Roundhouse - Vol 02 No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: THE ROUNDHOUSE
Issue: Vol. 2, No. 9
Date: June 1954
Publisher: Neal Kearney
Country: U. S. A.
Price: 25 Cents

This issue of "The Roundhouse," subtitled "THE STRANGE & UNUSUAL," presents a collection of articles exploring phenomena beyond the ordinary, blending historical accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and speculative thought.

Contents

The issue features several articles:

• Prophetic Blood by Duine Gealach (Pages 3-4): This article details the miraculous liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius in Naples, Italy. It recounts the events of May 1, 1954, when the blood failed to liquefy at the traditional time, which is considered an ill omen historically linked to calamities like plague, cholera, and war. The article provides historical context for the saint and the significance of the blood's liquefaction as a sign of good or ill fortune for Naples.
• Saucers Over Iowa by Darold Powers (Pages 6-8): This piece investigates the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligences visiting Earth, posing questions about the implications for humanity. It includes an account from Capt. Vinther, who investigated a bright light near the Sioux City airport on January 20, 1951. The object was described as larger than a B-29, cigar-shaped, and capable of high-speed maneuvers. The article also recounts an experience of Prof. John H. Russ from SUI, who in 1947 observed four saucers resembling inverted soup dishes flying in formation in Yellowstone Park.
• Radio and Saucers (The Editor) (Page 12): This section, presumably an editorial, likely discusses the connection between radio phenomena and flying saucers, though the content is not detailed in the provided pages.
• From "The Little Listening Post" (Pages 16-17): This appears to be a regular column, possibly featuring reader contributions or commentary on various unusual topics.
• Sheriff "Kills" Monster (Page 17): A brief mention of an incident where a sheriff reportedly dealt with a 'monster,' hinting at a local legend or unusual event.
• This N' That (Page 18): Another section likely covering miscellaneous unusual topics or news items.

Advertising and Other Content

• The Rosicrucians (AMORC) (Page 3): An advertisement offers a free book, "The Mastery of Life," from the Rosicrucians, described as a brotherhood of learning preserving secret wisdom.
• Flying Saucers Advertisement (Page 5): An advertisement for a scientific report on Adamski and Coniston flying saucer photos, available for 35 cents, from ARCHERS' COURT, HASTINGS, ENGLAND.

Discussion on Saucers and Phenomena

The magazine explores various perspectives on flying saucers. C. C. Wylie, a meteorologist at SUI, suggests that many reports can be explained by natural phenomena like light reflections, birds, balloons, or airplanes. However, the article notes that radar can detect blips, and if multiple sets show the same anomaly, it might indicate a solid object. Sightings over Washington D.C. in 1952 are mentioned, where objects eluded pursuers and were detected by radar under unusual atmospheric conditions. The issue also touches upon "green fireballs," with Dr. Lincoln La Paz stating they are not meteors, and discusses the potential implications of contact with extraterrestrial beings.

Carrol Mickey, an assistant professor of sociology at SUI, is quoted on the importance of studying flying saucers without assuming catastrophe and suggests cooperation with potential visitors. He also comments on humanity's growing acceptance of scientific developments and the prospects of interplanetary war, noting a tendency towards antagonism towards the strange.

Dr. Lampe of the SUI school of religion reassures that accepting the possibility of life on other planets does not contradict Protestant or Catholic doctrine, suggesting such contact could enrich religious understanding, though it might challenge orthodox beliefs.

John Anderson, a WW II pilot, is mentioned as relating an experience of a fellow pilot.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of the supernatural, religious phenomena, and unexplained aerial objects (UFOs). The magazine appears to present a wide range of unusual reports and theories, from historical omens and miracles to modern-day sightings of flying saucers. The editorial stance seems open to exploring these phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging scientific skepticism and natural explanations. There's a clear interest in the unknown and its potential impact on human understanding and society.

This issue of "Flying Saucers" magazine, identified as issue number 10, presents a collection of articles and reports related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unexplained aerial phenomena, and related topics. The content spans various incidents, theories, and discussions within the UFO community of the era.

Key Articles and Reports

Anderson's Sighting

The issue details a sighting by a flyer named Anderson on September 21, 1953, around 8:30 p.m., near Mercy Hospital. Anderson observed a condensation trail leading behind a tree, from which a star-like object appeared. He described it as "one and a half times the size of Jupiter at that season" and "the biggest and brightest thing in the sky." After 15 to 20 seconds, the object diminished in size, changing from blue-white to pale pink as it disappeared. Anderson calculated its altitude to be 12 to 15 miles high, concluding it was not a plane and too slow for a meteor. When he reported it to Professor Wylie, Wylie flatly stated, "That was a meteor." The article notes that Anderson refuses to identify his informant, referred to as "X," who claims that the Mantell case was only the first instance of a fatality related to UFOs.

