Tobacco Documents Online

ogo~0£ W.W~IT£SlD[ L~¢ I.MOA[V HD~¢E O~ H~CH~L S~*~bA~D DONH ~a~r ¢,OORMLrT ¢ W~m~KS ~ t*U~N CIL~DBOURNE.PARKE,WHITESIDE & WOLY.~' . ~ ,., e~ BROAdWaY, NEw YO~K 4. N Y % ~t ~'~ L( • • " "(2 ~ " July 31, 1957 M~. W. T. Hoyt, Executive Secretary Tobacco Industry Research Committee 150 East ~2nd Street New Nork 17, ~ew York Dear Mr. Hoyt: In M~. Whlteslde~s absence On vacation I take the liberty of replying to your letter of July 29th enclosing the co~nunieation from Com- mander Lewis addressed to Mr. Rartnett. Whether or not the idea was suggested with the thought of reward, it seems to me to fall into the ola~s of suggestions which a~e more of a commercial nature than of scientific interest and which mi~qt therefore be handled in the same fashion as some others in the past. Accordingly I submit herewith my suggestion for a reply. I am also retu/nlng ~he letter from Co~mlander Lewis. Enclosures Sincerely, 11287498 CTR 98 CLqNG 00010

• f Suggestion for reply to Commander Lewis [Address] Dear Sir: [Date) I am writing to acknowledge your ~etter of July 24th. I was interested to note that you have not been persuaded that a cause and effect relation between cigarette smoke and the incidence of lung cancer has been established. As you may know, it is the view of our scientific advisers that it has not been proved that tobacco use contributes to the origin of cancer nstwithstanding theLsbatistical associations that have been sited. However, [ think the idea you present is not appropriately directed to our organization. I should explain to you that the Tobacco Industry Research Committee was organized to undertake certain definite aotlvitles in the public interest. Its only functions are to assist soleTltifie research with particular relation to tobacco use and health, and to make available to the public factual informatlon on the subject. We do not participate in, nor give 11287499 CIR 98 CONG 00011

f -2- consideration to any matter affecting the business conduct or activities of our members. Since our pur- pose is to encourage research and to make available to the public the results, it is o~r policy to accept infiormation only in the event it is dedicated to us for public use. I do not believe that your proposal comes within the purview of our functions. Since oD/• aims and activities have.aroused a great deal of. interest, many individuals have sent, or offered to send to us information which is deemed to be helpful. However, if this seems not to be in the fu~thera/ioe of our particular objectives, we are not in a position to take action concerning it, nor do we regard it as within our province to eonmlunicate it to any of our members. I appreciate very much nevertheless the interest which prompted you in writing us on the subject. Yours very truly, 11287500 CTR 98 EOHG 00012