Council for Tobacco Research
Confidential Attachment #1 Statement by the Chairman [Review of Public Relations Responses to Reports on Smoking and Health]
Abstract
CNF
Fields
- Type
- REPORT
- Master ID
- Ht0145211-5237
- HT0145211-5213 Confidential Report Tobacco Industry Research Committee Meeting [St]
- HT0145221-5233 Attachment #2 Confidential Public Relations Report to the Tobacco Industry Research Committee [Regards Press Coverage of Smoking and Health Issues]
- HT0145234-5234 Attachment #3 Status of Grants [Progress of Research and Publications]
- HT0145235-5236 Attachment #4 Cash Statement [Summarizes Cash on Hand with Projected Cash Receipts Compared to Receipts for 1954 to 1956]
- HT0145237-5237 Summary Proposed Budget 1957 Vs. Budget 1956 [Budget for 1956 with Proposals for 1957]
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Tonacco InvusrRr R$srsncH Con3nrrr.E
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CONFIDENTIAL ARTACHMEN'r #1
STATEMENT BY TRE CEAIRMAN
October 9, 1956
1. New Member and Treasurer
I would like to welcome Mr. Lewis Gruber who is with us today as the
new member of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee representing the
P. Lorillard Company. You are all aware that Mr. Gruber has succeeded Mr.
Halley as president of that Company.
Mr. Gruber has graciously consented to serve as Treasurer of TIRC,
which office had been held by his predecessor, Mr. Halley. I will entertain
a motion for his election.
2. Executive Committee Meeting
Your Chairman, Executive Secretary, Dr. Little and Messrs. Hill and
Darrow of Hill and Knowlton, Inc., met with the Executive Committee on
June 21st, in the absence of a formal meeting of the TIAC. We discussed the
problem of meeting the exceptionally heavy monetary demands in 1956 and 1957
caused by renewals of research grants which are at a peak in those tvo years.
As a result, a supplementary appropriation of $200,000, to be applied against
grants during these two years, was voted. These funds will be derived by
payment of an extra one-eighth of a cent per thousand cigarettes for tbe
second six months of 1956.
This was the only action taken at the Executive Committee cneeting.
Other informational matters taken up at that time vill be covered during
today's meeting.
A motion is in order giving full Committee approval to this supple-
mentary appropriation.
~. Approval of Grants
Since the last Committee meeting, the Scientific Advisory Board bas
approved a number of new and renewed research projects. Formal Comittee
approval should be voted for appropriating funds for these grants. I will
ask the Executive Secretary to tell us the amounts involved, and then ask
for a sotion to formalise these grants.

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4. Dr. Little's Retirement from 7ackson Memorial Lt;boratory
As I am sure you all know, Dr. Little has been elected Director
FSOeritaa of Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory. Although retiring from
the presidency and from active direction of Laboratory activities, be will
continue to bave certain responsibilities in connection with Jackson
Laboratory. However, Dr. Little tells me that in the near future he vill
be able to spend an increasing amount of time in his off:ces here. I must
say that Dr. Lit' .le has always been available whenever we needed him, but
we are lookin.g forward to having him closer at hand more frequently for
his advice and canssltation.
5. Dr. Cattell's Aew Aasocia+ion
Dr. McKeen Catzell, wno ia a valued menl:Pr of the Sc'entific
Advisory Board and who is affiliated with the CcrnEll University Medical
College, has taken a year's leave of absence to serve as the Administrator
of Grants for Fellowships and T,evelops:ent of Scientific Personnel at the
American Cancer Society.
When I,r. Cattell originally considered this post there was some
question of his remaining as a member of the Board. This was discussed
with the authorities at the American Cancer Society sai with your Chairman,
the Scientific :drector and Executive Secreta;~y. The conclusion vas that
Dr. Cattell Would contir.ue to serve as a member of tbe Scientific Advisory
Board, and the additional liaison which -,rill result from this new responsi-
bility should be mutually worthwhile.
