Civlilian Saucer Intellligence of New York - Various Documents

Magazine Overview

This document comprises a collection of communications from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence Group of New York (CSIG), primarily from the spring and early summer of 1954. It includes official statements of policy, announcements of meetings, financial reports, and calls for member participation in organizational planning.

Statement of Policy (June 1954 & January 1955)

The core of the publication is the "Statement of Policy" regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The organization takes a firm stance that UFOs are real objects, acknowledging that many sightings may be misinterpretations or hoaxes, but asserting that a significant number of reports come from reliable observers and cannot be dismissed. The behavior of these objects strongly suggests an extraterrestrial origin. The group's primary activity is to collect and study factual material, including eyewitness reports and theories consistent with current science and technology. The work is directed towards natural, rather than supernatural, explanations, though "occult" aspects are not entirely denied but deemed inappropriate for the organization as a whole. Evidence regarding "personal contacts" with extraterrestrials is considered incomplete and not sufficient for study by the group.

Organizational Planning and Membership (June 1954 - February 1955)

A "Temporary Committee on Organization" was appointed to act as a clearing house for members' ideas on the CSIG's structure, constitution, by-laws, committees, and activities. Members were encouraged to submit suggestions. A questionnaire was distributed to gauge interest in specific activities such as sky-watching, record assembly and study, newspaper coverage, radio monitoring, publication of a magazine, research into occult aspects, lectures, interviews, and correspondence.

Detailed financial statements for the period of February to June 1954 reveal the income and expenditures of the CSIG. Income sources included membership fees ($74.00), lending library ($1.70), donations ($39.19), and lecture & meeting admissions ($516.30), totaling $631.19. Expenditures covered postage ($39.93), rentals ($249.50), stationery & supplies ($38.21), telephone ($91.50), taxes ($33.80), and extras ($178.25), also totaling $631.19. The financial report indicates that the organization was operating "continuously in the red financially."

Announcements in February 1955 addressed the financial situation, leading to a vote to raise annual membership dues from $1.00 to $5.00. This increase was intended to cover operational costs like postage, mimeographing, and meeting rentals, which previously fell on individual members. Provisions were made for members who had already paid the old dues, offering credit towards 1955 dues. Future dues were to be payable in January, with a reduced rate for those joining in the last four months of the year. New membership cards were to be issued.

Meetings and Communications (June 1954 - April 1955)

Announcements for forthcoming meetings were made. A meeting on Friday, June 25, 1954, was scheduled to include a panel discussion on specific questions regarding saucers, with participants including Captain W. J. Hull, John DuBarry, James Moseley, Ivan Sanderson, Ted Bloecher, and Ed Wilkenson, moderated by Harold Oksenkrug. Members were invited to submit questions in writing beforehand.

A "Notice To Lapsed Members" dated April 18, 1955, indicated that some members had not renewed their membership for 1955 and their names were transferred to a mailing list, though they would still receive notices for public meetings. The notice encouraged renewal, highlighting planned activities.

Another announcement from April 18, 1955, detailed a forthcoming meeting on Thursday, April 28, featuring a film on rocket development, an outline of the CSI Research Section's work, and detailed reports of unpublished cases. Admission was 25 cents, and refreshments were to be served.

Special Notices and Acknowledgements

A "IMPORTANT NOTICE" urged members to send postcards to radio commentator Frank Edwards, supporting his reporting on flying saucers, as he was considered a source of "fresh information."

Acknowledgements were made to two CSI members, Miss Paulina Peavy and Phillip Miller, for turning over their personal files to the organization, which would be incorporated into the CSI files.

An "IMPORTANT" notice sought information about a centrally-located place where the CSI library and files could be kept open and available to members at least two nights a week.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in these documents are the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, the need for organized research based on factual evidence, the practicalities of running a member-based organization (including finances and activities), and the importance of member participation. The editorial stance is one of cautious but determined inquiry into the UFO subject, prioritizing empirical data and rational explanations while remaining open to the possibility of extraordinary phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the group's operational and organizational development throughout the period covered.

