Needless to say, I wish we in the National Park Service had a few more people like you who approach problems with a positive, creative attitude. Thanks, Virgil, for taking time out of your busy day to show me around. Best regards. At MCA, the concessioner was so touched that on April 3. a week later, Vice President Jay S. Stein wrote back to Mr. Ronald Walker, Director of the National Park Service in Washington, saying: DEAR RON: We were pleased to receive your gracious letter concerning the Western Regional Superintendents' day here in Universal City. We sincerely wanted to impart a feeling of professionalism in management which can, with a genuine team effort by concessioners and the Park Service, carry the National Park System through the current energy crisis and into an era of growth and progress for future generations. Based on your comments and of others attending that day, we appear to have accomplished that purpose. If we can be of further help in the future, please don't hesitate to call. Warmly, JAY. This letter to Mr. Walker from Mr. Stein refers to a gracious letter from Mr. Walker which our investigators have not been able to find. Would you make an effort to find that letter? Mr. DICKENSON. We will, sir; yes, sir. [NOTE.-The March 28, 1974, letter from NPS Director Ronald H. Walker to Universal Studios' Vice President Jay Stein, referred to by M. Reuss, follows:] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Mr. JAY STEIN, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Washington, D.C., March 28, 1974.'. Vice President, Division of Recreation Activities, DEAR JAY: Doug tells me that last week's tour of the Universal Studios was very interesting and most informative. You can't begin to imagine how important it is for our managers to see a professional operation such as yours. Many of our day-to-day activities are certainly similar mainly because of our responsibility to the public to provide them with a meaningful experience when they visit our National Parks. It also gave our managers the opportunity of better understanding the expertise and assistance that you can provide to them in their role as park managers. Please know that I appreciate the hospitality of you and your staff with a particular thank you to Herb Steinberg for all the time and planning that went into making it such an eventful day. Warm personal regards. Sincerely, RONALD H. WALKER, Director. Mr. REUSS. You say that as far as you know, there was no wining or dining of Park Service officials by Universal Studios. Mr. DICKENSON. I was present only such a short time. Mr. REUSS. But SO far as you know. Mr. DICKENSON. As far as I know. Mr. REUSS. You have not heard of any. Mr. DICKENSON. I have not. Mr. REUSS. If there were any, it would be grossly improper, would it not? Mr. DICKENSON. It could be misunderstood and would be grossly sus pect, I believe. Mr. REUSS. It would be what? Mr. DICKENSON. It would be suspect and should be explained; yes. Mr. REUSS. Thank you. Mr. DINGELL. Without objection, additional correspondence between officials of the NPS and the MCA will be inserted in the record at this point. [The letters referred to follow:] Mr. EDWARD C. HARDY, Chief Operating Officer, Yosemite Park & Curry Co., DECEMBER 13, 1973. DEAR MR. HARDY: Congratulations on your appointment as the Chief Operating Officer for the Yosemite Park & Curry Company. Mr. Jon A. Foust, my Assistant Director for Concessions, informed me of your appointment today and we were both very pleased to see that this large and vital concession will have the benefit of your experience and knowledge. We have established a policy of open communications with all of our concessioners and we want you to please feel free to contact Jon whenever you need information and assistance. He will, of course, do whatever he can to help you at any time. Best regards, RONALD H. WALKER, Director. FEBRUARY 19, 1974. Mr. EDWARD C. HARDY, Chief Operating Officer, Yosemite Park and Curry Co., DEAR ED: We have reviewed a recent request for the relaxing of wine sales to the half-gallon size. It appears that the situation in which the Park found itself several years ago has changed. Therefore, please advise your managers that wine in the half-gallon bottle size may be sold from October 1 through March 31. During the period of heavier visitation, April 1 to September 30, the maximum allowable size would return to the two-fifth magnum. Sincerely yours, Mr. RUSSELL E. DICKENSON, Deputy Director, National Park Service, DEAR RUSS: Thanks for your comment card following your recent visit to Yosemite, Room 605 in Yosemite Lodge has been chosen as our model room which is just completing a thorough renovation which includes complete paint, new wallpaper