6. Joint S+.ui,y Gr^up on Tobaccc+ and Health
A Joint Study Group dealing with tobacco and bealtb has been formed
by the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the
National Cancer Institute. A meeting was held on August 11-12 at Woods
Hole, Massachusetts. The bas'_c members of this grosp are:
R. J. Bing, Washington University
Dean Davies, American Cancer Society
R. Eugene Dyer, Fmory L'niversity
Alvin I. Koesk, Post-Graduate Me:1ical School, New York University
Abe Lilie:rfeid, University of Buffalo, Roswell Park Memorial Inst.
Norton Nelson, New York University-Bellevue Medical Center
Michael Shimkin, Natior.al Institutes of Health
Frank Strong, University oP Wisconsin
George Wrigbt, University of Toronto
At formal meetings of this Group various other scientists will be invited
to discuss specific subjects. At the August 11-12 mPeting, for Instance,
Dr. S. B. Haag of the Medical College of Virginia and Dr. Philippe Shubik
of Chicago Medical School were present.

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2. Tobacco ~Lnui'acturere' Stsnding Co:mnittee
Although getting little attention In this country, on August 2nd, our
British colleagues announced the formation of a Tobacco Manufacturers'
Standing Committee with scientific advisors and purposee. This action In
similar In many respects to that which we took late in 1953. Sir Alexander
Maxrrell will act as Chairman of the Committee. Campbell-Johnson, Ltd.,
Hill and Knowlton'e affiliate in England, has been appointed public relations
counsel to the Comeittee, and C. F. Todd of the Imperial Tobacco Company,
Ltd., is acting as Secretary pending the appointment of a permanent
Secretary, We are meeting with represente,ives of the TM.S; at the end of
October in order to effect the maximum cooperation possible between our
gr oups .
10. General Situation
In our own situation, the paet several months have shown the value
of the cooperative and coordinated efforts of the TII'iC organization for deal-
ing with the problem of public att.acke as well as with developments In
scientific research.
As you all know, it is imperative that each decision be based on
t'ne soundest judgment. I would like to emphasize that our activities are the
result of mutual planning and consideration by the TIRC administrative staff,
scientific advisora, public relations counsel and, frequently, members of the
Executive Committee.
The period since our last meeting In February has seen several major
problems, including a couple of sensational attacks reminiecent of the early
days of the Committee.
The outlook for the future also is not without danger signs, some of
which we are anticipating and will be discussed, and some of which We cannot,
of course, foresee at this time.
There have been at leW a half-dozen occasions when we felt d=rect
comment on newspaper stories vae necessary and public statements were issued.
11. World-Telegram Story on Ranaaond-Horn Study
The most recent occasion for coam+ent and action was the sensational
story featured Friday, September 28, by the Scripps-Hovard newspapers,
including the World-Telegram and Sun 1n Nev York. This copyrighted story
purported to outline in advanMce of publication the final findings of the
Ha®ond-Horn statistical study being sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
The fact is that this story contained no real news but iras primarilaY
a repeet of previous reports concerning this study. This In borne out by the
fact that science editors of the major newspapers and wire services showed
indifference to the story after they examined it, and it aid not even appear
in Tlie New York Times or Herald Rribune.

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The purpose of this Group is reported to be to investigate work underway
dealing with tobacco and health, and to make recosmendations for work to be
done in that field. It is presumed to be a long-term program to take
several years. The meeting at Woods Hole was a harmonious one and virtually
no attacks were made on tobacco as such.
Another meeting of this Group was held for October 6-7 to discuss the
heart and gastrointestinal phases of tobacco use. Doctors Cattell and Comroe
of the Scientific Advisory Eoard attended this meeting.
Hueper.
It is expected that another meeting will be held on the pathological
aspects, to which Dr. Reimann is to be invited, as well as Drs. Wynder and
These are not public meetings and it is not the practice of this Group
to give out publicity concerning the meetings, although it is always possible
that something might leak out from individuals in attendance.