Pilot Encounters and Warnings

Another section recounts an incident where a pilot, while pursuing a UFO, radioed back, "I'm going to open fire." Immediately after, his plane disintegrated. The text mentions that very similar mishaps occurred at other times. Base intelligence officers had warned pilots to refrain from hostile actions when pursuing saucers, advising them to state, "I am friendly. I will not fire." It is noted that no one who followed this advice was harmed.

Ground Observers Corps and Project Blue Book

The article discusses the role of the Ground Observers Corps (GOC), acknowledging its potential service to defense in certain cities. However, Anderson contends that the GOC could do little to prevent an attack and is primarily set up for UFO observation. It also references an article in the May issue of "True" magazine by Captain Edward Ruppelt, who led Project Blue Book from 1951 to 1953. Ruppelt concluded that UFOs are either interplanetary or do not exist, with insufficient evidence for either conclusion.

Radio and Saucers

An editorial piece titled "RADIO AND SAUCERS" by the Editor addresses the topic of "contacts" by radio with saucers. The writer expresses personal knowledge of strange and unusual "messages" heard via continuous wave transmission on the radio. While acknowledging that these messages might be interpreted as international Morse code, the writer questions their earthly origin due to potential variations. A specific message heard on 405 kc to "contact Alesandro Stockvet of Chicago" is mentioned, but a check in Chicago revealed no such person. The article also includes an explanation from "Ro ph Telano," known to B. S. R. A. readers, suggesting these messages are point-to-point communications intended for specific individuals on Earth working with extraterrestrial operators as observers. These individuals might use Earth names or strange-sounding names to avoid curiosity. The messages are reportedly sent on a particular band, often coded, and sometimes sound like tape-recorded messages rather than actual Morse code. The transmission is described as being on a wide band but narrow in direction, beamed directly to the intended recipient.

Radio Signals from Space

Scientists are noted to be interested in high-frequency radio signals from outer space, with many originating from "radio stars" identified as hydrogen gas clouds. However, signals have also been detected from areas where no known stars exist. Karl G. Jansky of Bell Telephone Laboratories is credited as the first to detect radio signals originating from the moon, with these signals appearing to come from beneath the lunar surface, suggesting a natural phenomenon for inhabitants living underground. Developments in radio telescopes, including the new Harvard radio telescope, are expected to help determine if these signals are artificial and potentially lead to contact with outer space.

Federal Communications Commission Inquiry

An inquiry was made to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding alleged government suppression of radio contact with saucers. The FCC, through secretary Mary Jane Morris, responded to Mr. Neal Kearney of Maquoketa, Iowa, stating that the Commission had not advised anyone to make or not make any statement on the matter.

From the Little Listening Post

This section discusses the account of scientist Dan Frye and his "saucer ride," suggesting a dual nature to saucer phenomena, partly involving 3rd and 4th dimensions. Frye's experience was objective, yet the voice he heard seemed to come from inside his head. The saucer was described as "remotely controled." This is compared to an episode in the "CSI Bulletin" where a scientist had a saucer hover near him, causing a profound spiritual effect that changed his personality. The section also mentions an upcoming gerontology conference at the University of Michigan, focusing on the problem of decrepitude and the need for education regarding aging.

Sheriff "Kills" Monster

A brief report details how Sheriff J. C. McCool of Guthrie County, Iowa, quickly resolved a hoax involving a "web-footed man-monster." Young men from Guthrie Center created the illusion, using swimmer's fins and chicken parts, which was then witnessed by a non-official group before being debunked.

This N' That

This section contains several short, miscellaneous reports:

• Six metal workers in Peary, Ark., witnessed a gleaming white ball, about 10 feet in diameter, floating 50 feet above a house. The object appeared oblong and spherical, floating systematically before stopping and resuming its circling. A witness, Lesse Weatherford, stated it nearly hit him and felt no heat or sound from it.
• An amateur astronomer claims to have observed an artificial highway built across the Picolomina Crater on the Moon.
• A Hiroshima businessman, Mitsuma Yoshikawa, stated that drinking large amounts of Japanese Sake wine counteracted the effects of atomic radiation from the world's first atom bombing, leading to his recovery.

Television Signal Anomaly

A report describes a Texas television station's signal, KLEE-TV, being seen on a TV screen in London, England, by Charles W. Bratley. This occurred three years after the call letters were discontinued by a Houston station. The signal was also seen by engineers at Atlantic Electronics, Ltd., in Lancaster, England. A world-wide check confirmed that no other station used the KLEE-TV call letters, and staff members identified the signals as matching their standard call-letter slide.

Convention Report

A correspondent writing about a convention at Giant Rock, sponsored by Van Tassel, described the event as resembling a "side show of a fair." However, the correspondent noted that it proved the public was accepting of the Flying Saucers topic and was curious and interested, countering claims of general panic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, particularly UFO sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a consistent focus on eyewitness accounts, scientific investigations (or lack thereof), and the potential implications for humanity. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without necessarily endorsing them, but encouraging further investigation and consideration of these phenomena. The magazine also touches upon broader societal concerns such as aging and the impact of atomic events, framing them within the context of scientific advancement and the unknown.