Baton Rouge UFO Bulletin - 1958 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of the BATON ROUGE UFO BULLETIN, sponsored by the RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION, is dated JANUARY, 1958. It focuses on topics related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), anti-gravity technology, and critiques of military operations and development.

Anti-Gravity Principle and Space Vehicles

The bulletin begins by referencing a news item about Otis T. Carr of Baltimore, Maryland, and his alleged anti-gravity principle. The Army reportedly rejected a submission of his space vehicle model, stating it did not meet present or foreseeable needs. The author expresses skepticism towards the Army's judgment, citing historical instances like the Billy Mitchell incident, and suggests that the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) should investigate Carr's claims. The author advocates for looking into subjects rejected by the military, drawing parallels to accepted but flawed military projects like the B-36 bomber and the atomic cannon.

Military Inefficiency and Blunders

A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to detailing numerous instances of military inefficiency and costly mistakes, primarily attributed to the Air Force. These include:

• Cape Canaveral Cable Replacement: Several thousand miles of cable laid in 1950-51 had to be replaced due to moisture short-circuiting, costing millions.
• Technical Lab Costs: A technical lab, before completion, required revisions costing $800,000.
• Layoffs and Delays: Personnel layoffs in the name of thrift led to delays due to the loss of key men.
• Calypso Singers Dispatch: A C-54 was dispatched to Trinidad to bring in Calypso singers, developed trouble, and a second aircraft was sent, incurring significant costs.
• Supply System Chaos: A requisition took 18 months to fill due to 67 different forms and unfamiliarity among supply officers, reminiscent of World War II admonitions about minimizing paperwork.
• Ascension Island Soap Shortage: The missile outpost at Ascension Island waited seven months for soap. Instead, they received two crates of lawn mowers, which were useless as there was no grass on the island.
• Ascension Island Oil Requisition: Another requisition for oil was misplaced, and the station was saved only by a Navy tanker diverting supplies. The situation was compounded when the original requisition and a substitute showed up, resulting in a double order.
• Thor Missile Destruction: A tracking mechanism error caused an officer to destroy a Thor missile, costing $2,000,000, when the missile was actually on course and in perfect flight.
• Vanguard Launch Postponement: A Vanguard launching was postponed because the pump ran out of gas.

The author concludes this section by stating that there is no end in sight for such blunders in the services, where the only penalty is for being too smart or talking too much.

Deterrent Force and Submarine Fleets

The bulletin recommends reading an article by Admiral Daniel E. Barbey, USN Ret., about building a new deterrent force. It reiterates the idea that the primary concern should not be Russia's ICBMs, but rather their large submarine fleet, which could potentially launch short and mid-range missiles without risking massive retaliation.

UFO Research and Theories

Sr. Faria is commended for his contributions to the UFO CRITICAL BULLETIN, particularly an article on the aims of ufology, noting the lack of a clear goal and the prevalence of trivia. Another article by Dr. C. F. Krafft is highlighted, discussing the use of "supermatter" (a condensed form of ionized matter) for spacecraft propulsion. Dr. Krafft suggests that its disintegration would liberate positive ions, giving the spaceship a positive charge and propelling it via repulsion. This, combined with the Biefield-Brown effect (the tendency of a charged condenser to move in the direction of its positive charge), could provide antigravitic action and allow a spaceship to hover or move vertically by reducing ether pressure above it. The concept also suggests that a person wearing a metallic belt with disintegrating supermatter could be positively charged, potentially reducing their weight.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The bulletin includes several UFO sighting reports:

• Valenti Sighting (December 6th, 1957): Reported by Louis Neck and witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. Valenti while driving on Winbourne Street. They saw a bright, silvery-aluminum object shaped like a blimp, initially the size of a medium automobile, then appearing about three feet long. It traveled from northwest to southeast at a fantastic speed before disappearing.
• Ed Rusk Report (Maringoin Area): Phillip Thompson, an employee at Kaiser Aluminum, reported seeing a brilliant, bluish light from a low hovering UFO, described as cigar or bullet-shaped, about a hundred feet long. It emitted a low pulsating sound, and flashing lights came from beneath. The object circled the house twice before moving away.

The author notes the sincerity of Mr. Valenti and the unusual nature of Thompson's report, suggesting that colored individuals, while prone to more dazzling hallucinations, are not typically reticent about their experiences.

Inter-Service Rivalry and Weapon Development

The bulletin discusses the detrimental effects of inter-service rivalry on missile development and overall defense strategy. It argues that this rivalry leads to duplicated efforts and a lack of coordination, hindering progress. The author suggests that a board of civilians should be established to evaluate criticisms from within the services, which are often ignored or suppressed. The example of General Custer's historical failures is used to illustrate how the military can fail to objectively assess individuals and situations.

The author criticizes the concept of an "ultimate weapon," citing the historical debate between the Navy and Air Force regarding the carrier versus the B-36 bomber. It is argued that no single weapon is ultimate and that the services' partisan nature prevents objective evaluation. The bulletin advocates for a variety of versatile missiles, including those launchable from floating platforms and submarines, to counter potential threats.

Future of Space Travel and Life

An article from the January 6th issue of Life Magazine is mentioned, discussing rockets and space travel. It references Colonel Emerson's views that it is unlikely Earth is the sole hub of life and intelligence in the universe, quoting Carlysle on the vastness of space and the opportunities for folly or intelligence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of military competence, the exploration of advanced propulsion technologies (anti-gravity and supermatter), and the reporting of UFO sightings. The editorial stance is highly critical of military bureaucracy, inefficiency, and inter-service rivalry, while remaining open to unconventional theories and phenomena related to UFOs and advanced physics. There is a strong emphasis on questioning official narratives and investigating subjects that the military may dismiss or ignore.