Civlilian Saucer Intellligence of New York - No 25

Magazine Overview

Title: CSI NEWS LETTER
Issue: Issue No. 11
Publication Date: July 15, 1959
Publisher: Civilian Saucer Intelligence of N. Y.
Price: 50 cents

This issue of the CSI News Letter, dated July 15, 1959, begins with an editorial apologizing for a significant delay in publication. The editorial acknowledges the chronic difficulties of operating the organization with part-time volunteers and announces plans for a reappraisal of the work program to establish a more punctual and regular publication schedule, possibly with a reduced scope but higher quality.

Featured Articles and Reports

Delaware Water Gap Sighting

This article details a sighting on October 2, 1958, by Mr. and Mrs. S., CSI members, near the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey. While driving, they observed what they initially thought was smoke, but soon identified as a solid object exhibiting remarkable maneuvers. The object was described as having a solid-appearing rim with a "void" inside, performing rapid loops and gyrations. Its shape was observed as solid, circular, and very thin, like a coin. The object's color varied from transparent to solid black, and it appeared as an extremely thin line when viewed edge-on. The entire observation lasted about 30 seconds, with the object vanishing into stratus clouds. Mr. S. likened its motion to a kite in a rough updraft.

The Straith Letter

This section addresses a notorious hoax letter received by George Adamski in December 1957. CSI also received a similar hoax letter signed "Kip" in December 1957, which was written on the same typewriter as the Straith letter and aimed to create discord among CSI members. The letters and related documents were loaned to the FBI. The article concludes that UFOlogy has enough genuine problems without dealing with bogus mysteries fomented by "irresponsible amateur Machiavellis."

CSI Fifth Anniversary Meeting

This report covers a public symposium on UFOs held on March 27, 1959, in New York City, to mark CSI's fifth anniversary. The event was moderated by Long John Nebel and featured Major Donald E. Keyhoe of NICAP as the main speaker. The panel included Jules B. St. Germain (CSI), Lester del Rey, Ben Isquith, and John Lester. CSI President John Du Barry opened the program with a report on the organization. Jules St. Germain discussed the use of hypnotism in eliciting eyewitness details. Major Keyhoe spoke about UFOlogy developments, highlighting the Air Force's obstruction and growing congressional interest. Captain Peter Illian, an American Airlines pilot, was unable to attend due to instructions from his airline. The meeting, attended by a large audience, also included a question-and-answer session and the sale of UFO-related books. The success of the event was attributed to advance publicity from Long John's radio show.

Lights That Flew, Danced, and Sank Into the Ground: Lampasas, Texas--December 1958

This article recounts a strange report from Lampasas, Texas, concerning lights seen on the night of December 20, 1958, by Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Richardson. They observed six blue-white lights hanging in the air that moved erratically, blended, and sometimes appeared to be on a string. Two lights approached their car rapidly, stopped 150 feet away, and sank "very slowly into the ground." The lights were seen on clear nights between 12:30 and 2:30 AM. On January 24-25, a similar huge light hopscotched across the mountain and headed directly for their car, causing Mrs. Richardson to lose control and crash, damaging the vehicle and injuring her. The local newspaper published the story, leading to a large public gathering on the Spivey-Tapp Road, which was disruptive. Mrs. Richardson noted the lights were not seen when there were clouds. The case is compared to the Elsinore case and "phantom lights," with the sinking into the ground being a unique aspect.

The Otis T. Carr Saga

This section critically examines the claims of Otis T. Carr and his "OTC Enterprises, Inc." of Baltimore, Maryland. The company issued a brochure in early 1958 claiming it could build a flying saucer capable of inter-atmospheric travel for $20 million. The author labels Carr the "Most Brazen Saucer Quack of 1958," comparing his operations to "sheep-shearing." Carr claimed his "circular foil spacecraft" would fly to the moon on December 7, 1959, propelled by an "artificial gravitic field" and powered by a "Utron electric accumulator." The article questions Carr's scientific knowledge, citing his inability to recall any discoveries by Nikola Tesla during a radio interview. It also details the "fiasco" of the OTC-X1 test in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1959, which was postponed multiple times and ultimately failed to demonstrate any flight capabilities, revealing the machine to be disassembled and powered by an external motor. The article suggests that while fraud is a possibility, the ineptitude of the demonstration points more towards a "delusion of grandeur" and a lack of scientific understanding, possibly combined with a confidence scheme.

