Letters Sent to Herbert N. McCoy, January 11, 1928

Jamury 11,1928. Dr. Herbert N. McCoy. Harper Plaza Hotel, 5129 Harper Ave., Chicago, Ill. Dear Dr. McCoy: We are herewith sending you a copy of a report rendered to us June 3,1924, by one Cecil K. Drinker, of the Department of Physiology, Harvard University, who frequently investigates industrial hazards. This report constitutes the first investigation which would intimate that radium might be the cause of the condition existing among certain of our employees. Prior to this investigation Dr. Drinker had little or no knowledge concerning radium which he so states in his report. You will un- doubtedly note that the report is quite thorough in the investigation go far as it goes - that is checking up various possibilities as to what might be causing our trouble, as well as physical examination of such employees as we had at the time of Dr. Drinker's investigation. The question with which we are concerned is whether in view of our experience and knowledge at that time as to the hazardous effects of radium as used in luminous material preparations, would we have been justified in accepting Dr. Drinker's conclusions that radium must in all probability be the cause of the trouble even though his proof was based on negative evidence. We would very much apprecia te your careful consideration of this report together with your opinion, based on your knowledge and information at that time (1924), as to whether we were justified in not accepting the report as conclusive evidence that radioactive materials were causing the condition existing among certain of our employees. Dr. Drinker rendered a supplementary report in July 1924, which contributes nothing further of material importance to his original report. Our attorneys feel that yor opinion on this subject will be of major importance if you should be called to testify as an expert witness. With kind personal regards, I remain Cordially yors, HHBarker:RE Vice President. enclosure