The letter is dated November 16, 1965, and reads as follows: GENTLEMEN: Our Scout Council would like for you to know our position as it relates to the San Gorgonio wild area in southern California and I am enclosing a copy of a resolution which was passed by the executive board on April 16, 1963. It is our understanding that 50,000 people visited San Gorgonio last year, one-half of them children. Beverly Hills district held its first wilderness camporee at Dry Lake, the site of 3,500 car parking lot proposed ski resort and had the largest turnout we have ever had at any camporee. Culver-Palms district had over 500 at its wilderness camporee at Dry Lake a few years ago. The scouting program depends for its quality on the use of the San Gorgonio wild area. In general, we feel that the wilderness area is fast disappearing especially here in southern California and therefore we are asking you to consider this point of view in making your decision concerning the proposed changes to the Wilderness Act of 1964. We do appreciate very much the work which you are doing on behalf of all the citizens of our State as well as those of the entire Nation. Also, at this time, I would like to read the resolution referred to by Mr. Douglas; a resolution passed by the executive board on April 16, 1963. It reads as follows: CRESCENT BAY AREA COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA RESOLUTION OF THE CRESCENT BAY AREA COUNCIL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ON APRIL 16, 1963 Whereas the San Gorgonio Wild Area is a vital and important part of our vanishing wilderness area and is the only such undeveloped area of its kind remaining in Southern California, and Whereas it is important to retain this wilderness area to provide suitable camping, hiking and study experiences being essential to Scoutings' program of character building, citizenship training, and physical fitness and to the teaching of self-reliance and the ability to take care of themselves and others, and Whereas suitable areas for such wilderness experiences are decreasing rapidly, and Whereas the proposed development of a mechanized ski resort within San Gorgonio Wild Area, with extensive roads and resort facilities to be operated both winter and summer, would irrevocably damage the wilderness aspect of the area: Therefore, be it Resolved, That the United States Forest Service should continue to maintain the San Gorgonio Wild Area in its wilderness state free from any mechanized ski development. I would also at this time, like included in my testimony, the application for closed permit of the San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc.; and, the certificate of Charles E. Richershauser, Jr., commissioner of corporations. They read as follows: STATE OF CALIFORNIA, 88: I, Charles E. Rickershauser, Jr., Commissioner of Corporations, of the State of California, do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of application for permit to issue and sell shares filed on September 23, 1963, in the matter of San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., File No. 191705LA, (Including Exhibits A and B filed therewith but excluding any other exhibit) as said application is now on file and of record in my office. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 25th day of March, 1965. CHARLES E. RICHERSHAUSER, Supervising Deputy. BEFORE THE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (File No. ; Receipt No. -) APPLICATION FOR CLOSED PERMITS (SECOND APPLICATION) In the matter of San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., for a permit to sell and issue, its securities To the Honorable John G. Sobieski, Commission of Corporations of the State of California: San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., a California Corporation (hereinafter called "Applicant") files this Application for Closed Permit authorizing it to sell and issue shares of its common stock to its present shareholders, and to the two additional persons hereinafter named, and in support thereof respectfully states: I Applicant was incorporated on May 16, 1962, under the laws of the State of California, and at the date hereof is in good standing with the Secretary of State of said state. Applicant's principal executive office is in the State of California at 1541 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. Applicant is qualified to do business in the State of California. II Applicant is presently seeking to obtain favorable Congressional action that will allow it to acquire property rights for the purpose of recreational development in the area in the vicinity of Mt. San Gorgonio in the San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County, California. Applicant proposes generally to engage in the State of California business of constructing, leasing and operating recreational facilities including ski lifts and ski tows, and other equipment for winter and summer sports and resort activities. III Applicant has heretofore filed an application for a permit with your Honorable Commissioner, entitled Original Application for Closed Permit which was filed on or about March 1, 1963. The information and exhibits contained in, and filed in connection with, said prior application are hereby incorporated herein by this reference except as they or any of them may be inconsistent with the statements herein made. There have been no changes in Applicant's Articles of Incorporation since said Original Application was filed. There has been one change in Applicant's By-Laws. Article III, Section 8 of the By-laws which provides "(o)ther regular meetings of the Board are hereby dispensed with * * *" has been amended to provide for regular semi-monthly meetings of the Board of Directors on the first and third Monday of each month at the principal office of the Corporation. By resolution of the Board of Directors of Applicant dated July 2, 1963, Mr. Warren Miller, whose experience and qualifications are set forth in Exhibit A hereto, was elected to the office of Vice President of Applicant. IV Attached hereto and made a part hereof are the following exhibits: Exhibit A List of shareholders and persons other than shareholders to whom applicant proposed to sell and issue shares. Exhibit B: Balance sheet, as of July 29, 1963, and statement of receipts and disbursements for a period in excess of thirteen months ending July 31, 1963. Exhibit C: Copy of Resolution of Board of Directors of San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., adopted at organization meeting held July 2, 1963, authorizing the filing of this application. (Copy of resolution not furnished for printed hearing.) V Under its Articles, Application is authorized to issue 250,000 shares of one class of common stock with a par value of $10.00 each. Pursuant to permit dated March 18, 1963, Applicant has heretofore sold and issued 1,000 shares of common stock, for a total consideration of $10,000.00. The names of Applicant's present shareholders are listed in Exhibit A hereto. Certificates for all said shares are being held by Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Escrow Holder. VI Applicant proposes to sell not to exceed 3,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $10.00 per share to any or all of its present shareholders and to two additional persons who are named on Exhibit B hereto. The two additional persons, Warren Miller and John