Saucer News - Whole Number 26 - Vol 04 No 06 - 1957 10-11

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: VOLUME 4, NUMBER 6 (Whole Number 26)
Date: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1957
Publisher: The Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, the official publication of The Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society, features a prominent photograph on its cover, identified as having been taken recently in Brazil by a Japanese photographer, though it is believed by some to be a fake. The issue includes a table of contents listing editorials, letters to the editor, recent news stories, book reviews, and feature articles.

Editorials

The editorials address a "vicious hoax letter" previously published in "Saucer News" and subsequently in Mr. Gray Barker's "Saucerian Bulletin." This anonymous letter alleged that James W. Moseley, the editor of SAUCER NEWS, was an Air Force agent. The editorial reports on the public interest and comments stirred by this letter. It mentions Howard Neuberger, co-editor of "Cosmic News," who wrote that the hoax letter was untrue but written by Moseley himself, based on typing style similarities. The SAUCER NEWS investigation concluded the letter was an imitation. The editorial also quotes Lee Munsick from his "UFO Newsletter," who defended Moseley against claims of being a military stooge and addressed his business connections in Peru and appearances in Miami.

Book Reviews

The Expanding Case for the UFO by M. K. Jessup:
Reviewed by James W. Moseley, this book is described as poorly organized and confusing, divided into four parts covering Fortean data, artificial satellites, lunar observations, and the "little men" hypothesis. Moseley finds Jessup's "little men" theory, suggesting they are descendants of ancient pygmies who built ancient fortresses, largely unsubstantiated. He criticizes Jessup for not clearly linking Earth pygmies to "little men" or to each other, despite Jessup's scientific background. Moseley suggests Jessup should focus on developing one point fully rather than scattering his efforts.

The Inexplicable Sky by Arthur Constance:
Reviewed by James W. Moseley, this British import is praised for its convincing demonstration that flying saucers are not the only unexplained sky phenomenon. Constance covers meteorites, falling fluids, fireballs, aurora borealis, and saucers, drawing from a vast collection of books and clippings. The reviewer agrees with Constance that scientists often ignore phenomena that don't fit their theories and can be wrong. However, Moseley strongly criticizes Constance's "extremely intense anti-scientific attitude," deeming it "psychoticly bitter, obviously prejudiced, and largely unjustified." Moseley argues that Constance blames the world's problems on scientists and fails to recognize that science seeks knowledge for its own sake, with its application depending on societal needs. He also points out the irony of Constance benefiting from scientific inventions like telephones and automobiles while attacking science.

Feature Articles

Dr. Davidson and the Secret Weapon Theory by Richard Hall:
Richard Hall, editor of "Satellite," responds to Dr. Leon Davidson's article. Hall commends Davidson for recognizing the problem of identifying UFOs but criticizes his arguments on four points: pre-1947 sightings, tests of disc-like aircraft, the postulated secret agency "ZYA," and his conclusions. Hall provides evidence of pre-1947 sightings, including Swedish "ghost rockets" and a 1926 Altai-Himalaya sighting. He notes that tests on disc-like aircraft were conducted in Germany and the U.S. in the early 1940s. Hall dismisses the "ZYA" agency as a hypothesis lacking evidence and argues that Davidson's interpretation of Pentagon opinions is unwarranted. He concludes that Davidson's argument that secret devices could not be kept secret for ten years is flawed, as is his assertion that the Air Force has not conducted bona fide investigations.

Why Are They Here? (Part One) by Justin Case:
This article is not fully transcribed in the provided pages, but its title suggests an exploration into the origins or purpose of UFOs.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters are included. Mary J. Hyde praises the issue and Dr. Davidson's article. Wilber Roswald congratulates Dr. Davidson on his article, calling it the "best answer" to officialdom's attitude towards flying saucers. Lonzo Dove from Broadway, Virginia, offers a detailed account of his predictions of saucer peaks, claiming to have sent them to the Air Force and Drew Pearson, and suggests that the Air Force might be covering up knowledge that saucers are from Mars. Dove also objects to Dr. Davidson's statement that no one saw disk-shaped craft before 1947, citing historical examples like John Martin's 1878 sighting. Justin Case from Fort Lee, New Jersey, finds Dr. Davidson's article interesting but speculative, defending Ruppelt's book as a sincere record.