The Near-Landing at Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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The CONVENTIONal Thing To Do

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A Mixed Bag of Saucers in Print

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Magazine Articles

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Book Reviews

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Gullible's Travels

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"The Third Eye": None So Blind As Those Who Will Not See

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Wild Men and Monsters: The Riverside, California, "Creature" of November 8, 1958

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The "Planet Irland"

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That Avro Saucer

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The "Radiation Belt" Around The Earth

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Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the CSI News Letter revolve around UFO sightings, the challenges of UFO research organizations, and the critical examination of sensational claims within the UFO community. The editorial stance is one of cautious investigation, emphasizing scientific validity and accuracy, while also being critical of hoaxes and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those presented by individuals like Otis T. Carr. The newsletter appears to prioritize genuine reports and rigorous analysis over sensationalism, as evidenced by its debunking of the Straith letter and its skeptical approach to Carr's "electro-gravitic spacecraft."

This issue of the magazine, dated December 16, 1957, focuses on a reported UFO landing in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and reviews various UFO-related events and literature from the late 1950s.

The Near-Landing at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, December 16, 1957

The lead article details an encounter by Mrs. Mary M. Starr, a resident of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Awakened between 2 and 3 a.m. on December 15-16, 1957, she observed a large, dark gray or black machine, estimated to be 20 to 30 feet long, hovering five feet above the ground about ten feet from her house. The object had brilliantly lighted square portholes and no visible wings or external structures. Mrs. Starr saw two forms pass each other behind the windows, described as wearing jackets and having unusual, square or rectangular heads of a reddish-orange color with a brighter red 'bulb.' A third man then entered, and as Mrs. Starr leaned closer, the portholes faded, and the object's shell began to glow. A small, oscillating, sparkling antenna then emerged from the craft. The object then moved away, making a sharp right-angle turn and ascending rapidly and silently. Mrs. Starr estimated the occupants to be no more than four feet high. The article includes a sketch of the landing site and the object, as well as a diagram illustrating the geometry of the sighting.

Book Reviews and Convention Summaries

The issue also features several reviews of books and articles related to UFOs and space travel, as well as summaries of spacecraft conventions.

Book Reviews:

• "The First Man Killed by a Flying Saucer" (True or False, July 1958): This article is described as an "absolutely true" account of a man doomed to die from radiation after a UFO encounter near Dallas, Texas, on December 7, 1957. The magazine finds the tale unconvincing due to factual blunders and a lack of knowledge about radiation sickness symptoms, concluding it is "False."
• Ray Palmer's publication of the William Rhodes photograph (Flying Saucers, October 1958): Palmer published a photograph of a flying saucer, claiming all copies of the newspaper and related materials were seized by the army. This claim is debunked by Don Dedera of The Arizona Republic, who states there was no army confiscation. The article also details the subsequent FBI and Air Corps questioning of Rhodes.
• "Our Lonely Planet" by Isaac Asimov (Astounding Science Fiction, November 1958): Asimov speculates in this non-fiction article why intelligent alien races have not visited Earth. He suggests that Earth is considered an "infant intelligence" by a Galactic Empire and is kept in a protected 'preserve' until it matures.
• "Man in Space: A Tool and Program for the Study of Social Change" (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, April 10, 1958): This paper discusses the implications of UFOs, suggesting that advanced civilizations might view our attempts to explore space with suspicion and rebuff us as a threat.
• "THEY LIVE IN THE SKY!" by Trevor James (New Age Pub. Co., 1958): This book is characterized as a "lethal hodge-podge" that warns about UFOs, describing them as predominantly non-physical beings with sinister intentions. The photographs presented are attributed to photographic accidents.
• "The Delusion of the Flying Saucer" by Joost A.M. Meerloo, M.D. (American Practitioner & Digest of Treatment, October 1958): This article is dismissed as dealing with "Menzelian mirages, 'optical illusions,' 'physiological defects,' and mass hysteria."
• "An Interim Report on the Flying Saucer Question" by Martin Kohn (McGraw Hill Publishing Company, January 29, 1958): This report is noted for distinguishing between "lunatic fringe" claims and responsible investigations.
• "The Complete Book of Space Travel" by Albro T. Gaul (World Publishing Co., 1956): Part III of this book, "Host to the Alien," is recommended for its logical and practical suggestions on meeting extraterrestrials.
• "The Science Book of Space Travel" by Harold Leland Goodwin (Pocket Books, Inc., 1956): This chapter on flying saucers analyzes classic explanations and concludes that Earth has been host to saucers for generations.
• "What's Up There?" by Arthur C. Clarke (Holiday, March 1959): Clarke attributes sightings to conventional objects and phenomena, dismissing UFOs. The review criticizes his generalization about "extreme aberrations of the human mind."
• "Mars: The New Frontier: Lowell's Hypothesis" by Wells Alan Webb (Fearon Publishers, 1956): This book supports Percival Lowell's theory of life on Mars and includes three UFO sightings.
• "Flying Saucer Pilgrimage" by Bryant and Helen Reeves (Amherst Press, 1957): This book is described as paying homage to contactees rather than seeking facts, with the authors embracing "relative truth" and "cosmic truth."