throughout, new carpet, sliding doors on the shower, new light fixtures, all new furniture, change in the design of the clothes hanging area, new landscaping outside, relocation of electrical outlets, new hardware and new bedspreads. On your next visit to Yosemite I have dibs on taking you to visit the redecorated room. I apologize to you for the inconvenience. However, I am optimistic of your acceptance of the redecoration of the same facility. Whenever you have anything regarding Yosemite, please do not hesitate to pass it on to me as we are attempting to spend every waking hour improving service and facilities so that only the finest will be offered in Yosemite. Thank you again for your comments. Sincerely, Mr. GARNER B. HANSON, EDWARD C. HARDY, Chief Operating Officer. FEBRUARY 25, 1974. President and General Manager, National Park Concessions, Inc., Mammoth Cave, Ky. DEAR GARNER: Thanks for your letter of February 9, 1974, enclosing your annual report to your Members and Board of Directors. I only have one prob lem. The report must have gotten lost in your mail room as I never received it. Would you mind sending another copy? Gosh, I just realized that I haven't thanked you for a really splendid evening at the Hay Adams. Both Nancy and I enjoyed both the dinner and the company immensely. Needless to say, I was glad to have the opportunity to meet the members of your Board. Please forgive my oversight in not having thanked you before this time. Best regards, (Signed) JON A. FOUST, Assistant Director, Concessions Management. Mr. JAY STEIN, MAY 9, 1974. Vice President, Universal Studios, DEAR JAY: Ron gave me your new employee manual to look at. You all did an outstanding job in presenting your guidelines. There's no doubt in my mind that with this type of approach the quality of concessioner services at Yosemite will rise rapidly. Congratulations, Jay. The program looks great. JON A. FOUST, Assistant Director, Concessions Management. Mr. SID SHEINBERG, President, MCA, MAY 15, 1974. Universal City, Calif. DEAR SID: I appreciate your taking the time to meet with us last May 3. I am sure I am speaking for all the National Park Service personnel present when I say that the pilot film was very impressive. I have been traveling steadily since I was at Universal City, and will excuse this belated note of thanks. hope you I think we are off to an excellent start in this project, and we will keep our fingers crossed along with yours that the series turns out to be a real success. Mr. INDRITZ. Mr. Dickenson, the Universal permit has as condition No. 1, attached to the form permit, the statement that "the National Park Service reserves the right of script approval on any television story involving the National Park Service or a park ranger, to insure that the Service image, standards and ideals are accurately portrayed to the public. Scripts shall be submitted to the National Park Service far enough in advance that changes can be made, as necessary, before. actual filming starts." Now, in their letter of December 17, Chairmen Reuss and Dingell requested that you explain the legal basis for this condition in the Universal permit. Did you respond to that question? Mr. DICKENSON. I will have to double check. Mr. INDRITZ. If you will look at the material attached to your statement-the next to the last sheet-that may be relevant. Mr. DICKENSON. It appears that our response did not cover the question which you just posed here. Mr. INDRITZ. Could you supply to the subcommittees a direct response to the question as to the legal basis for that condition? Mr. DICKENSON. Yes, sir: I will see that that is furnished. [NOTE.-The question is discussed in the opinion by Interior Department Solicitor Frizzell printed on p. 206.] Mr. INDRITZ. Now, looking at the condition itself-does that condition, as phrased in the permit, give the Park Service the authority to make changes in the script? Mr. DICKENSON. It is our view that it did not. That was not the intent. The intent was to preview the intended script material to see how it might impact from a standpoint of location, from a standpoint on its effect of the visitor use or public use, and so that no scriptwriter would write in a forest fire or have other types of activities that might cause major problems, major impacts on the resources. That was the intent, I understand, behind the script review. Mr. INDRITZ. Well, would it not be true that if the filming crew started a forest fire rangers would be there to stop them from doing so? Mr. DICKENSON. That certainly would be true. Mr. INDRITZ. Why would it be necessary, then, to require changes in the script? Mr. DICKENSON. Well, I am sure our view would have been that maybe a forest fire would have been entirely inappropriate