Doubt - No 17

Magazine Overview

This issue of DOUBT, identified as No. 17 and part of The Fortean Society Magazine, is dated 1931 AD. It is published by The Fortean Society and edited by Tiffany Thayer. The cover price is 25c. The magazine features complex mathematical equations and discussions, with contributions from individuals like Eric Frank Russell.

Mathematical and Scientific Content

The primary content visible on the cover and the initial pages consists of advanced mathematical equations. These equations, involving terms like (dλ/dvq), (dλ/dvp), and (dλ/dvR), are presented with references to "third and higher orders" and "equations resulting from the differentiation of this equation." The text mentions "geodesic with P as origin" and "Christoffel symbols," indicating a focus on theoretical physics or advanced mathematics, possibly related to geometry or relativity.

Publication Details

The magazine is based in New York City, USA. It is part of a series published by The Fortean Society. The issue is identified as No. 17, and the year is explicitly stated as 1931 AD, which is also referred to as "the year I F S." The price is 25c.

Editorial and Contributors

Tiffany Thayer is credited as the editor. Eric Frank Russell is noted as a contributor, with an address provided for correspondence in England.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

While the specific articles are not fully detailed on the cover, the presence of complex scientific and mathematical content, combined with the Fortean Society's known interest in anomalous phenomena, suggests a blend of scientific inquiry and the exploration of unexplained events. The magazine's title, "DOUBT," implies a critical and questioning approach to established knowledge.

This issue of "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT" (Issue No. 259, Volume 261) from November 1946, published by The Fortean Society, presents a collection of unexplained phenomena, news reports, and critical commentary. The cover features a stark, symbolic illustration and the title "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT."

News and Reports of Unexplained Phenomena

The issue begins with a series of contemporary reports from late 1946. A tremor at Niagara Falls on September 21, 1946, is discussed, with officials stating no perceptible change in the falls. The Buffalo News reported a "sharp but very weak" shock. The Seattle Star concluded that a natural earth motion was responsible for a disturbance. Dr. Lyman Spitzer of Yale University's observations on interstellar gas temperatures are mentioned, along with calculations by a committee headed by Dr. Harry Wexler of the U.S. Weather Bureau regarding temperatures above Earth's surface.

A notable section details events over Baltimore in August 1946, where a "ball of fire suspended from a parachute" was reported, followed by similar sightings. On November 20, 1946, in Baltimore, multiple witnesses reported seeing individuals suspended from parachutes, accompanied by red lights and vocalizations.

Reports of "ballistics" incidents include various accounts of bullets, some unidentified, striking individuals or property across different locations in the US, such as Buffalo, New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Rockford, Illinois.

The "NO SUCH ANIMAL" section compiles sightings of unusual creatures: a "swimming cow" at Swan Lake, Michigan; a creature with a "face like a gorilla" near Cape San Martin, California, known as "Bobo"; a "rose-colored" object at Lake Como; and reports of black panthers in Indiana and Illinois. Other animal sightings include a "ferocious pig-dog" in Columbus, Ohio, and a bear-sized creature in Evanston, Illinois.

Geological events are also covered, including land subsidence at Kiblesworth, Durham, affecting over 70 homes, with company agents denying responsibility for mining operations.

The Truth About India

This section, continued from a previous issue, offers a critical perspective on the judicial and executive systems in Indian princely states. Kanhayalal Gauba writes that High Courts are often staffed by friends of the Diwan or inexperienced lawyers, with judges earning modest salaries. A significant point of criticism is that subjects cannot bring charges against State Officials, who are immune from prosecution for offenses committed in their official or private capacities. The article highlights the slow pace of justice, with cases taking ten to twenty years to resolve, and instances where accused individuals die before a verdict. The executive, led by the Diwan or Chief Minister, is described as often being an outsider focused on consolidating personal power through flattery of the Prince and appointing relatives to influential positions. The precariousness of the Diwan's position is emphasized, subject to palace intrigues and the Prince's capricious favor.

Charles Fort's Catalog of Phenomena

The bulk of the magazine consists of "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT," a chronological catalog of unexplained events from the 19th century. These entries, organized by date, detail a wide array of phenomena:

• Quakes and Tremors: Numerous earthquakes are recorded across various locations, including Russia, Central America, Geneva, Italy, Hungary, Scotland, France, India, and Greece.
• Meteors and Fireballs: Sightings of fireballs and meteors are documented extensively, with descriptions of their appearance, trajectory, and sometimes associated sounds or detonations. Locations include France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Scotland, and North America.
• Atmospheric Phenomena: Reports include "colored rain" (reddish-powder) in Greece, waterspouts, luminous lights in the sky, and unusual cloud formations.
• Explosions and Sounds: Unexplained loud noises, "hissing noises," and explosions are noted in conjunction with other phenomena, such as quakes and meteors.
• Strange Falls: Accounts of small fishes falling from the clouds in Scotland and stones falling in Spain are included.
• Other Anomalies: The catalog also lists magnetic perturbations, auroras, and curious events like a "whirl" in Liverpool that reportedly carried clothes from lines and chimneys.

Specific entries detail events such as the "great quake" in Geneva, a "luminous globe" seen in France, and a "detonating meteor" in Toulouse. The notes often cite sources like "C.R." (Comptes Rendus), "BA" (presumably a Fortean publication), "LT" (London Times), and "Nature."

Advertisements

The final page features advertisements for books. "America NEEDS Indians" by Iktomi is promoted as a plan for conserving the continent. "Order Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis" by John Millis is offered. "Rape of the Masses" by Chakotin is described as a blueprint for gaining domination and enslaving peoples. Finally, "The Books of Charles Fort," a compilation of his major works including "The Book of the Damned," "New Lands," "Lo!," and "Wild Talents," is advertised as a "PERFECT GIFT."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the cataloging of unexplained phenomena, the critical examination of established institutions (like the Indian judiciary), and the presentation of alternative or fringe perspectives through book advertisements. The editorial stance, consistent with Charles Fort's work, is one of skepticism towards conventional explanations and a dedication to documenting anomalous events that defy scientific understanding. The publication serves as a repository for such occurrences, encouraging readers to question the status quo and consider the vastness of the unknown.