Civlilian Saucer Intellligence of New York - No 14

Magazine Overview

Title: CSI NEWS LETTER
Issue: 3
Date: May 6, 1956
Publisher: CIVILIAN SAUCER INTELLIGENCE OF NEW YORK (CSI)
Country: USA
Price: 15¢

This issue of the CSI News Letter focuses on the media's treatment of UFO reports, recent sightings, and the critical analysis of alleged UFO phenomena, often concluding with natural explanations or misidentifications.

The "Silly Season" For City Editors

The lead article discusses the dismissive attitude of city editors towards UFO reports, citing an interaction with a Long Island Press editor. The editor claimed that UFO photographs were published 'as a lark' and that the paper referred such calls to Mitchel Field. He also mentioned observing three disc-like objects himself but stated the report was made to 'proper authorities' rather than being published. The article concludes that the 'silly season' for UFOs in the press is a continuous phenomenon.

Recent CSI News

Sanderson Meeting: A report on a meeting held on March 29th featuring naturalist and author Ivan Sanderson, who discussed the UFO problem, including theories on their power source like 'teleportation.' The meeting was well-attended, but some were unable to attend due to Post Office delivery issues with announcements. A full report is promised.

Edwards Meeting: The newsletter details the first public appearance of newscaster Frank Edwards in New York since 1954, where he lectured on UFOs and presented sensational, unpublished incidents, including the 'second Mantell case' and details on the Hopkinsville landing. Despite a mailing of 2000 announcements, attendance was under 300, which is described as embarrassing. A report on this meeting is also being prepared.

Financial Report: CSI gained $60.00 on the Sanderson meeting and lost $140.00 on the Edwards meeting, indicating a tight financial situation.

Forthcoming Meetings: Gray Barker is scheduled to speak on 'They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers' in New York on May 26th and Newark on May 24th. A members' meeting to discuss CSI policy for the coming season is also planned.

Other News

UFOs On Film: The release of the Hollywood production 'Unidentified Flying Objects' is announced, which deals exclusively with the UFO enigma and has cooperation from figures like Ruppelt and Major Dewey Fournet.

Mars On TV: NBC TV is scheduled to broadcast a 'Mars Spectacular' on July 25th, which may include UFO-related content and data from the 1954 Mars Committee observations in South Africa.

UFOs In Print: An article by John Kobler in the Saturday Evening Post is criticized for being a 'good-natured spoof' that included CSI and other serious groups. The CSI expressed disappointment with the Post's discretion.

New Saucer Books

The newsletter reviews several new and upcoming books on flying saucers:

• Frank Edwards' 'My First Ten Million Sponsors': Scheduled for early June release, with a chapter on flying saucers.
• Ade Michel's 'The Truth About Flying Saucers': An English translation of a French book, revised and annotated by CSI's Research Section, recommended for its case-by-case analysis and critique of Donald Menzel's explanations.
• Gray Barker's 'They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers': Available now, with Barker set to discuss its controversial story at an upcoming meeting.
• Waveney Girvan's 'Flying Saucers and Common Sense': Reprinted by Citadel Press.
• 'The Complete Book of Space Travel' by Albro Gaul: Praised for its illustration and a sensible chapter on 'The Saucer Makers.'
• 'The Science Book of Space Travel' by Harold L. Goodwin: Unequivocally recommended, noting the author's Fortean perspective.

RECENT UFO SIGHTINGS

This section details numerous sightings from late 1955 and early 1956:

• January 9, 1956 (Southern Indiana): A P-51 Mustang piloted by Colonel Lee Merkel reportedly exploded after pursuing a luminous object, an event likened to the Mantell case. Details were provided by Frank Edwards.
• February 11, 1956 (Bastrop, Louisiana): Five silvery objects, described as 'like the evening star,' were seen darting, discharging 'smoke screens,' and releasing smaller 'saucer-like' objects. The event was witnessed by a family and involved up to 500 smaller objects.
• February 15, 1956 (Keansburg, New Jersey): Six persons observed a large, lighted disc-shaped object from which two smaller discs were ejected and sped away. Highlands Air Force Station was informed, but radar found nothing.
• February 18, 1956 (Atlantic City, New Jersey): Two girls saw a golden, disc-shaped object with a haze, described as 'as big as the setting sun,' which circled, descended near treetops, and then darted out of sight.
• March 5, 1956 (Waco, Texas): An object described as 'similar to a swept-wing jet' was seen with numerous streaks of fire resembling jet exhausts.
• March 9, 1956 (Dunellen, New Jersey): Multiple reports of 'flying saucers' and luminous objects, some described as greenish, were received by the Courier-News. Army personnel at Camp Kilmer were reportedly working on lighting equipment, but a letter writer scoffed at this explanation.
• March 23, 1956 (Grand Ledge, Michigan): A laboratory technician reported seeing a 'tiny object' that grew into an orange globe, hovering about 10 feet away and four feet above the ground. He also reported feeling a 'presence' and that the object seemed to be trying to contact him.
• April 4, 1956 (Aubrey, Texas): A bright round light was seen traveling southwestward, described as 'drifting slowly' and performing abrupt dips and ascents. It was later identified by Carswell Air Force Base as a weather balloon, though the object was photographed and appeared too bright for a balloon.
• April 3, 1956 (Birmingham, Alabama): Employees reported seeing a 'silver-colored angel' flying north, described as 'flapping its wings.'
• April 8, 1956 (Upstate New York): An American Airlines Convair crew observed a bright steady light near Schenectady that changed color from white to orange and sped off. The object maintained a consistent speed relative to the aircraft, and the crew was impressed by its brightness and maneuverability.
• April 11, 1956 (Lake Ontario): The Convair crew continued to observe the object over Lake Ontario. Jets were scrambled, but the object outmaneuvered them. The crew observed the light for 45 minutes, with Captain Ryan stating, 'This was absolutely real, brother....I'm convinced there was something fantastic up there.'
• April 9, 1956 (Northampton, New York): A round object with red, blue, and green lights was seen traveling at a fast rate of speed from the northeast to the southwest.
• April 21, 1956 (Brooklyn, New York): CSI member Steve Roman and his wife observed several dark 'dots' passing rapidly over the face of the moon through a telescope. While migratory birds were suggested, the rapid motion and sharp focus were noted as inconsistent with that explanation.

THE CASE OF "L'ASTRE CINCINNATI"-- A Story With A Moral

This extensive section details a widely reported sighting in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning March 19, 1956, of a hovering, bright blue-white object with intermittent red and green lights. Initially thought to be a secret Air Force device, it was observed moving sideways and up and down, with abrupt disappearances. The object was reported by numerous residents and covered by local newspapers. However, the article strongly argues that the object was unequivocally identified as the planet Venus. Telephoto exposures showed a slow, uniform motion consistent with a celestial body. An Air Force General identified it as 'a star.' The article explains that Venus was brilliantly visible in the western sky and that features like 'jerky motion,' 'rotation,' 'red and green lights,' and 'swept-back wings' could be explained by binocular illusions, chromatic aberration, and the crescent phase of Venus. The confusion was exacerbated by thin cirrus clouds that created a halo around the moon and made Venus appear more conspicuous. The case is presented as an example of observer error and the tendency for saucer researchers to accept descriptions uncritically, cautioning against accepting reports of hovering luminous objects with red and green lights without extreme scrutiny.

First-hand Accounts Of Past Sightings

June 15, 1950 (Paramaribo, Surinam): Mr. Wilfred Coronel reported observing a peculiar ovoid object with a ridge and flat underside, silvery metallic in color, moving at an estimated altitude of 6,000 meters. The object 'drifted slowly' to the northeast, performing abrupt dips and vertical descents before ascending and disappearing. The event was witnessed by a majority of the city's residents, and while extensive newspaper coverage occurred, no photographs were taken. Details were obtained by Ted Bloecher.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CSI News Letter consistently exhibits a critical and analytical approach to UFO reports. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and reporting on various sightings, the publication frequently debunks alleged UFOs by identifying them as natural phenomena (like Venus or weather balloons), optical illusions, or misinterpretations. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation, skepticism towards unverified claims, and the need for accurate reporting, particularly in contrast to what is perceived as sensationalism or dismissiveness in the mainstream press. The newsletter also highlights the role of CSI in researching and disseminating information on UFOs, while also promoting its own activities and publications.