Other Content

The issue also includes a note about the Air Force fact sheet no longer being available and offers back issues of SAUCER NEWS for sale. A typographical error in a previous issue is also corrected. The magazine is published bi-monthly in Fort Lee, New Jersey, by the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society, with subscription prices listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFOs: whether they are extraterrestrial, secret human technology, or hoaxes. There is a strong emphasis on debunking false claims and investigating controversies within the UFO community, particularly the "hoax letter" against editor James W. Moseley. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to seek truth and demanding "forthright and unequivocal answers" from officials. The magazine actively engages with and critiques other publications and authors in the field, such as "Saucerian Bulletin," "Cosmic News," and authors like Dr. Leon Davidson and M. K. Jessup, while also promoting its own publications and those of allies like "UFO Newsletter" and "Satellite."

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: 11
Volume: Part I
Date: August 1957
Publisher: SAUCER NEWS
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: WHY ARE THEY HERE?

Article: WHY ARE THEY HERE? - Part I

This article, written by Justin Case, departs from a purely scientific viewpoint to indulge in speculation about the reasons behind flying saucer visits. The author posits that any visitors possessing the intelligence for space flight must have strong motivations for undertaking such journeys.

Five Potential Reasons Explored:

1. To Help Humanity: This popular theory suggests visitors come to solve Earth's problems, asking nothing in return. Case finds this unlikely, arguing that human problems like overpopulation and inadequate food supply are complex, and any offered solutions would likely not be universally accepted. He draws a parallel to national aid efforts, which often result in dislike rather than gratitude, concluding that intelligent visitors would likely refrain from intervening.

2. To Prevent Self-Destruction by Nuclear Bombs: This reason is dismissed due to a perceived lack of understanding of Earth's scale and natural disasters. The author argues that while nuclear bombs are powerful, their effects are minor compared to natural catastrophes like thunderstorms, hurricanes, and earthquakes, which Earth has withstood throughout history. He contends that nature, not man, is more likely to cause ultimate destruction, and that neither humanity nor the planet is in danger from nuclear bombs. Visitors would have little reason to intervene, viewing humanity perhaps as a scientific curiosity.

3. To Prevent Cosmic Imbalance: The idea that Earth's destruction would harm visitors is also rejected. The article states that Earth's mass is insignificant in the solar system, and its explosion would cause barely a ripple. The orbits of Earth and Mars, for instance, are not in the same plane, suggesting little impact on Mars.

4. To Obtain Scarce Materials: This theory is deemed uninformed. The author points out that modern science can already transmute materials, and advanced visitors with significant energy capabilities could easily create any materials they require, making interstellar travel for such purposes impractical.

5. For Exploration and Scientific Study: This is presented as the most plausible reason. If visitors are here for study, they would likely conduct a thorough survey, collect samples of life forms (including humans), and then depart. The article notes that there is some indication of their presence in the past and that they have been observed almost continuously since 1947. If their presence is ongoing, it suggests reasons beyond mere scientific study, which will be discussed in Part II.

Recent News Stories

This section provides brief reports on recent UFO sightings:

• Mysterious Lights in Florida: On August 21st, brilliant unidentified lights were observed in the skies over St. Petersburg and the Gulf beaches, hanging at an estimated altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 feet. Witnesses reported the objects moved west at tremendous speed.
• Two Saucers in New York State: On August 22nd, a Civil Defense lookout post in Olean reported two UFOs visible for an hour. The objects, larger than stars, were white, one slightly larger than the other, and constantly pulsating.

Historical Sighting: Message from Mars Sent Fifty Years Ago?

