Anne Landman's Collection
Report of Activities Through 540731
Abstract
A report on the activities of Hill & Knowlton to help the cigarette industry out of the difficulties it faced in 1954.
Fields
- Recipient
- Hartnett, T.V.
- Named Organization
- Abc West Coast Network
- Ama Meeting
- Amed, American Medical Association
- American Assn for Cancer Research Sessio
- American Assn for Thoracic Surgery Confe
- American Cancer Society
- American College of Chest Physicians
- American Medical Assn Convention
- American Weekly
- Ap
- Assn of Science Writers
- Associated Press
- Associated Press Features
- Bluebook
- British Empire Cancer Campaign
- Bureau of Internal Revenue
- Business Week
- Bw, Brown & Williamson
- Cbs Tv
- Chieftan Pueblo Co
- Cklw Windsor Ontario
- Congress
- Coronet Films
- Coronet Magazine
- Cosmopolitan Magazine
- Edward R Murrow Show
- Fao, Food and Agriculture Org
- Fawcett Publications
- Fox Movietone
- Harpers
- Hew, Dept of Health Education and Welfare
- Hill Knowlton
- Industrial Health Conference
- Ins
- Intl Cancer Congress Cancer Prevent Comm
- Intl Cancer Congress Sao Paulo
- Intl News Service
- Itc, Industry Technical Comm
- Kabc Los Angeles
- Khj Los Angeles
- Knx Los Angeles
- Ky Heart Assn
- Law Comm
- Louisville Courier Journal
- Mbs Network
- Mbs West Coast Network
- Mgm Telenews
- Natl Press Club
- Natl Tuberculosis Assn Meeting
- Nbc Tv Network
- NCI, Natl Cancer Inst
- Newspaper Enterprise Assn
- Newsweek
- New Yorker
- Ny Academy of Medicine
- Ny Daily News
- Ny Journal American
- Ny Medicine
- Ny Post
- Ny Times
- Ny Univ
- Ny World Telegram + Sun
- Readers Digest
- Real Magazine
- Redbook
- Scientific Advisory Board
- Scripps Howard Papers
- Sloan Kettering Foundation
- Time
- TIRC, Tobacco Industry Research Comm
- Tmer, Tobacco Merchants Assn
- Todays Woman
- Today Show
- True Magazine
- United Features
- Un, United Nations
- Up
- Up Movietone News
- Usda, U.S. Dept of Agriculture
- US News + World Report
- US Press Assn
- Western Journal of Surgery Obst Gynecolo
- Wnbt
- Wor Radio
- Yankee Network
- 6th Intl Cancer Congress
- Abc Tv
- Named Person
- Wilson, E.B.
- Agronsky, M.
- Alhbum, S.
- Arthur, P.
- Binn, S.
- Boyle, H.
- Cameron
- Cameron, C.S.
- Campbelljohnson, A.
- Cocley, D.G.
- Considine, B.
- Cooley, D.
- Edwards, F.
- Engel, L.
- Freindly, F.
- Hahn
- Hahn, P.M.
- Hammond
- Hartnett, T.V.
- Heilbroner, R.
- Heyn, E.
- Hill
- Horn
- Hoyt, W.T.
- Hueper
- Kaempffert, W.
- Little, C.C.
- Macdonald, D.
- Mccomas, O.P.
- Nichols, W.
- Ochsner
- Oppenheim
- Partridge
- Ratcliff, J.
- Rosenblatt
- Shear
- Sinclair, R.
- Striker, H.
- Van, L.
- Weller
- Litigation
- Txag/Produced
- Type
- REPT, REPORT, OTHER
- MEMO, MEMORANDUM
Document Images
CCIWIDE79TIAL
TO: T. V. Hartnett, Chairman /
Tobacco Industry Research ComIDittee
FRCM: Hill and Knovlton, Inc.
SUSJ-ECT: Report of Activities through July 31, 1954
SiJMII1ARY QF ACTIVITIES
The functions of public relations counsel have been threefold:
(1) Over-all policy guidance and prograuming; (2) amainistration of Committee af-
fairs; and (3) public and press relations and contacts. Since these functions
frequently overlap, there can be no clear-cut delineation of activities into these
three categories. In the first section of this report, "Suumary and Background,'
the historical approach is taken. In the second section, "Otber Public ReLationi
Activities," a topical presentation is used.
SUMMAR7 AND BACKGROUt;D:
In mid-December, 1953, executives of leading t obacco coa paniee decide'
some kind of joint action vas imperative in the face of widely publicized attacks
alleging a link between cigarette emoking and lung cancer. Representatives of 5:11
and ICnovlton, I nc., were invited to meet v ith these executives for consultation cn
ways and means of dealing with the problem.
