CDSC Reports - Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

CDUFO REPORTS, Vol. 2, No. 2, dated December 16, 1960, is a newsletter published irregularly by the Capitol District UFO Council. The issue covers a range of topics including alleged election fraud claims via telepathic message, UFO sightings in the Midwest, and the challenges facing serious ufology research organizations.

SPACEMEN CLAIM NIXON ELECTED

This section reports on a telepathic message received on November 10, 1960, by Major Aho from "space intelligences." The message claims that the recent National election saw widespread voting fraud, resulting in Vice-President Nixon, not Senator Kennedy, being elected President. It alleges that this plan was developed by "satanic, materialist minds" and that Kennedy's youth and immaturity made him susceptible to being used. The fraud is said to have occurred in large cities where voting machines were "fixed" by appointing "communist friends" to polling places. The message warns the people of the United States about this "diabolical plan" to take away their freedom. The editor notes that the publication of this message does not reflect the sentiments of the editor or the CDUFOC.

SPECULATION RUNS RAMPANT IN MIDWEST SIGHTINGS

This article details a prodigious aerial display witnessed by Midwest residents on November 23, 1960. An unidentified flying object, described as "bigger than the moon" and trailing a "comet-like tail," was observed shortly after dawn. The Detroit Air Control Center attributed the phenomenon to drooping tinfoil (chaff) used in a radar jamming exercise by high-flying Air Force jets, illuminated by the rising sun. Other explanations offered include a weather balloon released by University of Michigan scientists cooperating with the Tiros project, or the man-made weather reporting satellite Tiros II. Weather experts also suggested that the sun's rays might have caused the visual effects. The article leaves the reader to choose their preferred explanation.

MOSCOW RADAR REPORTS THREE UFOS

According to the German publication UFO-NACHRICHTEN, Moscow's Vnukovo Airport reported three "disc-shaped flying objects" at the city's periphery. Soviet officials scrambled jet interceptors to investigate. The objects were described as 250 feet in diameter and flying at 55,000 feet. They reportedly took evasive action and disappeared at an altitude "well over 30 kilometers." An optical illusion or natural explanation was deemed "out of the question."

MANY MOONS LONG AGO SAYS SOVIET SCIENTIST

This piece presents the conclusion of Dr. P. F. Sabaneyev of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, who theorizes that Earth once had many moons which have since collided with the Moon, forming its scarred surface. His conclusion is based on experiments where he dropped various objects onto a plastic surface to simulate the Moon's aboriginal surface, creating craters similar to those observed. He concluded that lunar craters were formed by the impact of "dense, homogenous, definitely circular masses of loose material" and that the size of the craters suggests falls of large masses rather than high impact velocities.

CDUFOC HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS

The Capitol District UFO Council announced public meetings to be held at the Oneida Junior High School every second and fourth Friday of the month, starting December 9, 1960. The meetings are free and open to the public. Featured will be lectures on ufology and tape recordings by prominent UFO figures such as Donald Keyhoe, George Adamski, and Jackie Gleason, with plans for personal appearances of well-known UFO personages.

SURVEYING THE SITUATION

Written by John Weigle, this article discusses the declining state of public interest in UFO study and the challenges faced by serious research groups. Robert J. Gribble's Aerial Phenomena Research Group (APRG) has disbanded due to a "disappointing state" of public interest and the influx of individuals associating UFOs with "abstract subjects," turning the field into a "three ring circus." Weigle notes several other setbacks in ufology, including the discontinuation of Max Miller's SAUCERS magazine, the folding of Lee Munsick's UFO NEWSLETTER, the death of author Harold T. Wilkins, and the shift of England's URANUS from saucers to space travel. Local groups like Civilian Saucer Intelligence and the Japan Flying Saucer Research Association have become inactive or terminated publishing due to financial troubles. The National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena was almost forced to abandon operations due to lack of funds. Weigle questions why serious agencies struggle financially while "fringe elements" find unlimited funds. He urges serious ufologists to take stock and prevent the field from becoming a "ridiculed listing of superstitions."

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Editor Anthony Rudmann addresses John Weigle's article, posing the challenge: "Are you going to sit complacently in your armchair before the fire while the fanatics ruin ufology?" Rudmann acknowledges the common problems faced by UFO research organizations: lack of interest, funds, public apathy, and ridicule. He notes that CDUFOC is fortunate to have a dedicated membership and some funds, but public apathy and ridicule remain significant obstacles. Rudmann urges members to concentrate efforts on improving the CDUFOC and supporting the larger cause of ufology.

SPACEMEN CLAIM -- cont. from page 1

This continuation of the "Spacemen Claim" article reiterates that the claims of election fraud can be proven by investigating voting areas and polling the electorate. It warns of a great danger to America if the precedent of fraud is not addressed, stating that the same type of fraud was used during the Truman campaign. The "Space Legions" pledge to help uncover this fraud and assert that America has a destiny to be fulfilled. They state that Nixon was the man elected and Kennedy was badly beaten, and that Washington Saucer Intelligence, Inc. can issue a challenge to the election's legality at the appropriate moment.

CONCERNING THE SPACEMEN'S CLAIMS...

This section, attributed to the Capitol District UFO Council, condemns the statements and "messages" by Wayne Aho's Washington Saucer Intelligence as an "incident in a long series of actions by irresponsible, inept, incorrigible, publicity-seeking saucer fanatics." The CDUFOC, along with other responsible ufology groups, condemns such "blatent grandstand play" that seeks to turn ufology into a "three-ring circus" for personal gain. The council pledges to do everything in its power to offset the damage done by fanatical saucer clubs and combat such irresponsible acts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the alleged influence of non-human intelligence on human affairs (election fraud claims), the reporting and interpretation of unidentified aerial phenomena, and the critical state of organized ufology research. The editorial stance, particularly from the Editor's Desk and the "Concerning the Spacemen's Claims" section, is one of strong disapproval towards irresponsible, publicity-seeking groups that sensationalize the field and damage the credibility of serious research. There is a clear call for responsible ufologists to unite and combat these negative influences, while also acknowledging the significant challenges of funding and public apathy that plague legitimate research organizations.