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Resolution No. 2653 .. . 1 2 3 4 RESOLUTION NO. 2653 A J:lEll(f>LU1'1ON OF t'a)!l CIt'Y COIlNCIL.OF t'U CITY OFVElmON tI't FAVORING THE ACQUISITION OF THE COMPTONAIRPOR'l:.8~ tt~Co.o~ .R. 5 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CrrYOF YERNONRESOLYES AS FOLLOWS: 6 WHEREAS, the Compton Airport is jeopardized .asaf~ci1ity 7 for the handling and maintenance of aircraft in Los Angeles .County by its 8acquisUion by the Valiant Investment COmpany; and 9 'Wl[EREAS. airport facilities are neede.d in the LoS Ang~les 10 County Basim 11 NOW.. THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED: 12 SECTION 1: That the CityCouncl1 of the City of Vernon 13 hereby goes on record as favoring the acquisition of the Compton Airport 14 by LOJlAngelesCou.nty. 15 SECTION 2: The City Clerxof Ute City of Vernon .sha11. 16ee.rtify to the pas.sage of this resolution and thereupon and thereafter the 17 Jlame shall be in full force andeffeet. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 <t Z Z :;~ 28 O : ~ ~ .. .J '" X>-z5<t':' 29 O~OUlU .. ~ 0..11: ~ ' . ~ '0 ,"0 ~ 3 .. 0:: I- > ~ II: Q 30 !! I- .. III <t :) ::1-<touD.. .I OZ>~iLZ~ ILI!:-u 0 0 31 UuU.1- ~ ~ : ~ ~ > 2 i= .. ..z 32 ::l I: ATTEST: ~ City Gl,erk STATE OF CAUFORNlA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) } ss. r. .F. .A. ZIEMER. City Clerxof the City of Vernon, do here:bycertify tnat the foregoing resolu.tion. being Resolution No. 2653, was duly adopted by the City Council of the City-of Vernon. ..a,miapproved by~' the Mayor of s.aid City ata regular meeting of the CUy Council held on Augu.st 6. 1963. ~ OtyCerk BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 383 HALL OF ADMINISTRATION / LOS ANGELES 12, CALIFORNIA GORDON T. NESVIG CLERKOFTHEBOARD City of Vernon 4305 Santa Fe Avenue Vernon 581 California Attention: Mr. F. A. Ziemer City Clerk Gentlemen: ?~CS\":~ ~ f .fI..." e\...t.~" en' August 191 1963 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WARREN M. DORN CHAIRMAN FRANK G. BONELLI KENNETH HAHN ERNEST E. DEBS BURTON W. CHACE Receipt of your Resolution No. 2653 favoring the acquisition of the Compton Airport by Los Angeles County is hereby acknowledged. For your informationl the Board of Supervisors adopted an order at its meeting on August 131 19631 abandoning condem- nation proceedings for the acquisition of the Compton Airport property. Very truly yoursl b~!4aX-t ~ Illi!'I ~ (LOS ANGELES sa), CALIFORNIA 90058 AUG 2 C 1,963 1 J.L ' (J ^ ,.,.f}~A';o ~ \[- -_ ~~'" . v ---' ,'<.~.f/j'Y~6 k.... ..-------- ,~t..! ) . '- , .'.~. ~..........' PHONE 589-5221 REFERENCE NUMBER 1231 14 August 1963 City Council City of Vernon 4305 S. Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, California 90058 Subject: Compton Airport Gentlemen: We wish to express to you our sincere apprecia~ion of your resolution in favor of the acquisition of Compton Airport by the County of Los Angeles, and to thank you for sending us a copy of the resolution itself. As you are undoubtedly aware through the press, this project has suffered a serious setback due to the reversal of some of the County Supervisors who recommended at their meeting last Tuesday that further action to purchase the Airport be dropped entirely. As a result, a mass meeting will be held tomorrow, Thursday, 15 August 1963, at Compton Airport. The meeting will be attended by representatives of the press and radio, as well as by a great many officers of large corporations in this area, by representatives of the Federal Aviation Agency, and by members of the Airport CoDBdssion in Sacramento. It has also been planned to have as many citizens as possible attend the Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday, 20 August, at which time a lengthy letter from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce endorsing this project will be presented. A number of fact sheets, including a financial analysis of the Airport's successful operation over the last five years, will also be introduced at that time. I am sure all residents of the County will be very grateful for anything which the City of Vernon might be able to do to impress still further on the Board of Supervisors the vital nature of this project. Respectfully yours, ROBBINS AVIATION, INC. ~Z~ President HCR:gep cc: Robbins Aviation, Inc. 38l7'Santa Fe Avenue Vernon 58, California Att: Mr. Hugh C. CITY OF VERNON Robbins, President CALIFORNIA August 8, 1963 Board of Supervisors County of Los Angeles 383 Hall of Administration Los Angeles 12, California Attention: Mr. Gordon T. Nesvig Clerk of the Board Gentlemen: Enclosed you will find a certified copy of Resolution No. 2653 .. A RESOLl11'ION OF THE CITY COUNCn. OF THE CITY OF VERNON FAVORING THE ACQUISITION OF THE CO~1PTON AIRPORT BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY J which was adopted by the City Council at its meeting held August 6, 1963. Yours very truly, CITY OF VERNON F. A. Ziemer, City Clerk FAZ:lw. enc. . cc: City Attorney CITY OF VERNON CALIFORNIA July 17, 1963 Robbi.ns Aviation, Inc. 3817 santa Fe Avenue