Spacecraft Conventions:

• Sixth Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention (Giant Rock, Yucca Valley, California, May 31-June 1, 1958): Sponsored by George Van Tassel, this event drew 10,000 attendees. It featured interviews on the TV show "You Asked for It," including discussions with Dan Fry, Reinhold Schmidt, Major Wayne Aho, and Professor Amos John McCoy.
• Buck Nelson's First Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention (Mountain View, Missouri, June 28-29, 1958): This convention had a smaller attendance of about 300 people, including Major Wayne Aho. Nelson was known for distributing packets of hair from a "385-lb. Venusian dog."
• First Eastern Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention (Lebanon, New Jersey, September 13-14, 1958): Organized by Howard Menger, this event attracted about 2000 attendees. It included sales of Menger's book, photographs, and "space hoops." NBC's "Monitor" program interviewed Menger and guests, with Walter McGraw and Lois McGraw conducting the interviews. The review notes that while Giant Rock had mostly believers, Lebanon had about 60 percent skeptics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards sensational and unsubstantiated UFO claims, often debunking specific stories and photographs. It distinguishes between "lunatic fringe" claims and more responsible investigations. The publication also highlights the growing industry around "spacecraft conventions" and "contactees," often portraying them with a critical or even satirical tone. The editorial stance favors critical analysis and evidence-based reasoning, while acknowledging the persistence of the UFO phenomenon and the need for further investigation. The Old Saybrook landing is presented as a case worthy of serious consideration due to the witness's background and the detailed nature of the report.

This issue of UFO NEWS REPORT, identified as issue 23 and published by the Flying Saucer Research Group in Japan, features a collection of articles and reports that critically examine various UFO-related phenomena, claims, and scientific discoveries. The content spans from skeptical analyses of alleged contacts and hoaxes to scientific findings about Earth's radiation belts.

"Inner Circle" Teachings and "Relative Truth"

The issue begins by discussing the "Inner Circle," described as disembodied entities who serve as teachers to trance medium Mark Probert. The author expresses disappointment that even under these "impeccable auspices," the information provided is characterized as "Relative Truth" rather than absolute truth. The entities themselves reportedly disclaim responsibility for their utterances and state that their pronouncements are merely "viewpoints," which the authors find astonishing given their supposed cosmic perspective. The article notes that the "little men" stories of saucer contact are not mentioned, and the scientific information presented is at a high-school level, with the overall style deemed "cute and pompous and always hackneyed." The piece concludes that the book being reviewed exemplifies the thought processes of those who view flying saucers as a religion rather than a riddle.

The "T. Lobsang Rampa" Hoax

Another significant article scrutinizes the book "The Third Eye" by T. Lobsang Rampa, allegedly the autobiography of a high-ranking Tibetan lama. The book, which gained popularity for its dramatic experiences and claims of extrasensory perception, was followed by an article in Flying Saucer Review where Rampa claimed to have seen many saucers and even taken a trip in one. However, reviewers with knowledge of Tibet pointed out serious blunders in Rampa's account, suggesting it was a fictional concoction. Investigations revealed "Dr. Rampa" to be Cyril Hoskin, an Englishman and son of a plumber. Despite this revelation, devotees accepted Hoskin's explanation that his body was possessed by the spirit of the real Lobsang Rampa, and some, like Gray Barker, continued to promote the book.

The Riverside Creature Sighting

The issue details a bizarre encounter in Riverside, California, on November 8, 1958. Charles Wetzel reported seeing a creature described as "half-man, half-beast" and "two-legged" in the road. The creature's arms, with claws, reached across the hood of his car, and it emitted a "high-pitched gurgling sound." Wetzel managed to drive away, hitting the creature. His description included a whitish-luminescent appearance, scales or leaves, and legs that extended outward. The incident was investigated by police and reporters, who found large footprints and claw marks, though subsequent investigation was hampered by sightseers. A prankster later claimed responsibility with a costume, but Wetzel insisted the creature he saw was not human and behaved in a way that indicated unfamiliarity with cars.

