Saucer News - Whole Number 33 - Vol 05 No 06 - 1958 10-11

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: VOLUME 5, NUMBER 6 (Whole Number 33)
Date: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1958
Publisher: THE SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, dated October-November 1958, focuses heavily on the internal controversies and external perceptions of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) and its director, Major Donald E. Keyhoe. It also features articles investigating a reported UFO crash and exploring the biological possibilities of extraterrestrial life.

Letters to the Editor

The "Letters to the Editor" section is a significant portion of this issue, reflecting a lively debate and diverse opinions within the UFO community.

• Mrs. Benita L. Mitchell comments on an article about the "WGN Code," agreeing with the idea of selective transmission and referencing Nikola Tesla's inventions. She urges Dr. Davidson to focus on proving phenomena rather than discrediting them.
• Max Miller, Editor of "Saucers," expresses enjoyment of the issue but disagrees with a premature conclusion regarding a CIA panel's findings, stating it's clear they rejected the existence of UFOs.
• Marie M. Jenkins critically analyzes Justin Case's article "You Too Can See a Flying Saucer." She questions the sanity and motives of pilots reporting UFOs, suggesting they might be deluded, self-hypnotized, or seeking fame, and sarcastically asks about the source of their alleged "imaginary dream world" or potential drug use.
• Justin Case responds to criticisms of his article, clarifying that he did not imply all UFO sightings were by deluded people but rather sought to explain the psychological basis for some, including "contact" stories.
• Major Donald E. Keyhoe, Director of NICAP, refutes a claim by George Adamski that he is an honorary member of NICAP, stating the organization has no honorary members and that Adamski's claims are under investigation.
• Lonzo Dove details his experience with his manuscript "Exposing Highlights of the Adamski Photographs." He claims his manuscript was sent to NICAP via an associate editor but was never acknowledged, suggesting it was suppressed by individuals loyal to Adamski and the NICAP Secretary, Rose Hackett.
• Howard Neuberger, former co-editor of "Cosmic News," declares his belief that saucers originate from Earth and criticizes figures like Adamski and Angelucci.
• Richard Ogden denies writing the "Mr. X" letter published in a previous issue, which threatened a libel suit against SAUCER NEWS on behalf of Adamski. He questions the magazine's evidence for attributing the letter to him and suggests Adamski himself has grounds for a libel suit.
• Major Donald E. Keyhoe responds to an article about NICAP, stating he needs to read it more carefully but feels he was unfairly portrayed regarding claims made by Mr. Townsend Brown. He clarifies NICAP's membership structure and financial situation, noting that despite a large membership, there's a financial shortage.
• Alexander D. Mebane praises the NICAP article, calling it sensible, and expresses concern that NICAP's failure would be a catastrophe.
• Ruth Netherton recounts a negative experience with NICAP, finding "crackpots" when trying to start a local chapter and being disillusioned when NICAP planned to sell "contact" books.
• John Ketelawich commends SAUCER NEWS for its courage in attacking "that bunch" (NICAP), calling it the only magazine with the guts to speak its mind.

An editor's note clarifies that the NICAP article was based on NICAP's own publications and not provided by anyone associated with NICAP. It also questions NICAP's financial situation, noting that with over 3,000 members paying at least $7.50 each, a significant amount should be in the treasury, contrasting it with SAUCER NEWS's own financial struggles.

Feature Articles

The Case of the Crashed UFO

Written by Bob Barry, this article investigates a reported UFO crash in the vicinity of Coudersport and Emporium, Pennsylvania, between September 1949 and January 1951. Police Chief George Finger initially brought the incident to Barry's attention. The object was said to have sheared off tree tops, and the U.S. Army reportedly arrived with trucks to collect it. Barry's investigation involved contacting local newspapers and individuals.