Vernon, California Attention: Mr. Hugh C. Robbins, President Gentlemen: Your communication dated July 3, 1963, with reference to the Compton Airport>> was presented to the City Council at its meeting held July 16, 1963. Please be advised that the City Council bas instructed the City Attorney to draft a resolution to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in favor of the proposed acquisition of Compton Airport by tbe County. We will forward a copy of this resQlution to you af~er it bas been adopted. Yours very truly, CITY OP VERNON L. R. Burcb, Deputy City Clerk LRB:lw. , 6: RECEIVED fffl3 E. A. ZiEMER CITY CLERK Ci ty Counci 1 City of Vernon 4305 S. Santa Fe Avenue Vernon (Los Angeles 58) California Subject: Compton Airport Gentlemen: fjii I II PHONE 589-522[ REFERENCE NUMBER 1138 3 July 1963 JUL 16 1963 ~,~~ L~~~ As you probably know, Mr. Earl Woodley, owner and early pioneer of the Compton Airport, passed away in June 1962, and his heirs are finding it necessary to dispose of the Airport property in order to settle Federal Estate and California State Inheritance Taxes. This means that this valuable property will be lost to a housing project or some other develop- ment if something is not done about it. As automobiles must have streets in which to operate, airplanes must have airports. Compton Airport plays a great part in the commercial activities of this area, which includes Vernon. At the present time there are some 240 airplanes based at this facility, approximately 100 of which are owned by corporations who use them to carry out their business activities efficiently. To deprive their airplanes of their utility would place a heavy burden not only on the companies themselves but on the many visitors from allover the United States calling on business institutions in this area. Airports have been vanishing from our scene at an alarming pace here in Southern California; and if Compton Airport is also allowed to close down, it will be gone forever. We can hardly maintain our position in this area as great contributors to the national defense and commerce as a whole if we do not act wisely and promptly. It is a rare case when the county government has the opportunity to take over a facility which has maintained itself and grown under the free competitive enterprise system to the point where its income is--as we understand it--in excess of $140,000 a year. In addition to this unusual situation, should the County of Los Angeles acquire this facility, the Federal Government would be in a position to participate quite heavily thereby lessening the financial burden on the County and its taxpayers. - 2 City Council City of Vernon 3 July 1963 1138 Some four hundred business organizations and individuals in this area who would be directly affected attended a general meeting last Thursday, 27 June, and contributed sizable funds for pursuing this project. In addition, some ten thousand persons, not only in this area but throughout the nation, have expressed themselves in a very positive manner to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This will give you some idea of the overall interest which has been expressed, not in sentiment but in cash, in an endeavor to retain Compton Airport for the public good. Therefore, we respectfully request that the City of Vernon communicate with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors taking a position for or against this proposed acquisition of Compton Airport by the County. Since as you will note from the attached papers time is of the essence, this should be done at the earliest possible moment. Sincerely yours, ROBBINS AVIATION, INC. ~. //'") .-""""'....... " ,i .'-,." ._/'~' / . > ~~. (;1.... 4-{:.t~t.- t Hugh C~. Robbins President HCR:gep Encs: Citizens Committee Resolution Compton Airport Pilots Bulletin Cifize", C,,,,,,,i,,,, T, $," C,,,,p,,,, Ai,p", 901 WEST ALONDRA BOULEVARD. COMPTON, CALIFORNIA Telephones: NE. 9-6839. HE. 6-6474 Whereas, The Citizens Committee To Save Compton Airport has, after careful consideration, concluded that Compton Airport is an asset to General Aviation in the County of Los Angeles; and 'hereas, The loss of Compton Airport would be detrimental to the welfare of numerous pilots, aircraft owners, business concerns and the general pub 1 ic of the County of Los Angeles; and Whereas, It has become evident that there has been, for many years, an alarming loss of airports in Los Angeles County; and Whereas, A Federal Aviation Agency Survey has found Compton Airport to be eligible for Federal Aid in the event of its acquisition by the County of Los Angeles; and Whereas, It has been found to be economically feasible for the County of Los Angeles to acquire and operate Compton Airport; and Whereas, The City of Compton has unoJfically indicated its interest in participating with the County of Los Angeles in the acquisition and operation oj Compton Airport; and Whereas, The Federal Aviation Agency has declared there is a need for more, not fewer, airports in South Los Angeles County; and Whereas, Compton Airport is to be sold to the highest quali- Jied bidder in the immediate future, therefore be it Resolved, That this Committee petition the Board of Supervisors of The County oj Los Angeles to initiate such action as may be necessary for The County of Los Angeles to acquire Compton Airport as a county aviation faciLity for the use of General Aviation, and be it further Resolved, That the Chairman of this Committee appoint a committee of five to present the petition to. the Board of Supervisors of The County of Los Angeles. --........ ------------....... - ._- - ........--------..-....-- ---------- - - '. "-. --- ,. l -...' J FOLLOWING ARE S01ffi IDEAS. Don't copy them exact, but enlarge on them in your own words and add any other reasons you can think of why the Airport should be SAV~Do Burton W. Chase, Supervisor 4th District Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Stroet Los Angeles 12, California Honorable Supervisor Chase~ As a tax payor and voter of Los Angeles County residing in your district, I urge you to take the action necessary to save the .Compton Airport. I request you not to let this highly used facility close. Because--------- -J<- -l(- * .,(- 7(- -x- * 7(- lam Airport. necessary forced to remaining an Aircraft ovmer with an Airplane based at Cempton It is requested that you take what ever action is to keep this Airport open. Please don't let me be dispose of my Aircraft, or move it to one of the overcrowded Airports in Los l\ngeles County. *7(-*-*"-).C*** I am a Pilot who in the furtherance of my business am required to land at the Compton Airport. It's closing would cause a hardship on, not only myself, but on the countless hundrods who must also use this facility because of it's con- venient location. Please take the steps necessary to acquire this as a County operated facility. ****7',*""* As a busniness man and an Aircraft o~~er who uses his Aircraft a great deal in the furthorarlce of his business, I urge you to consider taking aetion in your supervisory capacity to keep Compton Airport available to tho flying public. -K-***~-*** HELP SAVE COMPTON AIRPORT ..._ _._. __ _.< - ....... - - e.".........,,_ .,,...._ -.-" _ ,,_,.. _ _ _ __ _ _ We the Pilots flying from Compton Airport are aSking for the assistance of all Pilots, Aircraft Owners, Business Men, and members of the public who are interested in saving one of the few remaining .Airports left in the Los Angeles Basin,,' Earl Woodley, owner and early pioneer of the Compton Airport passed away in JunC) of 1962v. RccentlyMrs. WoodJey a.11.d her children were advlsed that they must dispose of the Airport property in order to settle the Federal Estate and California State Inheritance Taxes. Mrs.. Woodley, realizing the extreme need of Airports in Los ffi~geles, so that they might singly or jointly continue to operate this highly used facility, has offered to sell the Airport to the City of Compton and/or the County of Las Angeles. Your assistanco is urgently required to immediately im- press upon the Board of Supervi "'ors of 1,0s Angeles County that this Airport must be SAVED" It's closing would cause complete havoc, by forcing 240 Compton based Airplanes, to .move to the remaining Airpo:rts in the Los Angeles area, which are already saturated beyond physical and safety limitations. You are urged to send a letter on your own letter-head to Burton W.. Chase, Supervisor; 4th District with another one to the Supervisor in your. district, requesting that they. take the ~ction necessary to acquire and operate this facility. A copy addressed jointly to the Compton Mayor and City Council would also be of benefit. DO THIS NOW: Final action is being taken' by the probate court, July l'th. . It is further request- ~gsl~at you contact your friends and associates and ask their tance in forwarding these messages. .. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. PLEASE ADDRESS LETTERS TO ONE OR MOP.E OF THE FOLLOWING: --<<-------... '''''"''' Burton W" Chase,. Sl,lpervisor 4th District Frank G.. Bonelli, Supervisor lst District Kenneth Halm.J. SuperVisor, 2nd District Earnest 'E." Debs, Supervisor, 3rd District Wa}~ren M. DOl'll, Chairman, Super~isor,5th District Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles l2, California Mayor, and Compton City Council 2Q5 South Willowbrook Avenue Compton, Californ1.a (OVER.) , .." .. ... , ~ ~ ,. t ... G~m~nt Business CHEAP STUFF by John Marschalk -- If you have tears to shed for the troubles of small business in its encounters with Government, grab blotters, sponges and a bucket. This is a tale of woe. A small firm we know was WONits suit/against the Government. Why the tears? Read on. This small manufacturer makes and sells a series of privately de- veloped, patented articles. Among other customers is our benevolent Uncle Sam, the granter of the patents issued to "protect" said small finn. It so happens that Uncle Sam has an interesting law - a law which goes back, chiefly, to World War I. It is now to be found in the statute books at Title 28, U.S. Code, Section 1498. The law was passed, we are told, so that if Uncle Sam' - in the course of buying weapons