Nelson, then the President of the Cryonics Society of California (CSC), was insistent that there be only one cryonics organization in California. He urged that all San Francisco Bay Area cryonics people join CSC. We opposed this, on the basis of shortcomings we perceived with CSC, even before we severed relations with it and formed ALCOR, suggesting that the Bay Area people establish their own suspension capability. In the light of what later transpired with CSC, we think few will deny this was sound advice. At the time of ALCOR's formation, we were engaged in writing a manual for suspension procedures and in designing improved equipment for carrying out suspensions. Although these procedures and equipment were extremely primitive by today's standards, they were a substantial step upward from previous methods. Before Trans Time, Inc. was formed, we were asked if it might not be better for the Bay Area people to simply join ALCOR than to establish an independent capability. Due to the geographic distance involved, we advised the Bay Area people to develop their own suspension organization. There was no lack of cooperation. We offered to sell the Bay Area people a duplicate of whatever equipment we might develop, and attended a number of their meetings. At one meeting of the Bay Area Cryonics Society (BACS, now ACS), we were asked how we thought a purchase of equipment could best be financed. We suggested they form a separate group to raise the money, so that later, credit might be better given to those who shouldered this burden. The matter of a partnership versus a corporation was discussed, and we advised that a corporation be used for purposes of limitation of liabilities. Trans Time was the result. Trans Time, Inc. was formed, and purchased equipment from Manrise Corporation (our 'for-profit' operation in southern California). The Bay Area people then enthusiastically began development of a suspension program. As this took shape, questions arose as to whether or not some form of mutual assistance agreement might not be beneficial, so that members of BACS and ALCOR could be protected in a reciprocal way when in each other's areas. A mutual assistance agreement was established. Then problems began. You have to have some background to see how there would have been problems. Trans Time, from its inception, had taken an aggressive position of offering suspension services nationwide. It was recognized that for persons in remote areas, this meant being packed in ice and being shipped to the Bay Area in a box. Still, this was considered to be "better than nothing." ALCOR took a different approach. We only sought to recruit, as members, persons in the Los ----------------------------------------------------------------------(22)
Angeles area, persons who could be reached quickly in the event of an emergency.