Nothing has been done regarding dust collecting equipment or protecting employees from dust conditions at this location," Fletcher writes. He thought the dust problem not serious and had "just let the matter ride" until D. C. Renton's visit to the coast. No physical examinations had been given, since there was little sickness and no new hiring; he offered to get a price if Williams wanted them.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

T.W. Fletcher (Los Angeles Plant Manager) memorandum of 12/27/32, responds to Williams' memorandum of 12/20/32. Fletcher states that "nothing has been done regarding dust collecting equipment or protecting employees from dust conditions at this location." Fletcher states that since the dust problem at LA is not a serious one, he would prefer having Renton's opinion regarding the installation of dust collection equipment before submitting any plans for approval. For this reason, he has "just let the matter ride until his [Renton's] visit to the coast." With regard to the physical examination program, Fletcher states that since there has been so little sickness among his employees and no new employees have been hired, no physical exams have been given. If Williams wants to proceed with an exam program now, Fletcher will proceed with it. (5200-5059)

Related documents

• S. A. Williams to J-M Plant Managers Asking for a Report on Dust Control (1932)