Reprinted from the August 8, 1957, edition of the Harriman, Tennessee Record, this item originally appeared on January 6, 1898. It describes an incident in Binghampton, New York, where an aerial visitor reportedly buried itself in the ground after a blinding flash of light. The object, dug up later, was a fused mass of foreign substance with curious marks resembling Egyptian writing. Scientists were puzzled, with some suggesting it was a message from another planet, possibly Mars.

Close-Up Saucer Sighting in Wyoming

On August 31st, residents of Thermopolis, Wyoming, reported seeing a "round object as big as a garage and with windows" hovering about ten feet off the ground. The object made no sound and sped off silently and at high speed.

Saucer Seen by Several in Ohio Town

On August 14th, about 15 men in Lima, Ohio, observed a flying saucer at an altitude of about 15,000 feet. Described as a disc about 100 feet in diameter, it made no sound, traveled at high speed, and executed an extremely sharp turn.

Very Close Sighting in Indiana

A woman in Addison Township, Indiana, reported seeing a brightly illuminated flying object descend vertically to within 100 feet of a cornfield on August 18th. The object, described as flat, spherical, about 10 feet in diameter and four feet thick, with colored lights, hovered, made a "clanging noise," and then floated away.

Thousands Report UFO Over Indiana

During the early morning hours of August 7th, thousands of reports came in from across Indiana about a mysterious "something" hovering in the sky and emitting lights. The object was visible for hours at about 8,000 feet, emitting a "whitish-silvery glow" and flashing red and green lights. Its stationary nature dismissed conventional aircraft explanations.

Overseas Round-Up

• England: On June 5th, a ball of fire struck a house in East Harling, Norfolk, causing smoke, burning out a radio, and damaging electrical installations and a rainwater pipe.
• Italy: On June 9th, it rained eels in Piacenza, Italy, supposedly due to a miniature tornado.
• England: On July 15th, an unidentified missile landed in a quarry in Dorset.

Another Close Sighting in Indiana

On August 13th, witnesses in Gary, Indiana, reported seeing a saucer about 300 yards from their lakeside home, floating 40 to 50 feet above the water. Described as two saucers glued together, it had a brilliant white light, was about 60 feet in diameter and 15 feet high, and revolved slowly before vanishing.

Saucer Briefs

• Gray Barker, Roger Pierce, and Howard Neuberger, editors of "Saucerian" and "Cosmic News," attended a science-fiction convention in London.
• A Hollywood studio is considering a motion picture based on "most outstanding contact stories."
• August Roberts, a Photographic Consultant, visited the Pacific Northwest.

Poll Shows Saucers More Popular Than Ever

A recent Trendex News Poll indicated that about one in four Americans believe flying saucers may be interplanetary. Of those polled, 25.3% answered "yes" to the possibility of saucers being extraterrestrial objects, 52.9% said "no," and 21.8% were unsure. The poll also revealed misconceptions about UFOs and government statements. Believers in interplanetary saucers were asked if they were manned by intelligent beings, with a majority responding "yes."

Wright Field Declares Inventor's Saucer Design Practical

Alfred A. Loedding, an aerodynamist at the Wright Air Development Center, has developed a practical saucer design that has interested the armed services. The turtle-shaped aircraft is designed for vertical takeoff and can cruise at over 200 miles per hour, with potential for super-sonic speeds. Loedding envisions a family plane 16 feet wide and 20 feet long, comparable in cost to an automobile. The design utilizes an internal turbine engine with advanced boundary layer control for vertical takeoff and acceleration. Loedding himself reportedly saw a saucer in 1952.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the exploration of the "why" behind UFO phenomena, moving from scientific inquiry to speculative reasoning. The author, Justin Case, adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance, critically evaluating common explanations for UFO visits. He emphasizes logic and dismisses theories lacking empirical support or logical consistency. The magazine, SAUCER NEWS, appears to cover a range of UFO-related topics, from speculative articles and news reports of sightings to historical accounts and technological concepts, reflecting a broad interest in the subject matter. The editorial stance, as exemplified by Case's article, leans towards critical analysis and a preference for plausible explanations, while still acknowledging the possibility of genuine, unexplained phenomena.