THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 26, NO. 4
Date: October, 1977
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin features a detailed account of the "Brazilian CE4 Case," an alleged abduction experienced by Antonio La Rubia. It also delves into the FBI's historical involvement with UFO investigations, analyzes recent satellite observations, and reports on various other UFO sightings and related phenomena.

NASA's Role in UFO Research

The bulletin opens with a letter from Robert A. Frosch, Administrator of NASA, to Honorable Frank Press, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Frosch states that NASA is prepared to respond to public inquiries about UFO matters and would analyze "bona fide physical evidence from credible sources" if new elements of hard evidence emerged. However, he proposed that NASA take no steps to establish a dedicated research activity or convene a symposium due to the absence of tangible evidence and the lack of a sound scientific procedure for investigation. He emphasized that NASA institutionally retains an open mind and a willingness to analyze technical problems within its competence.

The Brazilian CE4 Case

Field Investigator Irene Granchi of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, details an alleged abduction case involving Antonio La Rubia. La Rubia reported seeing a large, hat-shaped object in a field near his home. Subsequently, an intense blue light illuminated the area, and three one-meter-tall "robots" appeared. These beings had antennae and appendages resembling elephant trunks. La Rubia described the craft as having a dull leaden color and being made of aluminum-like substance. He was reportedly immobilized by a bright light and felt as if he were in a "bell" or "jar." Inside the craft, he observed more beings and was shown a series of colored pictures on a wall, depicting various scenes including himself in different states and situations, a horse and cart, and objects of varying colors. One picture showed a dog reacting angrily to a being that then appeared to melt. Another depicted a factory with millions of beings and UFOs in various stages of manufacture. A picture of a train and a busy avenue were also shown. La Rubia also recounted an experience where a "robot" drew blood from his finger, which was then used to draw and dissect circles on the wall. He described feeling ill and experiencing a sensation of walking on a cloud for days afterward. The case was examined by Dr. Neli Carbonel, who found La Rubia psychologically normal but still called for an ambulance. Hospital doctors noted his high fever and the unusual circumstances, prompting further study.

New Committee for Animal Mutilations

An announcement details the inauguration of a committee in St. Louis to investigate national and worldwide occurrences of animal mutilations and associated phenomena. The committee, led by Robert Murphy and Steve Erdmann, is cooperating with the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis and is interested in cases with unusual or anomalous features, as well as any aerial or ground activity in mutilation areas. Confidentiality is assured for reports.

UFO Related Information from the FBI File

Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee presents an overview of FBI documents related to "flying discs," obtained through a FOIPA request. The documents, primarily from 1947-1950, are divided into three categories: poor reports, teletype reports and transcripts of good UFO reports, and internal FBI memoranda. Maccabee notes that the FBI's official involvement was brief (July-October 1947), with agents instructed to investigate UFO witnesses. After October 1947, the FBI was to forward information to the Air Force, focusing on potential internal subversion rather than the phenomenon itself. The FBI's interest waned significantly after 1952, with the last report in the file being the Zamora case. The documents reveal an early disagreement between the FBI and the Air Force regarding the scope of investigation, with the Air Force initially wanting to focus on reports involving recovered hardware, while the FBI aimed for broader inquiry. The FBI's involvement was partly driven by concerns that UFO sightings might be a tactic by subversive individuals or a foreign power to create mass hysteria.

Redding Couple's Episodes

Jane and Clint Chapin of Redding, California, recount two UFO sightings. The first, on October 30, 1969, involved an oval UFO near the Mary Hazel Mine, which left an oval rim-like impression and a chunk of metal. The second sighting on December 27, 1967, involved a UFO that rose up and took off rapidly. The Chapins advise others to "Just get away from it if you can."

Strange Cloud over New Mexico

A sky phenomenon observed on September 24 in New Mexico was tentatively identified as an unusual cloud formation. Police and airport personnel described two lights, one hazy blue-green and the other bright white, as clouds reflecting sunlight. APRO member Kenneth Ewing viewed the phenomenon and considered it "merely the start of some high cloudiness that lasted the day. No big deal."

Dr. Harris Joins PSI

Astronomer Daniel H. Harris, Ph.D., an APRO Consultant, has accepted full-time employment as Research Director of Project Starlight International in Austin, Texas. This marks a precedent for a scientist becoming employed full-time in a paid UFO research position.

Press Reports from Poland

Two reports from Poland are included: one from Warsaw on May 22, 1977, describing two colored balls flying in the sky, and another from July 11, 1977, near Sochaczew, Warsaw, detailing a luminous flying object observed moving at considerable height with a tail of smoke.

UPDATE: "Ghost Riders"

This section updates a previous article about supposed satellites traveling around M13. The author, Dennis Leatart, concludes based on photographic data that these objects are satellites in polar orbit. Key observations include their disappearance in Earth's shadow, straight paths, and lack of course variations, suggesting they do not emit their own light. The nature and purpose of these satellites remain unknown.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The A.P.R.O. Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed case reports, often from witness testimony and investigator fieldwork, as seen in the Brazilian CE4 case and the Redding episodes. There is a strong emphasis on the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the involvement of individuals with scientific backgrounds like Dr. Harris and Dr. Maccabee. The bulletin also highlights the challenges in obtaining official government information, as demonstrated by the analysis of FBI files and the discussion of NASA's cautious approach. The recurring theme of potential government cover-ups or reluctance to engage in serious UFO research is evident. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, urging for more research and data collection while acknowledging the difficulties in establishing definitive conclusions. The inclusion of the "New Committee" for animal mutilations suggests a broadening scope of interest within the organization to related anomalous phenomena.