because of the time of year or the location; and if it was not scripted, well, then, you do not have to go out and put out the fire. Mr. INDRITZ. Is your response that the only purpose of that condition was to give you information as to how the filming would be conducted? Was it simply to provide you with information-or to enable the Park Service to make changes in the script? Mr. DICKENSON. And to make sure that the National Park Service was not portrayed in any inaccurate or unfavorable circumstance which would not be true. Mr. INDRITZ. Well, suppose the scriptwriter had put something in which would indicate that a park ranger was not dressed in proper uniform, or was doing something which the Park Service did not think comported with its image. What would the Park Service have done in that situation? Mr. DICKENSON. We would have insisted on a change. Mr. INDRITZ. And if the studio had refused to comply, what would you have done? Mr. DICKENSON. The ultimate would have been a cancellation of the permit and termination of the filming. Mr. INDRITZ. Is that not a form of censorship, in violation of the first amendment of the Constitution? Mr. DICKENSON. I would have to refer that to counsel. [NOTE. The opinion subsequently supplied by Interior Department Solicitor Frizzell is printed on p. 206.] Mr. INDRITZ. Are you familiar with the way the Forest Service handles its filming permits? Mr. DICKENSON. No, sir; I am not. Mr. DINGELL. In the last page of your statement you refer to Mr. Morehead again. What is Mr. Morehead doing at this time, if you please? Mr. DICKENSON. Mr. Morehead is attached, as I said, to the Washington office. Mr. DINGELL. Where is he, physically? Mr. DICKENSON. He has been in Washington, is back in Los Angeles now. He will be returning to Washington after the holidays. Mr. DINGELL. After the holidays. How much time has he spent in Washington and how much in Los Angeles? Mr. DICKENSON. May I ask Mr. Cook to respond to this? Mr. DINGELL. Well, I suppose Mr. Cook could come up and sit beside you. Mr. Cook. Mr. Morehead has recently been in the Washington office. He was in about a week. Mr. DINGELL. About a week? What days, specifically? Mr. Cook. I would have to supply that for the record. I do not have that at my fingertips. Mr. DINGELL. Please submit to us the calendar of Mr. Morehead's travels and whereabouts for the last 7 months-since May. I have got a notion Mr. Morehead is spending a good bit of time doing unproductive things. [The following "Calendar of Morehead Work and Location, May through December," was subsequently provided for the record:] CALENDAR OF MOREHEAD WORK AND LOCATION, MAY THROUGH DECEMBER May 1: On duty, Yosemite. May 2: Drive to Los Angeles. May 3: Meeting with Universal & MCA people. Walker, Dickenson, Keely, Chapman, Arnberger, Winge, Sleznick and I attending. Evening meeting with Jack Webb, Herb Steinberg, Director Walker and I. May 4: Return to Yosemite. Saturday. May 5-19: Annual Leave. To Grand Canyon river trip. May 20: On duty, Yosemite. Finishing up Chief Ranger business. May 21-24: In Los Angeles. Meetings with Webb and Executive Producer Bob Cinader. Explained Park Service goals and image and discussed how to provide input to script writers and directors. Screened pilot. Covered park rules, regulations and policy. May 25-27: Weekend and Memorial Day. May 28: Travel to WASO. May 29-30: Meetings in WASO re filming, script review, operating program, job description, NPS goals expected from picture, talks with Director Walker about filming operations and NPS participation. Met with FBI people re their control of FBI TV series. May 31: Return to Yosemite. No record of overtime hours kept in May. June 1-4: Yosemite. Meet with first group of script writers (including on line produced Bruce Johnson). All time spent in telling them and showing them what Park Rangers were and what they did. Also covered park rules, regulations, and policy. June 5-7: Travel to LA and return. Story conferences with Executive Producer Cinader, Producer Johnson, and all writers. Discussed proposed stories and script proposals. Most productive from NPS standpoint as future confrontations or problems relating to Ranger activities or Park policy were avoided at this early stage. June 8-9: Saturday and Sunday spent with three new writers. Duplicate indoctrination and education. June 10-11: Working on budget, fiscal and personnel problems-Chief Ranger's Office, Yosemite. June 12-14: To LA and return. Continued story conferences with Production staff and writers. Also met with NBC people, Stan Robertson and Lou Hunter. Main discussion was about Park vs. Forest Rangers and difference in policy between parks and forests. Received assurances that NPS would receive copies |