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city we_have been get�ing. While our name is a household word in some
parts /of the country/, we should use this to help our message register
with more impact. "
Our TV documentary on the crisis should be ready very soon. We're going
to have full-page ads around the country like we have had here in the
Los Angeles Times. Other churches have asked for permission to print
the first ad in their local papers. The group in Milwaukee headed by
Torn Grede wants to print it there, and another in Calgary. Mr. Meredith
is already making plans for campaigns in these cities where the ad will
have run.
New TV Format Being Tried
The employees learned that last Sunday Mr. Armstrong taped a program
utilizing a question and answer format for the first time. Art Gilmore
asks the questions spontaneously, and Mr. Armstrong answers them. Mr.
Rader thinks the show "really bounces all around and you really get to
know Mr. Armstrong." One hundred forty-five minutes are on tape which,
after editing, can be packaged with other visual aids and narrative of
one kind or another. It is hoped that the new format could be very
effective as a supplement and complement to the regular TV program.
Big Sandy Sale May Be On Again
In response to a question about resuming efforts to sell the Big Sandy
property, Mr. Rader said the original buyers still evince a desire to
acquire the property and are now trying to go forward as before. If we
can work out the details in reasonably short order, the sale will ease
our whole cash-flow situation.
Income is up but, cautioned Mr. Rader, because of the heavy cash drain
caused by the state's invasion and our resultant inability to draw upon
normal cash-flow credit lines at this time of year, we will have to
hold expenditures to an absolute minimum in all departments of the Work
for the next few months. He felt the situation should begin to correct
itself as soon as the Spring holy day offerings are in. Meanwhile, we
are actively pursuing a number of alternative lines of credit, but find
that lending institutions are nervous about extending credit because of
the state's involve�ent, and the inevitable negative publicity.
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULES ON CHURCH'S PETITION
The Legal Office reports that on Thursday, March 22, the California
Supreme Court denied the Church's petition for a hearing. The Church
was asking that the high court immediately consider whether it is con
stitutional for a receivership to be imposed on a church. Ordinarily
the question would not reach the Supreme Court until lengthy appeal
processes had been exhausted.
The narrow margin of the decision (4-3) indicates the issue created con
siderable interest among members of the State Supreme Court. However,
it is the standard procedure for that court to not grant hearings by
"extaordinary writ" (as this would have been by leapfrogging over lower
legal processes) unless there is "compelling urgency" to hear the matter.
Since the receivership is now stayed and a bond is posted, the immediate
crisis is past. So they have opted to let the appellate courts deal with
the matter first. Meanwhile, Church leadership is in control and has full
discretion of the Church's operations.