Japanese UFO Contact Claim: Planet Irland

A story from UFO NEWS REPORT, issued by the Flying Saucer Research Group in Japan, recounts the claim of Tsutomu Nagai, a Japanese businessman. Nagai alleged that on March 26, he was invited aboard a saucer by a spaceman and traveled to another solar system, "Planet Irland." There, he reportedly witnessed a play in a circular theatre. The story is presented with skepticism by the editor, who notes the lack of physical evidence and the telepathic nature of the "contact." Other investigators from CBA expressed varying degrees of belief.

The Avro Saucer Project

An article examines the Avro saucer, a disk-shaped jet aircraft designed by John Frost for Avro Aircraft, Ltd. in Toronto, Canada. The project, which began in 1951, had been under development for over seven years by 1959. The article notes that the concept of a "V-7" or "Nazi saucer" was woven into tales as early as 1954, with claims that its creator, "Dr. Heinrich Richard Miethe," was in Canada reconstructing the craft. However, Avro Aircraft stated they had never heard of Miethe. In late 1954, the Canadian government withdrew support, deeming the project not promising. The U.S. Air Force later took over, but by mid-April 1959, reports indicated that the project was still in development, with test flights potentially months or a year away. The article quotes defense officials expressing little hope for the project's future and a former Canadian minister stating the saucer was "of no use to Canada whatsoever." The author expresses cynicism about the media's tendency to grasp at "conventional" explanations for UFOs, anticipating a reaction of "now it's all explained" once the Avro saucer eventually flies.

The Van Allen Radiation Belt

This section delves into the scientific discovery of the "Van Allen radiation" belts, a zone of intense radioactivity surrounding Earth. It explains that U.S. satellites Explorer I and III detected radiation levels so high that their Geiger counters jammed, indicating a significant phenomenon. Explorer IV and Pioneer III confirmed the existence of an inner and outer ring of this radiation. The article details the dimensions and intensity of these belts, highlighting that they pose a serious obstacle to manned space flight, potentially prohibiting the construction of large, permanently-inhabited artificial space stations below 400 miles or beyond 30,000 miles from Earth. The moon is suggested as a potential "advance base" for space travel due to its probable lack of a similar radiation belt. The phenomenon is tentatively explained as high-energy protons and electrons from the sun being trapped by Earth's magnetic field, possibly causing auroras. The article also mentions the "Project Argus" tests, where atomic bombs were detonated to study these effects, and notes that the radiation intensity could be lethal to humans. The implications for launching manned vehicles, suggesting polar sites as an alternative to equatorial launches, are discussed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, distinguishing between genuine scientific findings and unsubstantiated claims or hoaxes. There is a strong emphasis on skepticism towards sensationalized reports and a preference for verifiable evidence and scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, debunking fraudulent claims, and highlighting the challenges and realities of space exploration, particularly in light of scientific discoveries like the Van Allen radiation belts. The magazine also touches upon government secrecy and the media's role in reporting on UFOs.

This document is a review of two books related to unusual phenomena and fringe science, published under the "SAUCER BOOKS" section of a magazine, issue number 29, likely from 1956.

Review of "Steps To The Stars" by Daniel W. Fry

The primary focus is a critique of Daniel W. Fry's book, "Steps To The Stars," published by Understanding Pub. Co. in 1956, priced at $2.50. The booklet, described as attractively produced and cloth-bound, is presented as an exposition of new physics principles allegedly taught to Fry by his "space friends." The reviewer notes Fry's cautious phrasing, avoiding explicit claims of extraterrestrial origin, a characteristic contrasted with his "enthusiastic disciple" Gavin Gibbons, who reprinted Fry's text attributed to "A-Lan."

Fry's stated aim in the book is to discuss basic physical concepts for constructing and operating a space vehicle, though he warns readers not to expect a blueprint. He claims to have resolved misinterpretations of mathematics, declaring the theoretical physicist's job done and leaving the practical application to physicists and engineers. The reviewer dismisses Fry's work as "mountebankery," a "salad of physical terms and impressive-sounding dicta" designed to impress the layman who may lack the expertise to discern its flaws.