At this first meeting, it vas agreed that the visest course of action
would be for the industry to find out, throu& objective
research, what truth tLe.e
vas, if any, in the charges being made against it. Mr. Hill stated it would be a
serious public relations mistake for the industry to make any move that could ca~se
it to be accused of disregard of people's health and under no circumstances could
the industry afford to engage in direct controversy vitb its detractors. With t~e
acceptance of these principles, Hill and K novlton, Inc. vas asked to recomrnend a
program to implement them.
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After tvo veeks of intensive study of the problem, public relations
counsel developed a step-by-step program vhich vas discussed at a meeting vitb a
small group of public relations representatives of a number of tobacco ccapanies.
Valuable suggestions vere made at this meeting, and the program vas put into final
shape and submitted to the principals at another meeting the last veek of December.
Taking into consideration court ruling inhibiting the industry from or-
dinary trade association activities, the program reccsmended:
1. Formation of an industry group to be knovn as the Tobacco Industry
Research Committee, dedicated to sponsoring and financing researcb
, into all phases of tobacco use and health.
2. Establishment of a Scientific Advisory B oard, to be compoaed of
distinguished research scientists and educators, and a Scientific
Director, to guide the research objectives.
3, Undertaking of continuous editorial research into relevant scientif-
ic, statistical and medical material, past and current, for an effec-
tive information program.
4. Kreping the public informed regarding the C ommittee's activities.
As a first step, a nevspaper advertisement outlining the industrl's
plans vas proposed, copy for vhich vas submitted.
The program and the public statement advertisement vere approved. The
agreed-upon approach vas to sponsor genuinely objective research and to bring to
public attention the fact that there is now no conclusive proof that cigarette
smoking is a cause of lung cancer or other serious problems of human health.
On January 4, the advertisement and nevs announcement appeared and the
T obacco Industry Research Committee vas in being, vith Paul M. Eahn as Chairman for
the first three months.
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Since the Committee bad no headquarters and no staff, Hill and Knovlton,
Inc. vas asked to provide a vorking staff and temporary office space. As a first
organizational step, public relations counael assigned one of its experienced exec-
utives, Y. T. Hoyt, to serve as account executive and handle as one of his functions
the duties of executive secretary for the Tobacco Industry Research Committee.
Selection of Scientific Advisors
The task of selecting a Scientific Director prior to getting a Scientific
,
A dvisory Board proved difficult, and Chairman Hahn decided to reverse the order and
select the Board.
Public relations counsel provided assistance in selecting and inviting a
group of seven scientists, all of vhon agreed to serve, and the first meeting of
the Board vas held on A pril 26.
On a number of occasions, from the atart of the Tobacco Industry Research
Co®ittee early in the year, vben his name vas put forvard by Mr. Hill, Dr. Clarence
C ook Little vas proposed to the Coa®ittee as excellent possibility for Scientific
Director. Wben Dr. Little accepted a place on the Advisory Board, these recoasenda-
tions vere reneved to 0. Parker HcComas, vho had become Cbairman of the Tobacco In-
dustry Research Committee, and various members of the B oard. He vas unanimously
requested by the members to serve as Chairman and to consider becoming Scientific
Director. On June 15, Dr. Little's acceptance vas formally announced,
Dr. Little as Scientific Director
With a highly-respected ana qualified scientist nw in a position to
speak for the Committee on its research problems, it became possible to meet nore
of the public relations problems facing the Com:aittee.
R .
For exaaple, through Dr. Little's full cooperation in press conference
arrangements that included photographers, radio, television and scientific vriters,
it was possible to achieve vide coverage of the purposes and philosopby behind the
industry's research efforts.
After the Hammond-Horn report vas delivered at San Francisco, Dr. Little
was asked to dictate a statement by telephone fran Bar Harbor vhich vas put into
shape for a press release. After clearance vith the S cientific A dvisory Board,
this was issued to the press and widely used, resulting in tempering some of the
hysteria caused by the Hammond-Horn report.
Dr. Little also approved an announcement of the outline of researcbadopteI by the Scientific A
dvieory Board. Dr. Little's skeleton outline was devel-
oped into a full statement for general release to press and radio, with resultant
wide and favorable attention. .