R. MacFadden, are familiar with Applicant's business and operations. The shares will be sold from time to time as the need for funds arises. The proceeds of the sale of said 3,000 shares are to be expended principally for the purpose of obtaining publicity that will acquaint Southern Californians with the necessity and advisability of developing a portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area for skiing and other recreational activities, and thereby creating support in Congress for favorable action aimed toward opening of San Gorgonio Wilderness Area for skiing and other winter sports. VII Applicant has not and does not propose to: (1) make or enter into any written contract or subscription agreement concerning the sale of its said shares of stock; (2) publish or distribute any prospectus or advertisement with reference to the sale and issuance of its said shares of stock; (3) make or carry out a public sale of its said shares of stock; or (4) pay any commission or compensation for the sale of its said shares of stock. Wherefore, Applicant respectfully requests the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California to grant to Applicant a Permit to sell and issue an aggregate of not to exceed 3,000 shares of its Common Stock, at a price of $10.00 per share, for cash, to any or all of its present shareholders and to the persons named in Exhibit A hereto. I, Morgan Adams, Jr., President of San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., certify under penalty of perjury that the matters set out in the foregoing Application are true and correct. Executed at Los Angeles, California, in September 14, 1963. MORGAN ADAMS, Jr. EXHIBIT A LIST OF PERSONS TO WHOM APPLICANT PROPOSES TO SELL AND ISSUE SHARES A. The following persons were all named as persons to whom applicant was authorized to sell and issue its shares pursuant to its prior permit. Background information regarding each of them was previously filed. Morgan Adams, Jr. Clem C. Glass A. Andrew Hauk George E. Brandow Fred H. Sieling Howard V. More B. The following persons are informed of applicant's business opportunities and operation: Warren A. Miller, 1707 Via El Prado, Redondo Beach, California. Former champion skier and ski instructor. For over fifteen years the producer of skiing films shown and narrated by Mr. Miller throughout the United States and Europe and in the Far East. Author of four books on skiing. An expert on skiing and recreational areas throughout the United States and Europe. John R. MacFaden, 417 South Hill Street, Los Angeles 18, California. Owner and operator since 1940 of a Public Relations Service and Advertising Agency with a staff of from four to eleven employees. MacFaden holds the following positions and memberships among others: A.A.U. (Track and Field Officials), Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, Chairman of the Board of Director of Cathay Bank of Los Angeles, Vice President and Director of King Harbor Marina and Development Company, member of the American Legion, Reserve Officers Association, Town Hall and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. EXHIBIT B San Gorgonio Ski Lifts, Inc., balance sheet as of July 29, 1963 Common stock, par value $10 per share, 250,000 shares authorized, Total. $10,000.00 3, 351. 04 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS-JUNE 20, 1962, TO JULY 29, 1963 Cash receipts: proceeds from sale of common stock__. Cash disbursements: California franchise tax_ $10, 000. 00 200.00 GENTLEMEN: I would like to express my disfavor with any bill or movement that will deface, take away from, or affect the value of the San Gorgonio Wilderness area as it now stands. Bill H.R. 6891, if passed, will carve out a certain portion of this land for a "Family Winter Recreation Area" or more simply stated "Ski Resort". To me "Family Winter Recreation Area" is a mask or dodge to hide the true meaning and intention of this bill. So I'm against this automatically upon reading the title above because the people behind this movement are trying to gain something by deceiving the majority of the public. The key word here is "Family". I'm further against this bill or others of its type because it is my belief that there is already too many mountains in Southern California with ski lifts and no snow. This is one of the few, true wilderness areas in Southern California. Let's keep it that way. I'm speaking as both a private citizen and a scouter. CLIFTON D. JOHNSON, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 75, Marina District, Venice, Calif. BEVERLY HILLS NATIONAL BANK, PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: Since other commitments prevent me from testifying in person on the bills attempting to allow the development of a ski resort within San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, I request that you add this letter to the official hearing record. As a leader of Boy Scouts in the Beverly Hills area, I know from personal knowledge that a ski resort at San Gorgonio would irreparably harm our youth programs. San Gorgonio, including the Dry Lake region which has been promoted as the most suitable site for skiing within San Gorgonio, is the only place in Southern California where large groups can experience a wilderness trip. Once the roads have been built, the facilities constructed, it is inevitable that the resort will expand into a year-round, summer and winter, resort. As you know, no major ski resort in California fails to operate at least part of its facilities during the summer, since to do otherwise would be economically foolish. Similarly, a public road could not be closed during the summer. In summary, I urge that you do not place your name beside the commercial interests which wish to make the first withdrawal of land from the recently enacted Wilderness Act, a withdrawal which we can only presume will set an inexorable precedent for similar invasions of San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, as well as others around our country, whenever the pressures for resort recreation appear. Sincerely, DAVID H. ROWEN. CULVER CITY, CALIF., November 11, 1965. PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, Washington, D.C. DEAR COMMITTEEMEN: I am writing this letter to comment on Representative Dyal's Bill (HR6891) to carve land from the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area to be used for a winter resort. I want you to know that I am opposed to the use of this land for any commercial purposes and wish the land be kept as a wilderness area. There is little enough land kept "in trust" as nature intended it and God created it. I feel that this is the last of the unspoiled wilderness areas left in Southern California and will be indeed disappointed to see the land exploited, roads pushed through these scenic forests abounding with natural fauna and flora. I am active in the Boy Scouts of America. I enjoy hiking and camping in this area away from the tumult and crowding of the city. I enjoy the lack of motor travel and its noise and its smells. I like the clear air and the smell of the woods and the quiet. In addition to enjoying this beautiful area for myself, I also see to it that boys and their leaders obtain the same opportunities that I have. I do this by providing for them information about this area and also providing camping programs for them. The programs provided are always wilderness |