>A source I have used for years is Tri-Ess in Pasadena Ca.
>there are some things they will not ship. They also are very careful to
meet all
>the shipping requirements (and there are many). As a last suggestion, you
might
>consider including some cautionary (lawyer approved) material in your
>forthcoming catalog.
If wasn't for Ira Katz and Tri-Ess we'd not be in business. Ira is now in
his mid 80's with about 20% use of his right arm and numerous stitches in
his abdomen. One of Tri-Ess's is sidelines Hollywood special effects
materials. It was an experiment that went bad. About 6 people were
hospitalized, most were critical but all survived.
I've spent many hours in his library, sharing conversation and coffee. Ira
is something of a libertarian at heart. Back in the 80's the Feds wanted him
to report everyone who looked "suspicious" and bought a Ohaus balance or lab
glassware. He refused. One day a friend of mine was going to teach a photo
course at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, where incidently Ansel Adams
taught in the 30's. We went to Tri-ess to get Cubitainers for the lab. I
drove a 68 Chevy Nova. We both had jobs in La City hall. Unbeknownst that we
were part of a stakeout, we loaded the Cubitainers in the Chevy, and when
we arrived at the City Hall Parking lot in Chinatown, all hell broke loose.
It was like a Hollywood movie. Cars surrounded us with tires squeeling and
George and I faced some of the squirrliest looking characters you ever saw,
all with drawn guns behind open car doors. A loudspeaker said to get out and
put hands on the car hood etc etc. One of the guys then started unloading
the empty Cubitainers and shaking them. He asked us what was in them. George
said "Air", our hands still on the hood and guns still pointed at us. In a
few minutes there was the sorriest bunch of characters standing around
sniffing at the open Cubitainers, really looking sad. Without a comment they
starting leaving, one car at a time, and before the last guy left, George
said "Sorry to ruin your day."
An interesting story with a moral that pertains to what most of us are
about. I've never in my life faced 7 or 8 loaded guns pointed directly at
me, and for a few seconds we had no idea who they were. They were undercover
men in Tshirts, Levi's, and punkish haircuts, the work. We could have gotten
killed if we had made the wrong move. Buying chemistry or empty cardboard
boxes with plastic bladders in them makes you a criminal suspect. Ira fought
them in and won. George and I gave depositions to his and their lawyers, and
the stakeout was lifted.
Dick Sullivan
Bostick & Sullivan
Santa Fe, NM