Reaction of the press to such steps has been generally good, as exea-
s
plified in a column by Waldemar Kaempffert of The Rev York Times, dean of the
country's scientific writers:
"The case for and against tobacco consumption as a cause of
cancer may be settled by the Tobacco Industry's Research
Coamittee of vhich Dr. C. C. Little, former director of the
American Cancer Society, is head. Many vill argue that an
impartial investigation can hardly be expected from a body of
experts paid by the tobacco industry. Dr. Little is an eminent
geneticist, a type of scientist who has the courage to face
facts and to state them.'
B ecause of his scientific approacb, Dr. Little correctly feels that the
industry must make no controversial statement on scientific matters unless fully
supported by facts and approved by the Scientific Advisory Board.
Yr. Hartnett as Full-Time Chairman
Final step in the formal organization of the Tobacco Industry Research
.5-
Coammittee vas the selection of Timothy V. Bartnett, retiring president of Brovn
and Williamaon Tobacco Corporation, as full-time chairman, rather than to continue
rotating the chairmanship. He assumed his duties on July 1, vitb appropriate public
announcement.
Throughout the formative period, Chairmans Hahn and NcComas provided
valuable leadership in developing both the organizational and public relations
aspects of the Committee's work. }tr. Boyt., with staff assistance, handled liaison,
agendas, organizational plans, business affairs, reports, and materials for meetinga
of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the
Industry Techraical Committee, in addition to developing operating procedures for
the research program and carrying on continuing contacts with the Ca~nittee and
Advisory Board members.
Periodic meetings are held vith public relations representatives of the
various c unpanies. Worthwhile suggestions have ccme from members of this group,
b oth at the meetings and in tbeRA interim.
OTfW PUBLIC REIATIONS ACTIVITIES
The information work of public relations counsel was carried on and
developed throughout the formative period of the C omrittee. It includes several
categories of activities which vi11 be described in detail.
I. TIRC As An Information Source
A continuing important function is to build up the TIRC as a reliable
and authoritative source of facts relating to the tobacco and health
problem. That this is being done is indicated by the growing number of inquiries
f rom vriters and editors of various publications, newspapers, press services and
b roaCcaeting ccmpanies.
R
of basic
As a part of this vork, the building and maintaining of a TIRC librarF
informational material is in progress, preseat materials include:
1. A cross indexed card file on medical and scientific papers regarding
smoking and health that are noted by the A. 7. Academy of Medicine
in some 2,500 medical journals published throughout the vorid, Kost
pertinent material is obtained in full.
2. Basic books dealing vitb tobacco, its history, and other relevant
technical or general volumes.
3. Special files of all pertinent press clippings.
4. A cross indexed card file on medical opinions regarding the cigar-
ette ette controversy as noted in press, radio and other popular media is
compiled from the clippings.
5. Full texts of speeches, announcements, panel discussions, and similar
material which are germane and available.
6. Data relating to other related phases of smoking and health, both
here and in foreign countries, obtained froai established sources.
This includes published material from U. S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department oi
Agriculture, Food and Agricultural Cmganization, the Tobacco Merchants
Association and the U. lt.
7. Curriculum vitae of Scientific Advisory B oard members is maintained
on file, as vell as some information about their scientific vork.
II. General News Releases
Eleven general nevs stories have been distributed since the formation
of the Coammittee. In each instance, direct personal contact vas mede
vith major nevs outlets in the press, radio and magazine fields, through staff
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members in Nev Y ork and field offices. An indication of the results has been in-
cluded in the photostatic neva summariea that have been sent regularly to Comnittee
members.
The releases vere:
1. Announcement of the formation of the Co~ittee, January h, 1954.
2. Abstract of Dr. Rosenblatt's paper, March 17, 1954.
3. Announcement of publication of "Scientific Perspective," April lh,
1954.
4. Selection of Scientific Advisory Board, April 27, 1954.
5. Research Projects invited for consideration by Scientific Adviscry
Board, May 18, 1954.
6. Appointment of Dr. Little as Scientific Director of the Tobacco In-
dustry Research Committee and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory
B oard, June 15, 1954.
7. Dr. Little's statement regarding the Aam~ond-Horn Report, June 22,
1954.
8. Mr. Hartnett appointed Chairman of the Tobacco Industry Researcb
Coamittee, July 1, 1954.
9. Dr. E. B. Wilson beeomes a member of Scientific Adv Uory Board,
July 20, 1954.
10. Dr. Eueper's talk at Sao Paulo distributed vith "Highlighta," July
26, 1954.
11. Dr. Little announcea scope of research program, July 28', 1954.
Each press announcement is prepared and distributed individually, ac-
cording to the type of story. A case history of some of the steps taken on one
release is that of Dr. Bueper'e talk at Sao Ppulo, Brazil:
r
-a.