• The editor of the Cameron County Press Independent reported a weather balloon found near Keating Summit on October 13, 1950, described as having six panels, covered in aluminum or lead foil, with batteries and a light bulb. This equipment was turned over to the Air Force.
• A reporter for the Bradford Era, Bert Freed, did not recall the incident but suggested contacting Katherine Dorfeld.
• Mrs. Dorfeld remembered the incident, stating two children found the object, which had printing on it instructing the finder to return it to the U.S. Government. She also mentioned that the U.S. Government came to the area and closed news sources.
• Joseph E. Phelps, who allegedly heard a noise and an explosion, initially claimed the object was metal and that Army suppression was bunk. However, upon further questioning, he stated he was in the crowd at Keating Summit but had nothing worthwhile to share, fearing he might get fired from his job with a firm working for the Signal Corps.
• Barry notes that Cliff Stuckey, who found the weather balloon, was also present. He expresses puzzlement as to why Phelps did not clarify Mrs. Dorfeld's account if it was incorrect.

How Much Like Us?

Authored by Justin Case, this article examines the likelihood of extraterrestrial visitors resembling humans. It begins by referencing an article by rocket expert Willy Ley in "This Week" magazine, which suggested that alien visitors might have a strong resemblance to humans, weighing between 40 and 250 pounds, and originating from planets similar to Earth.

Case then delves into the science of Biology and Evolution to counter Ley's hypothesis. He outlines several principles:

1. Variety of Life: Earth exhibits an almost limitless variety of vegetable and animal life.
2. Persistence of Life: Life is tenacious and can exist under extreme conditions.
3. Diverse Evolutionary Paths: Nature takes many different paths for survival, often accidentally, leading to adaptation or extinction.
4. Accidental Evolution: The development of life, including humans, is partly accidental, making a precise duplication of conditions unlikely.
5. Human Evolution: Humans, capable of space flight, are the product of a very long and complex evolutionary process influenced by unique biological and physical conditions. The chances of these exact conditions being duplicated on another planet to produce a similar intelligent species are infinitesimally small.

Therefore, Case concludes that it is much more probable that alien visitors would be significantly different from humans, possibly stranger than science fiction writers have imagined, rather than closely resembling the "man next door."

The article is accompanied by three illustrations: one depicting a missile, another showing a security check for "Earth Missiles" and an "Unidentified Flying Object," and a third with a rocket labeled "EXPLORER II."

The Air Force Position on Flying Saucers

This article, by Major Lawrence J. Tacker, USAF, is mentioned in the table of contents but not fully transcribed in the provided pages. Based on a letter to the editor, it appears to suggest that the Air Force views pilots reporting UFOs as potentially "deluded, self-hypnotized, hallucinated and day dreaming," and that investigating sightings is costly.

Book Review

• UFO's Confidential (Williamson & McCoy) is reviewed by James Moseley, with the review appearing on page 13.

Photographs

Two photographs are presented on page 10:

• The photo on the left was taken by Karl Magnusson in Iceland during the solar eclipse of June 30, 1954, and is described as one of a series of saucer pictures.
• The photo on the right was taken in April 1958 at Southend-on-Sea, Sussex, England, by an anonymous individual. The saucer was reportedly traveling at a moderate speed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SAUCER NEWS demonstrates a critical and investigative stance. The magazine actively encourages reader participation through its "Letters to the Editor" section, which serves as a forum for debate and opinion within the UFO community. The editorial team appears to be independent and willing to challenge established organizations like NICAP and figures within the UFO field, such as George Adamski. There is a clear emphasis on presenting factual accounts and analyzing phenomena through logical reasoning, as seen in Justin Case's article on evolution and alien life. The magazine also seems to be in a precarious financial position, as hinted at by the discussions surrounding NICAP's funding and the advertisements for back issues and newsletter subscriptions. The overall tone is one of seeking truth and exposing what the editors perceive as misinformation or suppression within the UFO subject.

SAUCER NEWS, Issue 11, presents a multifaceted look at the flying saucer phenomenon, with a strong emphasis on the official stance of the U.S. Air Force and critical reviews of contemporary UFO literature. The issue is characterized by its commitment to publishing articles of public interest, even if not fully aligned with the publication's editorial views, as stated in the Editor's Note.