7. Research Results Being Published
I would like to point out that the research under the Tobacco Industry
Researl~b Committee's sponsorship is now progressing rapidly and some papers
are being published. While these early papers appear to have no major impact,
they are considered important in the scientific world. The publication, for
example, of the study of Drs. Cooper and Knight in the New England Journal of
Medic:ne concerning their research on the effects of tobacco smoking on gastric
secretions of ulcer patients shr1 new light on the significance of smoking in
relation to gastric ulcers. Ta? found no significant difference in the gastric
secretions between smokers and non-smokPrs. The only other paper published to
date acknowledging TIRC support concerned tests for cancer-causing substances
on mice. (Bock and Mund of Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, in the
Journal of Investigative Dermatology.)
8. Visits to Europe
During the spring and summer, our liaison with the significant investi-
gations being carried on in Englanrt were greatly strengthened through visits
by Drs. Little and Cattell. These visits, I can assure you, have been helpful
not only in the development of our own work. They have also been appreciated
by members of the British tobacco industry who are interested in our mutual
problem and are under more constant attack. You are doubtless aware of the
pressures which have been brought on the British Minister of Health to under-
take a campaign against smoking, as was reported in one of the recent press
summaries sent to you.
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We have been assured by Scripps-BoWard executives that the empbasis
given this story does not represent any editorial policy of attack against
the tobacco industry, but that it was considered by the writer and hi
editor as a legitimate news "beat." That there could be aisagreenient over
the newvalue of the story is conceded to be a matter of opinion.
This illustrates the constant danger present when writers who are
unfamiliar with the complexities of the cancer problem and cancer research
attempt to write a story about the subject.
FSrom several reliable sources we are told that the reporter got his
story from an almost acciQental conversation with Cuyler Aammoad which
occurred during the writer's visit to the Cancer Society's office. in search
of a differert story altogether. We are told officials of the Society did
nc+t sanction the story and regretted the manner in which it vas presented.
We have, of course, known all along that we could expect further
undesirable publicity when the final Eamsond 8orn results were published,
and we are fully aware that this recent publicity to the Cancer Society study
will not be the last.
12. Life and Reader's Digest ldeetings
Publication in two national =gas3nes of attacks on cigarttes gave
occasion to useful coaterences with the chief editorial personn1 of those
publications.
Following the appearance in the Jhne 11 issue of Lile Xagasine of an
article based largely on Dr. Aurbaoh's study of hmrnig tissues talten
friim autopsies, we had a aeting with 8enty Lace, ffiitor-in-0hif of the
Time-Lile publications, as well as sveral of his assoeiats. Dr. Little,
John Eili and Richard Darror of 313.1 an6 Knowlton, Inc., and I hsd a vearir
satisfactory conference. This was follovd a ool3Dle or we]n l.tw by a
luncheon-meeting with soms of Life's top aitorial staff to diseuss the
scientific approach of the Camgei still further.
An article in the J4djr Reader's Di st entitled "WV an Airline P31o!t
Quit Smoking" proopted a c s anas o! the contents of this artiole.
Following this, we had a aetin` with DeWitt Wallace, editor of S Reader's
Dieest, and his top aebical Yriters. Dr. Little eqlained the sareAr =a
approach of the 'hobaooo Industry Research Cosmitt, and Mr. Darrow and I
discussed other aspscts of intrest. There have been follow-up contacts
resulting from these sessions and further conferences with th staffs of
thse reasias are planned.
Certainly there is now a bitter nnderstandiag of our position aad our
problem, and I believe that ve vill have the opportwaity at lsut to be
consulted in the future on articles dalini with our field of iaterst.