1.
al
Advance cbecking on the Sixth InternationfCancer Congress revealed
that Dr, Hueper of the National Cancer Institute vas scheduled to talk
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on "Environmental Cancer of the Lung, (Other information, of course,
vas also obtained and folloved up.)
2. The Hill and Knovlton, Inc., Washington office, requested to folla
up on this intormation, obtained from Dr. Hueper an advance copy of
his talk and sent it to Nev York.
3. Study of the paper shoved it contained nevavorthy material concerring
lung cancer and particularly concerning the lack of a proven link be-
,
tveen lung cancer and smoking.
4. Further inquiry in Washington brought out that no press distribution
of the talk vas contemplated either by Dr. Hueper or the 19ational
Cancer Institute. In viev of this, permission from Dr. Hueper vas
obtained to distribute copies of his talk to the press, on bis strict
condition that this be done only after it vas certain, that be had
actually delivered it -- placing it in the public dcmain.
5. Reproduction of the 17-page paper, of two pages of bighligbts, and of
a covering note to editors from Hill and 1Cnarlton, Inc., and all prep-
arations for distribution vere made in advance of the talk.
6. Special liaison vith representatives in Sao Paulo was established to
give vord of Dr. Hveper's delivery as quic kly as possible, so as to
enable distribution of the talk vhile it vas still nevsvortby. Hvv-
ever, due to postponement in Dr. Hueper's presentation, this notifi-
cation did not arrive until after 2 o'clozk Monday afternoon -- qrate
late to begin press distribution.
Personal delivery of the Hueper release vas made to important nevs-
papers and services as vell as distribution to science writers, edi-
torial vritere and feature vriters. Evidence of use of the mate::al
N
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is still being observed, (For example, "Science in Reviev,' page
E-7, New York Times, Sunday, August 1; INS Sunday column for August
8; U. S. News and World Report, August 6, page 85.)
8. Although ma~r of tbe vriters coveriag tDe Sno Paulo seeting failed
to mention the Hueper talk in their dispatches, it is significant
that, as a result of the distribution in the U.S.A., stories ques-
tioning a link between smoking and cancer were given wide attention,
both in headlines and stories. In some press accounts, the Hueper
story took precedence over the reports of Dre. Hamnond and Wynder,
even though the latter vere made availab le to the press in advance
of their delivery on a hold-for-release basis.
III. Special Assistance to P ress, Radio, Magazines and Others
This category might include many more items than those listed since
there have been numerous telephone calls and personal contacts made on
which the ultimate results are not yet knovn.
F olloving are eome examples of such assistance:
1. ConsiderabLe source material vas read and digested to provide facta
for a column written by Hal Boyle, distributed nation-wide by the
Associated Press. (Note: Many of the basic facts also are incor-
porated in material given to other vriters.)
2. Special personal contacts are being made regularly with Time, revsveek,
U. S. News and World Report, and Business Week editors to encourage
use of TIFtC materiel.
3. Through personal contacts, advance information was obtained that a
prominent magazine intended to report a growing lack of interest in
the TIRC program on the pert of participe ting companies. This ref-
erence vas removed fros the story when the facts vere brought before
the magazine editors.
~. By personal contact, advance Ynowledge was obtained of a story oa
smoking by Bob Considine for Cosmopolitan Magazine. Information
was supplied resulting in seven revisions and five qualifying addi-
tions to the story which was already in type,
5. Considerable information and asaistance was provided Donald 0. Cocley
in the preparation for his story in True Magazine. This entailed
=W~
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conferences with the author to vork on factual revisions.
6. Further researcb and assembling of material and personal conferences
have been extended Mr. Cooley to provide him requested aid in his
writing of a 48-page, low-priced book for newsstand sales and angled
at the idea "You don't have to give up smoking." Favicett Publications
is issuing the book entitled "Smoke Without Fear," in late August and
early September.
7. Personal discussions with editorial writers and the supplying of
material preceded the appearance of several positive editorials in
the fiev York Daily News.
8. Several other editorials which have appeared in newspapers through-
out the country were the result of information provided by mail or
through direct personal contacts by branch office staff nembers of
Hill and Knovlton, Inc. Lditorials in the influential Washington
papers are an example.
9. Two editorials widely used in "home tovn" dailies and weeklies thrcugh-
out the country were prepared for and then distributed by the U. 6.
Press Association. These were "The Same Old Culprit" and "Trutb
Makes a Slow C rop." C{ver 100 clippings of these have already beea
received.