for war - should accidently infringe some patent, the owner of that patent wouldn't be able to yell for the cops and hold up the delivery of urgently needed war supplies. Contemplating such emergencies, the law says that our Govern- ment can go ahead and authorize any supplier to infringe any ~_ isting U. S. patent. And if the patent holder gets wind of tlie deal, he cannot get an injunction tostQP the infringer; all he can do is sue the Government in the Court of Claims to recover fair damages. Nobody paid much attention to this law in times past, because the Government didn't make it a deliberate practice to invite pat- ent violations. Well,' that's not the way the Government operates any more. As. you've probably heard, the Government does just about ev- erything it can do to get its hands on manufacturing drawings for nearly everything it buys. It gets these drawings under a contract clause which clearly says that the supply of the drawings does not convey any patent rights to the Government. (This is the Armed Services Procurement Reg.. ulation clause known as ASPR 9-203.1. ) This clause has a real nice sound to a patent holder - or to a member of Congress - because it reads like it amounts to a pro- tection for a gur with the patent. Maybe it woUld, too, except that the Comptroller General threw a fat monkey wrench into the,protective theory back in October, 1958. He came up with a ruling (B-136916) which told the military pro- curement people that if they had drawings in their hands, it made no difference whether the item such drawings covered was patented, or not. What the military people had to do, the Comptroller General told them, was put those drawings'outfor"competitive bid" and if the low bidder didn't happen to be the patent holder, or a licensee, go ahead and buy from the low bidder, anyhow. He said that was what Cong- ress had really intended when it passed that law (28 USC 1498) in the first place. The fact that nobody else had ever thought that was what Congress intended didn't bother the Comptroller General. And the Comptroller General's word is just as good as law where mllitary buyers are concerned. So that's the present system: A small company Invents something, gets a nicely engrossed patent from Uncle Sam which says the small company has the ex. cluslve right to make and practice the patent. But the same Uncle Sam then turns around, gets the manufacturing drawings, and goes looking for price cutters to Infringe the patent just granted. Everything is fair and square - the Comptroller General insists _ because the small company has "an exclusive remedy for enforcement of the patentee's rights as to the Government," namely, the right to . sue in the Court of Claims. So. Calif. INDUSTRIAL NEWS Mond'Oy: Mor 6, 1963 4 Well, that's what this small company did. It found out that Uncle Sam had authorized one or more suppliers to infringe its patents several years back. It entered a suit in the Court of Claims to re- cover damages. Five years and about $50,000 of lawsuit costs later, our small company won. Or thought it did. The Court said the small company was right. Its patents were valid. It was entitiled to collect. The Court told the military people to make an accounting of all its purchases that had violated the small firms' patents - and to pay said small firm damages measured as a reasonable percent- age of the value of said purchases. THA T's what has our small guy crying; You know what's wrong? The military cant' find the records. It has made these infringing purchases all over the country - through any number of military buying offices - over a whole per- iod of years since before the suit was first entered. In the meantime, catalog numbers have changed, buying offices have been moved, mllitaty buying personnel have all changed, records have been shifted from one point to another and "buried," if not destroyed. The military people, we understand, are sincere and sympathetic. They'd like to fmd the records if they could. But our small guy has to sympathize with their problem, too. He does - except for one thing. Anytime he gets a military audit at his plant, they disallow as a "proper business espense" the mOIley he has had to lay out to conduct his "successful" suit against the Gov- ernment. With the apparent loss of all those military records, he now figures he stands to recover about 5% of what it has actually cost him to sue - instead of the 500% or more which he expected to get, based on his own fragmentary information of all the times his patent was violated. This outcome just about proves what the Comptroller General has contended - it's cheaper to buy from infringers. (They don't have any development costs. ) Something about the deal is pretty cheap, for surel Every good American should bring this incredible and appalling state of affairs to the attention of his repre sentative s in Congress and as many other persons as possible. Reprints of this article may be obtained free of charge from ROBBINS A VIA TION, INC., 3817 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon (Los Ange1e s 58), California.