Little Listening Post -1955 08-09 - Vol 02 No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LITTLE LISTENING POST
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 4
Date: August - September 1955
Publisher: Gray Barker Collection
Location: Washington, D.C.

This issue of THE LITTLE LISTENING POST, a publication described as 'THE NEWS IN CAPSULE', offers a collection of brief reports and observations on a variety of topics, with a strong emphasis on UFOs, government activities, scientific advancements, and societal trends of the mid-1950s. The publication is presented as a compilation of news and information gathered from various sources, aiming to keep its readers informed about what it perceives as significant developments.

The News in Capsule

UFOs and Government Projects

The lead story, "THE SAUCER RACE IS ON," highlights global government interest in developing disc-shaped aircraft. France and Canada are noted as actively working on such craft. The U.S. government's silence on the matter is attributed by a Pentagon spokesman to a fear of causing 'hysteria,' rather than a lack of information. A U.S. patent for a disc-shaped craft is mentioned, and there are persistent reports of the U.S. having launched a satellite or a rocket that continued beyond its intended trajectory. A British journal is cited as planning a camera-equipped satellite. The issue also notes that physicists are reportedly conferring on 'new propulsion' methods.

Delinquency and Social Issues

A brief report from London mentions a method for curing juvenile delinquency: sentencing them to 3 months on a workfarm, with a stark note that 'None has ever returned!' The editor laments the 'world's moral breakdown.'

Washington D.C. News and Developments

Reports from Washington D.C. include a proposal for a 'Million $ Bell Tower' on Capitol Grounds, potentially to honor Taft. The city is projected to become the 'foremost city in the world' with an eventual population of 15 million. The Wash. Board of Trade is described as working overtime to envision a vast cultural center, influenced by the 'New Age.' The construction of a new Federal Building is also noted. Stassen is mentioned as a new full Cabinet Member, serving as 'Assistant to the President for Peace & Disarmament,' indicating a focus on the 'Now Age.'

International and Scientific Notes

Morgan Beatty of NBC comments on 'EVERY DAY MODERN COMMUNICATION PIERCES ANOTHER VEIL.' Arthur Clarke, an 'Interplanetary Writer,' sends a postcard from Australia's Great Barrier Reef, describing his isolated life and diving activities. A conference held in Bonn, Germany, discussed the 'Christian Attitude Toward Visitors From Other Planets,' with a theologian stating that contact would be the 'most sensational and dramatic event in human history' and that governments should prepare people for it.

Space and Technology

Reports indicate progress on a 'big SPACE LAB' at Yucca Valley, with a main building costing $26,000, according to Van Tassel. Geo. Williamson, known for 'Adamski Contact,' is reported to have obtained land in Arizona for a 'Light Beam Lab' intended for direct interstellar communication. The issue also mentions the possibility of 'Atomic heating & cooling' becoming available within three years, houses made of glass, and nuclear-powered bombers.

Health and Psychic Phenomena

The 'HEALTH FRONT' section touches upon various ailments and potential remedies, including a new remedy for skin ailments and the increasing use of sleep in therapeutics. It also references H. G. Wells' concept of 'peace bombs' that induce sleep. A psychic pre-view suggests that 'Science, Art, Music' will be integral to future healing, with doctors prescribing rhythms for diseases. A report on the spraying of forests with 'yellow poison' is presented as a serious environmental and agricultural problem affecting bees and crop growth.

UFO Research and Publications

The issue details the formation of new UFO research groups in Miami Beach and Italy, and mentions the activities of groups like C.I.R.N.O.S. in Switzerland and the N.Z. CSI in New Zealand. It highlights the upcoming 'UFC REPORTER ANNUAL' for 1955, compiled by M. K. Jessup, which will include news items, sightings, a directory of clubs, and bibliographies. Prizes are offered for contributions to this annual, such as collections of clippings, bibliographies, lists of clubs, personal sighting reports, and analyses of UFO types.

Mail Bag and Editorial Stance

The 'FROM OUR MAIL BAG' section thanks subscribers for their support and appreciation, noting that much of the work is done 'mostly for love.' The Little Listening Post's mission is described as 'listening and surveying.' The publication aims to cover 'The elimination of Disease; the elimination of Want; the elimination of Ignorance' and the 'On-coming of SPACE,' stating that 'GREAT CHANGES ARE ON THE WAY!'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently emphasizes the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in the realm of aerospace and potential extraterrestrial technology. There is a recurring theme of government secrecy and the public's right to know, especially concerning UFOs. The concept of a 'New Age' and spiritual awakening is interwoven with discussions of scientific progress and societal changes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging readers to be aware of and prepared for significant future developments, including potential contact with non-human intelligence and major shifts in human civilization.