The Occupational Disease
Commission was faced with a daunting task. There were no
precedents for an industry-wide survey, the Commission was
authorized to complete its surveys within one year, identification
of industries operating in the State were inadequate or
non-existent. To deal with the situation, the Commission limited the
scope of the survey, divided the work by hazardous substance
identity, and appointed a “managing director”, Alice Hamilton. Her
competence, energy, and charm must have been key to her colleagues
willingness to accede to her leadership. She described the situation
as follows:
