Civlilian Saucer Intellligence of New York - No 04

Magazine Overview

This document is a publication from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (CSI), specifically Publication #4, dated April 28, 1955, and priced at 5 cents. It details the proceedings of a members' meeting held on that date.

Members' Meeting - April 28, 1955

The meeting was attended by twelve members. CSI President James Moseley announced his departure in May for a two-month exploration trip in South America. The Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. Meyerson, announced that Dr. J. Gordon Vaeth would be the speaker for the next meeting, scheduled for June 3, which would be open to the public and mark the end of the current season.

UFO Research Program

Ted Bloecher and Isabel Davis presented their ongoing research program. This initiative involves creating a comprehensive card index of all UFO reports found in books, magazine articles, saucer publications, and newspaper accounts, as well as personal, unpublished accounts. Each card is designed to hold pertinent data for each sighting and list all sources and references. The researchers anticipate cataloging over 2000 cases upon completion, with more than 1000 already carded, representing about half of the printed material. They plan to gather additional material from witnesses via correspondence. The goal of this extensive index is to enable the preparation of lists, tabulations, and statistical analyses, which may reveal patterns or significant absences of patterns.

Early Sightings

The research has brought to light several interesting "early sightings" reported between 1940 and mid-1947, preceding Kenneth Arnold's famous "trigger" report on June 24, 1947. Brief descriptions were given of the wartime "foo fighters," the 1946 Swedish ghost rockets, the Byron Savage sighting over Oklahoma City in May 1947, and a Sahara desert sighting at Ouallen in 1942.

CSI Resources and Publications

Copies of the CSI "Check List for UFO Sightings" were distributed, and members were encouraged to use it for reporting their own and others' sightings. Research notebooks and samples of the completed index cards were circulated for members' information. Mr. Moseley also displayed a new English book, "Flying Saucers and Commonsense" by Wavaney Girvan, noting its unavailability in the U.S. at that time.

Unpublished UFO Sightings Reported by Members

Four unpublished UFO sightings were shared by members:

1. John Du Barry reported a case received by mail while he was with True magazine, involving a bright light that raced across the sky from horizon to horizon in approximately 10 seconds.
2. Yeaman Condict recounted two incidents:
* The first, told to him in October 1953, concerned daytime sightings of an object that followed a private airplane. The pilot reportedly took color movies of the event.
* The second involved a young couple from the Bronx who, while driving at night in the summer of 1954, saw a lighted object. Initially mistaken for the moon, they realized it was following them. When they stopped their car, the object also stopped, then ascended vertically into the sky. CSI members urged Mr. Condict to try and obtain direct details from the observers, as these accounts were second or third hand.
3. Miss Davis reported a 1946 sighting near Syracuse, New York, by a very careful observer. Two young men in an open car witnessed a silvery cigar-shaped object that remained motionless for two minutes before vanishing completely and suddenly.

Concluding Presentation

The meeting concluded with a twenty-minute film produced by General Electric, titled "Jet Propulsion," which showcased the history of rocket and jet airplanes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the systematic investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena. The CSI appears to be a dedicated organization focused on collecting, cataloging, and analyzing UFO reports. The editorial stance, as reflected in the meeting's content, is one of serious inquiry into sightings, with an emphasis on gathering detailed witness testimony and exploring potential patterns in the data. The mention of early sightings and the distribution of reporting checklists indicate a proactive approach to the subject.