This document comprises a collection of materials from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence (CSI) of New York, including an initial information sheet, announcements regarding membership and finances, financial reports, a statement of policy, general information, an application for membership, and a UFO alert plan. The materials span from approximately 1954 to 1957, with a significant financial report covering October 1, 1955, to June 3, 1956.

Civilian Saucer Intelligence: Purpose and Activities

The Civilian Saucer Intelligence (CSI) of New York is presented as a non-profit organization founded in February 1954 by individuals interested in unidentified aerial phenomena, particularly "flying saucers." Its primary goal is to promote better public knowledge and attitudes toward flying saucers and to further research in the field. This is achieved through public meetings, lectures, and the dissemination of information.

Planned Topics for Meetings

Planned topics for CSI meetings indicate a comprehensive approach to the subject of flying saucers. These include discussions on alleged landing reports within the United States, theories of saucer origin with question-and-answer periods, specific theories such as those of Menzels, Heards, Adamskis, and Keyhoes, and the latest saucer reports and similar phenomena. Discussions also covered famous Green Fireball phenomena and various saucer aircraft types.

Exhibits

Exhibits were planned to accompany meetings, featuring material discussing saucer reports. These included saucer photos and authentic sketches from eyewitness reports (on loan from the FLYING SAUCER RESEARCHERS), famous front-page newspaper reports from 1946 to 1952, and historical reports dating back to 1860 from original newspaper reports and old magazines.

Membership Structure and Finances

Membership Charge and Privileges

Initially, a one-year membership was $1.00 per person, with dues of $0.50 per meeting to cover notification, group bulletins, and meeting resumes. Later, the annual dues were raised to $5.00. Membership privileges included access to a lending library of material on unidentified flying objects (books and over 100 magazine articles), information on all saucer phenomena, and free lectures by noted flying saucer researchers and authorities.

Financial Reports

Financial reports detail the organization's income and expenditures. For the period of October 1, 1955, to June 3, 1956, total receipts amounted to $1981.90, and total expenditures were $1939.80, leaving a balance of $42.10. Income sources included admissions to meetings (with specific attendance numbers for speakers like Jessup, Keyhoe, Bloecher, Sanderson, Edwards, and Barker), book sales, literature sales, new memberships, and contributions. Expenditures covered speaker fees (Jessup, Keyhoe, Edwards), hall rentals (Steinway Hall, St. Nicholas Ballroom, Adelphi Hall, Pythian Temple, Roosevelt Auditorium), mailing expenses, stationery supplies, printing and offsetting (letterheads, registration cards, membership cards, announcements), newspaper advertisements, subscription to a clipping service, books bought for resale, phone bills, telegrams, tape recordings, photostating, blowups and mounts for wall displays, purchase of UFO literature and photographs, bank charges, and excise tax on meeting admissions.

Membership Dues Adjustments

An announcement dated February 14, 1955, explained a significant increase in yearly dues from $1.00 to $5.00 due to a shortage of funds. Members who had already paid an additional $4.00 for their current year were given credit towards their 1955 dues. New members and those who had not paid renewal notices owed $5.00. Future dues were to be payable in January, with a pro-rated fee for those joining in the last four months of the year.

Statement of Policy

Adopted by the Executive Committee on January 4, 1957, the Statement of Policy outlines CSI's beliefs and undertakings. CSI believes that unidentified objects or manifestations exist in the atmosphere, are diverse in form, some appear material, controlled by intelligences, or are constructions, and some have landed. CSI has no reason to believe UFOs have occult or religious connotations or that humans have communicated with them. CSI undertakes to collect reports, investigate at first hand, evaluate evidence by scientific principles, and disseminate its findings.