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13. Conferences with Dr. Nliddleton and Dr. Dorn
Because we have all been concerned with the direction of the so-called
"Veterans Study of Lung Cancer," both Dr. Hockett and I made a spec_al visit
to Dr. Middleton, Chief Medical Director of the Veterans Administration to
discuss the veterans study with him. Dr. Middleton was fully aware of the
Tobacco Industry Research Committee's activities and spoke highly of them.
He assured us of whatever cooperation he could extend, although he pointed
out that the major work in the veterans study is being carried out by the
Public Institutes of Health.
As a result of this, Dr. Hockett visited Dr. Harold F. Dorn of the
National Institutes of Health and has established a friendly working
relationship with Dr. Dorn, who has assured us that there is nothing imminent
in the way of a final report of this study. However, s preliminary sampling
of their findings is expected to get underva.y this fall and we will watch
this with greatest interest.
14. American Cancer Society
On October 8, Drs. Cattell and Hockett, Mr. Mefford R. Runyon,
Executive Vice Pres:dent of the American Cancer Society, and I ba.d luncheon.
The purpose was to become better acquainted and to effect a better mutual
understanding. I have every reason to believe this was accomplished.
Mr. Runyon confirmed the fact that the World-Telegram report of the
Hammond-Horn study was not in any sense an o:`ficial release of the American
Cancer Society.
In response to a direct question, Mr. Run,yon indicated that the
Society as such has taken no official stand on tobacco use. It is its
intention to limit itself to releasing scientific findings and observations
from wbich the public may draw its own conclusions. '
The forthcoming ACS pamphlet on smoking and cancer will be of this
character. It will definitely be Mr. Rnnyon's policy to show the manuscript
to TIRC's public relations counsel In advance of publication. Mr. Ranyon
indicated his complete willingness to be consulted directly by TIRC on any
problem, and accepted the invitation to feel equally free to call us. Both
parties are understood to be at liberty to state the fact frankly if any
question arises which cannot be fully answered. Mr. Runyon also expressed
approval of the full exchange of information about grants and projects.
Regarding the Ha,romond-Sorn statistical study, no further follow-up
on the 186,000 men being surveyed is intended and the statisticians are now
at work completing their tabulations and Interpretation of the data. Formal
publication of the final report is not intended until sometime in 1q57.
The annual meeting of the Society here in New York at the end of this
month will doubtless result in more information concerning the Cancer
Society's activities about lung cancer.

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15. General Outlook
In both the scientific and lay press, we see increasing signs of
broadening recognition that the problen of lung cancer goes far beyond
any statistical relationship to cigarette smoking. While tobacco is still
under close scientific scrutiny in relation not only to lung cancer, but
also in the cardiovascular field, there is a growing disnosition to
concede that the finger of suspicion ca.nnot be pointed to cigarettes alone.
This has both its good and bad aspects.
On the bad side, it still tends to implicate cigarettes and there
is an unfortunate tendency to accept without critical analysis the conclusions
of such men as Hammond and Horn and Dr. Wynder. Also, there is increased
comment concerning tobacco as a possible co-suspect which, in combination with
other factors, may be suspected of helping to induce certain ailmente.
On the other hand, it has resulted in less sensational treatment
of the more emotional attacks against tobacco and has encouraged the lay press
to present more balanced stories where tobacco is involved.
On the scientific side, this broadened attitude has meant greater
freedom for investigators to analyze critically the accusations against
tobacco and to continue or initiate sound research into some of the basic
questions whicb still remain unresolved. This comes back, then, to the
fact that the real backbone of our program has been and must continue to be
our scientific research program, so ably developed by Dr. Little and his
colleagues. Certainly tbe industry bas gained real stature es a result of
its willingness to put the problem in the hands of the scientists.
While 14 is not alva,qs easy to take the emotional, e.nd often
unscientific, attacks of the industry's detractors, I personally feel
certain that our method of dealing with these attacks has proved to be sound
and, on the whole, extremely beneficial not only to our industry but to the
scientists vho have so unselfishly given of th.ir time and wisdom to help
us get at the real facts.
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