The review highlights several specific instances of Fry's alleged scientific errors:

• Velocity and Energy: Fry's assertion that "The term velocity has no significance except as an observed kinetic energy differential" (p. 61) is called "absurd." He further claims that the velocity of light (c) represents the greatest kinetic energy differential and is the kinetic energy equivalent of mass energy. The reviewer states this is an "inadmissible" use of terms, as velocity has the dimensionality "v" while energy has "mv²," making them fundamentally different.
• Frequency and Energy: Fry incorrectly converts Planck's equation to equate a frequency differential with 'c,' suggesting that a material object possesses a "frequency" that, if it ceases to exist as matter, enters the plane of energy. This concept is deemed meaningless by the reviewer.
• Gravitation: Fry's claims that electrons are unaffected by gravitation and that nuclear fission is due to a mysterious reversal of gravitation in unstable nuclei are refuted as untrue and absurd. His assertion that gravitational force becomes negative at great distances is also questioned.
• Mass of Light: Fry's belief that light has mass, disproving Einstein's theory that infinite energy is required to accelerate mass to the speed of light, is presented as evidence of Fry's limited understanding of physics and physicists.
• Special Relativity: Chapters 5 and 6 of Fry's book are described as an attempt to disprove Einstein's theory of special relativity, but the reviewer finds this effort to be a "royal mess" due to Fry's lack of understanding, with experiments that "beg the question" by assuming faster-than-light travel is possible.

At the end of his book, Fry recommends "The Great Saucer Conspiracy" by Keyhoe. The reviewer concludes that Fry is a dangerous "contact" claimant due to his sophisticated and plausible, though pompous, writing style, which can deceive many readers. While acknowledging Fry's intelligence and some acute comments, the reviewer points to his lack of education and honesty.

Review of "Fads and Fallacies" by Martin Gardner

The second part of the review discusses Martin Gardner's book "Fads and Fallacies," a reissue of his 1952 work "In The Name Of Science" by Dover, priced at $1.50. This book is described as a "treasury of cranks, crackpots, and pseudo-scientists," intended to help readers recognize the earmarks of a crank. However, the reviewer notes that Gardner includes UFOs, dowsing, general semantics, and parapsychology under the umbrella term "mania," suggesting he is not discriminating. A quote from Gardner's postcard indicates his stance that UFOs are a "mass mania" unless stronger evidence than visual reports emerges.

Who "Discovered Space Animals"?

This section explores the origins of the idea that UFOs might be living organisms or "space animals." It traces the concept through various individuals and publications:

• Ivan Sanderson: Mentioned as a principal advocate, influenced by Countess Zoë Wassilko-Serecki's theory of ionospheric, energy-feeding entities.
• Rene Fouéré: A French engineer who proposed a hypothesis in 1954 about "disc-beings" capable of living in interplanetary space.
• Walter Karig: Noted for suggesting in 1953 that UFO behavior was more like "puppies" than spaceships.
• Desmond Leslie: His 1953 book "Flying Saucers Have Landed" played with the idea of cylindrical UFOs as "huge living things" and suggested "angel hair" was organic matter related to ectoplasm.
• David W. Chase: Proposed in 1951 that "small saucers are the beings themselves."
• John Philip Bessor: Claimed priority for the conception of "poltergeist-animals" capable of materialization, presenting his theory to the USAF in 1947.
• Kenneth Arnold and a "top biologist": The idea was publicly advanced by them around 1951.
• Project Sign (Air Force): Remarked in 1949 that "strange extraterrestrial animals" were remotely considered.
• Alfred Loedding: Stated in 1954 that UFOs might be a "kind of space animal."
• Luis W. Alvarez: Remarked in 1948 that radar "angels" or "gizmos" appeared "alive."

The section also points out that such ideas existed in science fiction before 1947, citing examples like Raymond Gallun's "The Beast of the Void" (1936) and Eric Frank Russell's "Sinister Barrier" (1939). The ultimate origin of many of these concepts is attributed to Charles Fort, who wrote about "hosts of rotund tourists in interplanetary space" and "living things" in the sky in his books "The Book of the Damned" (1919), "Lo!" (1931), and "New Lands" (1923).

The author concludes by soliciting further information on overlooked "space-animal" theorists.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO-related literature and theories. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of pseudo-scientific claims, particularly those presented by "contactees" like Daniel W. Fry. The reviewers emphasize the importance of rigorous scientific understanding and distinguish between genuine scientific inquiry and speculative or fraudulent claims. The "space animals" section, while exploring a specific UFO hypothesis, also traces its roots to earlier speculative thought, including science fiction and the work of Charles Fort, highlighting the cyclical nature of certain ideas in the field. The overall tone is one of debunking and critical analysis, aiming to educate readers on how to identify and evaluate fringe theories.