General Information and Membership Application

General information provided in June 1957 states that CSI of New York had approximately 125 members by the end of 1956. Membership benefits included a voice in policy, reduced admission to public meetings, free reports, subscription to the CSI News Letter, and access to the library and files. The organization is supported by membership fees, admission fees, and contributions. The Research Section is building a card catalogue of reports and a bibliographical index, and maintains a library of periodicals and books. The News Letter is issued bi-monthly. Public meetings feature reputable speakers. Membership dues are $5.00 per year for local members and $3.50 for out-of-town members. An application for membership form is included, requiring personal details and a $5.00 payment for annual dues.

UFO Alert Plan

An "U. F. O. ALERT PLAN" is described, designed to quickly alert CSI members and associates in the New York metropolitan area about UFO sightings. The plan utilizes a chain telephone system, where a member spotting a UFO calls another member, who then calls another, and so on, until the entire membership is alerted. The alert list includes members' names, areas of residence, and telephone numbers, with designating letters for areas (e.g., "A" for Manhattan, "B" for the Bronx) and numbers for individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these documents are the investigation and reporting of unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs), the organization and management of a group dedicated to this pursuit, and the financial and operational aspects of maintaining such an organization. The editorial stance is one of serious, scientific inquiry into UFOs, rejecting occult or religious interpretations and focusing on evidence-based research and public education. The organization aims to be a credible source of information and a platform for discussion on the topic.

This document consists of two pages from what appears to be a newsletter or bulletin from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (CSI). The first page details an alert system for members to report UFO sightings, and the second page is an announcement for a public lecture.

Alert System Details (Page 1)

The first page outlines a procedure for members to report UFO sightings. If a member witnesses a UFO, they are instructed to telephone the first name on a designated list (or the second if the first is unavailable). The report should include their name, member number, and a description of the sighting, such as "I just saw (or heard of) a UFO moving southwest from the Washington Bridge." The caller then requests that their name be removed from the list and the alert be started. If the called member does not answer, the caller is to try the next name on the list until a connection is made.

NOTES are provided regarding the reporting process:

1. Members are to be supplied with sighting report cards, which they must fill out and mail immediately to a designated point. Members are also encouraged to obtain report cards from neighbors, friends, and others who have made sightings.
2. As the membership grows, the alert plan can be further detailed with interlocking lists for different local areas.

Public Lecture Announcement (Page 2)

The second page is an announcement for the first public lecture-meeting of the 1958-59 Season by the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York. The event is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 1958, at 8:30 P.M. SHARP, on ELECTION EVE, at The Crystal Room, Hotel Diplomat, 108 West 43rd St., New York, N.Y.

The featured speaker is Capt. William B. Nash of Pan American World Airways, who will discuss "U.F.O.'s As Air Line Pilots See Them." Capt. Nash is described as a witness to a famous air encounter with UFOs and a Special Advisor to NICAP, a national investigating organization. He is highlighted as a veteran pilot uniquely qualified to share insights into what pilots observe, know, and think about flying saucers.

In addition to Capt. Nash's presentation, the lecture will include reports from the CSI Research Section on recent UFO phenomena. These reports are expected to cover:

• A disk appearance at Delaware Water Gap.
• The fall of 'angel's hair' at Portales, New Mexico.
• A report from Pfc. Jerome Scanlon of the U.S. Army concerning a landing near Baltimore.

Admission details are as follows:

• CSI members: Free (must present membership card).
• Non-members: $1.50.

The announcement suggests that due to limited seating at previous meetings, non-member tickets should be purchased in advance for reserved seats. Tickets will be mailed upon receipt of the order form, and they will also be sold at the door. An order form is provided for mailing requests to CSI of N.Y., 19 Cherrywood Lane, Port Washington, N.Y., specifying the number of tickets at $1.50 each and indicating payment by check or money order.

The bottom of the page includes CSI of N.Y.'s address and a BULK MAIL permit from Roslyn Heights, N.Y.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document reflects an active UFO investigation and reporting organization in the late 1950s. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging public participation and the systematic collection of sighting data. The emphasis on pilot testimonies and the involvement of a national organization like NICAP suggest a desire for credible, well-researched information. The detailed alert system indicates a proactive approach to tracking and disseminating information about UFO events.