Civlilian Saucer Intellligence of New York - No 15

Magazine Overview

This document is a transcript of a public meeting held by the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (C.S.I.) on May 24, 1956, at the Roosevelt Auditorium. The main focus of the meeting was a presentation by Gray Barker on the topic of "Reported Intimidation of UFO Researchers." The meeting also included a summary of C.S.I.'s activities by Secretary-Treasurer Lex Mebane and a description of the film "Unidentified Flying Objects" by Research Director Ted Bloecher.

C.S.I. Activities and Film Review

Lex Mebane opened the meeting by briefly outlining the activities of C.S.I. of New York. Ted Bloecher then discussed the United Artists film "Unidentified Flying Objects," produced by Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene. Bloecher praised the film for handling its subject matter with restraint and intelligence, noting that it included two movie sequences of unidentified flying objects certified as authentic by the Air Force. However, Bloecher felt the film did not accurately represent the Air Force's paternalistic attitude during its official investigation. The film sequences included footage taken by Nick Mariana in Great Falls, Montana, on August 15, 1950, and by Chief Warrant Officer Delbert Newhouse near Tremonton, Utah, on July 2, 1952.

Speaker: Gray Barker and the "Hush-Up" Phenomenon

Lex Mebane introduced the main speaker, Gray Barker, a businessman from Clarksburg, West Virginia, known as the editor and publisher of the "Saucerian Bulletin" and "Saucerian Review." Barker is also the author of the book "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers." Barker's presentation aimed to bring to public attention a serious and alarming state of affairs concerning UFO research. While C.S.I. did not endorse all of Barker's views, they felt the incidents he described deserved publicity.

Barker began by addressing the misconception that interest in flying saucers requires personal sightings. He stated that many civilian researchers, including himself, have never seen a UFO but have seen substantial evidence of their existence. He emphasized that not all UFO reports are hoaxes or misinterpretations, and that subtracting these elements strengthens the remaining evidence.

The Flatwoods Monster Incident

Barker recounted his involvement in UFO research starting in September 1952 with the "Flatwoods Monster" incident near Sutton, West Virginia. He investigated this case for FATE magazine. On September 12th, children in Flatwoods reported seeing a "meteor" land on a nearby hill, coinciding with numerous reports of low-flying "meteors" in the region and along the Atlantic seaboard. A party of seven, including Mrs. Kathleen May and her sons, and a National Guardsman, went to investigate. They observed a large globe or sphere, heard hissing and throbbing sounds, and saw a large figure, about ten to fifteen feet tall, with a blood-red "face" and greenish-orange light beams from its "eyes." The figure "floated" towards them, causing the group to flee hysterically. Several witnesses became violently ill. Local editor Stewart verified the event and, the following day, found marks on the ground, including skid marks and flattened grass, along with a strange, irritating odor.

Barker's investigation concluded that the witnesses' story was essentially true. Shortly after, he became involved with Albert K. Bender, director of the "International Flying Saucer Bureau" (I.F.S.B.), and eventually headed I.F.S.B.'s investigation department. This committee included August Roberts, Lonzo Dove, Dominick Lucchesi, and Reverend Barrow.

Bender's "Hush-Up" Experience

In the fall of 1953, Barker learned that Bender had suddenly withdrawn from active saucer research. Attempts to ascertain the reason revealed that Bender claimed to have been visited by "three men in black suits" who warned him to cease his saucer activity or suffer consequences. Bender stated he had discovered "the secret of the saucers," but refused to divulge further details. This incident, described in Barker's book, contributed to his growing unease.

Barker noted that other investigators also dropped out of research under mysterious circumstances. Edgar Jarrold of the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau ceased operations after a visit from a mysterious caller. An investigator in Canada, referred to as "Smallwood," who had obtained a fragment of metal from an unidentified flying object for analysis, also experienced a visit from an abusive caller, leading him to fear for his family and withdraw from investigations, though he has since resumed research.

International Cases of Intimidation

In New Zealand, in February 1955, saucer investigators John Stuart and Doreen Wilkinson stopped their UFO work after a mysterious caller took a piece of metal from a UFO and frightened them into silence.

Barker also received accounts of similar incidents from abroad. One letter described a French saucer researcher investigating a case of intimidation by four men, followed by the disappearance of the victim, who claimed to have conversed with extraterrestrials. This victim had reportedly received a strange "optical instrument" from a female saucer pilot.

Another American saucer researcher reported that issue #3 of his bulletin, which reviewed authentic UFO cases under the headline "Something Alien to Earth is in Our Skies, Analysis Shows," was confiscated.

Barker acknowledged that he did not have permission to reveal the names of those involved in these specific episodes. He suggested that these "visits" might be experienced by those who find evidence that flying saucers come from outside Earth, but he was unsure of the motive or perpetrator behind this suppression.

Barker concluded his main presentation by stating that his primary goal in UFO research was to resolve the "hush-up" problem, believing that its solution would lead to the solution of the entire saucer mystery, which he felt was known to some but successfully concealed.

Question Period and Discussion

During the question period, several points were raised. One listener questioned why prominent UFO researchers like Leonard Stringfield, Donald Keyhoe, Edward Ruppelt, and Gray Barker himself had not been silenced if the "silenced researchers" theory was true. Barker agreed this was an important point and admitted he had expected some form of suppression after publishing his book.

Regarding the origin of saucers, Barker stated he did not believe Earth technology was capable of creating such craft. He also mentioned that since he had not been silenced, he might not know everything about saucers. He had not heard of further work on anti-gravitational projects by Professor Oberth but noted recent newspaper reports of interesting anti-gravity work.

Barker addressed the theory of suppressed inventions, like the Hendershot motor, suggesting that whether it was a genuine fuelless motor or a hoax remains unsolved. He mentioned a speculative opinion that learning the power sources of saucers could shatter the global economy.

He also discussed the BSRA of California's theory that saucers operate in another dimension and can "cross over." Barker referred to his book for details on this idea.

Regarding the moon bridge mentioned by Keyhoe, Barker stated that some amateur astronomers had seen it, but it is difficult to observe. Percy Wilkins's observations differed, noting a 2-mile bridge confirmed by others, rather than the 12-mile bridge reported by O'Neill.

Concerning a story in Fate about Fred Regan of Atlanta, Georgia, who claimed to have been cured of brain cancer by spacemen after being taken on a saucer, Barker relayed that a correspondent checked the story and found that the newspaper allegedly publishing it had never printed it.

An unscheduled interruption occurred when a member of the audience wanted to describe his own "contacts" with flying saucers. After his lengthy and incoherent presentation, the meeting was adjourned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the alleged intimidation and "hush-up" of UFO researchers, the existence of evidence for UFOs beyond hoaxes, the potential extraterrestrial or advanced technological origin of UFOs, and the mysterious forces that may be suppressing this information. The editorial stance, as presented by C.S.I., is one of cautious openness, willing to publicize controversial findings like those of Gray Barker while not fully endorsing all his views, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the issues raised.