Tobacco Documents Online

i'" RDn u iW II lll mll Tobacco 5454 Wisconsirl Ave Institute Chevy Chase Testing Maryland ~0OI 5 Laboratory (301) 652-2042 March 23, 1979 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Board of Directors William L. Steele Report for March 1979 STAFF: No changes. FACILITIESL Our data processing system was upgraded this month hy the addition of a disc. We are now comparable to the FTC laboratory in this area. ACTIVITIES: The order to start the sampling of market sample 23 was given to the contractor this month. No samples have Seen received yet, but they should start arriving soon. Officially the pickup was to start on March 19, however, the contractor had all necessary information by the 15th. All samples are to be shipped to us and the FTC by April 6. It is too early to tell how well this schedule will be met, but to date all contractors have needed more than the allotted time.

-2- The FTD lab appears to be moving ahead as fast as possible (for them) and seems to be under some pressure to do so. Publication of a June report, however~ would require a miracle since a minimum of three months is needed for testing after all samples are received even if everything works perfectly. Their past performance with no additional analyses at one time averaged six months from start of pickup to publication. With the increased number of brands, an additional analysis on an untried machine, and an aging physical plant, it is difficult to see how they can reduce this time, very likely additional time will be needed. Right now a best guess for publication is mid-September. WLS/pk The Board William L. Steele of Directors of T.I.T.L. Mr. Robert L. Kersey Dr. P. H. Leake Dr. R. A. Sanford Dr. Fred J. Schultz Dr. Robert B. Seligman Dr. Murray Senkus