DOUBT

Magazine Overview

DOUBT Magazine, Issue No. 14, Spring 1931

This issue of DOUBT, the Fortean Society Magazine, edited by Tiffany Thayer, presents a diverse collection of articles, reports, and commentary on unexplained phenomena, societal critiques, and cultural observations. The cover features prominent Japanese kanji characters, '知人' (Chijin), with a note indicating that their meaning is explored in an article within CULTURE by Ezra Pound. The magazine utilizes the Fortean 13-month calendar, with this issue dated 'Spring 16 FS', corresponding to 1931 AD.

Society and Editorial Notes

The editorial section highlights the return of HFFS Eric Frank Russell from military service, expressing optimism for renewed efforts in Great Britain. Russell's own report details a state of incipient revolution and unrest in the country, with a shift in sentiment away from American policies and towards Russian ones, attributing this partly to the perceived negative impacts of American financial influence and the use of atom bombs.

Reports on Unexplained Phenomena

The magazine is replete with brief reports on various anomalous events, categorized under headings like 'WHAT KIND OF BOTTLES?', 'HEHR ON GOLD HILL', 'PHILLY TARGET?', 'BRONX MIRACLE', 'WILL O' THE WISPS', and 'COLOR HEALING'.

• Poltergeist Activity: Harold Hickman of Cheyenne experienced bottles being hurled at his home, attributed to poltergeists or neighbors.
• Meteorological and Astronomical Events: A brilliant bolide was observed near Philadelphia on October 21, 1945, and a similar event occurred on May 4, 1945. A 'sky blast' was reported near Waterville, Maine, on August 1, 1945, involving an explosion and bright light.
• Unusual Geological and Hydrological Events: A column of water, approximately 20 feet wide and 100 feet high, rose from the ocean off Norfolk, Virginia, on October 31, 1945. The 'HEHR ON GOLD HILL' section discusses phenomena similar to 'crazy houses' at amusement parks, with Albert E. Page and Frederick G. Hehr reporting on a force affecting gravity, possibly emanating from a pre-historic instrument.
• Anomalous Animal Behavior: Reports include fish dying in large numbers in the Baltimore region, a blue frog shown at the Philadelphia Zoo, and an unexplained armadillo crossing a highway in Rhode Island.
• Strange Lights and Objects: A 'shiny object' described as tubular with a blue flame was seen over Morganton, North Carolina, on June 1, 1945, followed by an explosive sound.
• Unusual Weather Phenomena: A rain of beans was reported in St. Louis on September 22, 1945.
• Fortean Events: The 'GOING UP' section notes a water column rising from the ocean. The 'ROCKET' section reports a tubular object in North Carolina. The 'INDIANA'S SKY MONSTER' section details a mysterious object seen over Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1891.

Personalities and Society

• Benjamin De Casseres: The passing of writer Benjamin De Casseres is noted, remembering his early rebellious spirit and his kinship with Charles Fort.
• Conscientious Objectors: The magazine highlights the work of Werner Janney, a conscientious objector, who published a camp magazine called '27 F'.
• U.S. Navy Personnel: An appeal is made for U.S. Navy personnel who participated in voyages with mysterious individuals to share details confidentially.
• Political Figures: An alert is issued for sightings of Mussolini, Claretta Petacci, Hitler, or his alleged mistress.
• Warren G. Dugan: Dugan's story as a conscientious objector who became a laboratory assistant at Yale, working with polio virus, is recounted, ending with his death from polio.
• John E. Reid and the 'Lie Detector': A critical letter from the Secretary questions the Associated Press's reporting on 'lie detector' improvements, suggesting potential bias and deception.
• Thomas Paine: The Thomas Paine Memorial Committee's efforts to have Paine admitted to the Hall of Fame are mentioned.
• Ezra Pound: Pound is noted as being at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, translating Chinese poetry.

Scientific and Medical Commentary

• Polio from Vaccine: MFS F. S. Hurd is cited as believing infantile paralysis is caused by vaccination, with cases of infant deaths following injections mentioned.
• Sunspots and War: Professor Knut Lundmarch of Lund University Observatory suggests sunspots cause wars, predicting the next one in 1962.
• Color Healing: The issue discusses the use of colored lights in healing, referencing Dinshah P. Ghadiali's 'spectro-chrome' machines and the work of Faber Birren and George Starr White.
• Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis: A reprint from Popular Astronomy by John Millis on the obliquity curve during glacial periods is featured.

Book and Publication Reviews/Advertisements

• The Books of Charles Fort: An advertisement promotes a four-volume compilation of Charles Fort's works, including 'The Book of the Damned', 'New Lands', 'Lo!', and 'Wild Talents', with an introduction by Tiffany Thayer.
• World Events: A publication analyzed and interpreted by Scott Nearing is advertised, described as written by a man fired from university faculties for teaching facts instead of lies.
• Rape of the Masses: Chakotin's book, 'Rape of the Masses', is advertised as a blueprint for gaining domination and mentally enslaving people.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions orthodox scientific explanations, highlights unexplained phenomena, and offers critical commentary on societal and political issues. There is a strong emphasis on the work of Charles Fort and the Fortean Society's mission to document and investigate anomalies. The editorial stance is skeptical of mainstream narratives and supportive of independent inquiry into the unusual. The use of 'old style' dates alongside modern ones indicates a connection to historical records and a specific calendrical system used by the society.