The Air Force Position on Flying Saucers by Major Lawrence J. Tacker, USAF

Major Tacker's article aims to clarify the Air Force's position and address public misconceptions regarding flying saucer investigations. He begins by stating that the complete Formal Report of the Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects, which convened in January 1953, has not been fully declassified for security reasons and is not available to the public. Tacker disputes specific recommendations attributed to the Panel in Captain Ruppelt's book, "The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects," particularly those suggesting the expansion of Project Blue Book and the public disclosure of all investigation details. He notes that while the Formal Report itself is classified, unofficial classified supplements contain comments and suggestions from Panel members.

These minutes, according to Tacker, indicate that the Panel generally concluded that due to a lack of authenticated evidence, an educational training program to debunk the existence of interplanetary spacecraft was necessary. Captain Ruppelt, as an interviewee, had unofficially proposed teams to analyze sightings, which Tacker suggests Ruppelt may have been referring to in his book. The minutes also acknowledge that clear explanations for sightings were often impossible due to witness brevity and the effort required to solve most cases, unless it benefited a training program. The Panel endorsed the scientific method of the sighter proving their point.

Tacker asserts that the Air Force cannot compete with science-fiction writers and believes the investigation is in responsible hands with an adequate, thorough, and honest program. He addresses a segment of the public who believe the Air Force is withholding information and demands Congressional hearings. He explains that the Air Force publicizes its conclusions and evaluation processes but does not furnish material to the numerous UFO organizations, as this would encourage sensational claims. The press release approach is used to avoid showing partiality and to prevent the appearance of endorsing specific claims.

Information is withheld not to deprive the public but primarily to protect individuals from idle curiosity and, in limited cases, to avoid compromising investigations or for legitimate security reasons. Tacker argues that diverting resources to an enlarged UFO investigation program would jeopardize national security against known threats from potential enemies, allowing sensation seekers to dictate defense policies.

The Air Force acknowledges that unknown objects have been seen but questions their interpretation. Investigations over the past decade have led to the conclusion that these objects are not space craft and do not constitute a threat. While UFOs can be considered from outer space as an act of faith, there is no authenticated scientific evidence to support this.

Book Review: UFO's CONFIDENTIAL by George Hunt Williamson and John McCoy

Reviewed by James W. Moseley, this book is described as more readable and rational than Williamson's previous work, "Other Tongues, Other Flesh." The first half, by Williamson, introduces Laimon Streeter, the mysterious "Mr. R." from "The Saucers Speak." Williamson claims Streeter left his body for eight days in 1950 for an astral visit to another planet and was visited by CAA and FCC agents who confirmed radio contacts with spacemen but insisted on secrecy. Williamson's claims are presented as difficult to verify, especially since Streeter died in 1955.

Williamson then discusses the "Silence Group" and "International Bankers," a supposed world government controlling money and creating depressions and prosperity. He references Gray Barker's "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers" and appears to endorse Fascist and anti-Semitic views, citing "Our Secret Government" and naming figures like Bernard Baruch, Felix Frankfurter, and Herbert Lehman as part of a "Great Conspiracy."

Williamson concludes that Al Bender discovered Earth is on a collision course with the sun and that saucers are here for an evacuation. However, he later states there is nothing to worry about, predicting only "violent storms." The article suggests that the world is entering an era of "cosmic dust" and a "New Age" of peace.

The second half, by John McCoy, details this "New Age" philosophy. McCoy describes scientists working quietly with spacemen aboard mother ships. He then launches an attack on capitalism, science, education, and government, introducing a "third force" of evil spacemen who wish to exploit Earth's resources, requiring annihilation of the population. However, he reassures readers that good spacemen will overcome the evil ones.

McCoy explains hoaxes and exaggerations in contactee stories, suggesting that only information one likes and agrees with should be considered genuine. The review notes that McCoy dismisses the truthfulness of contactees, stating, "Whether the space people are here or not makes no difference. Whether the contactees are telling the truth or not makes no difference...."

Dr. Jung Misquoted by APRO

This section addresses a statement attributed to Dr. Carl Jung by a New Mexico organization called APRO. The statement, supposedly supporting the extraterrestrial origin of saucers, is revealed to be a cut-down and edited version of a story from England's "Flying Saucer Review," which was a translation of a German-language Swiss magazine article from 1954. The article clarifies that Dr. Jung does not believe in interplanetary spacecraft. In a 1957 interview, Jung called flying saucers a new "savior myth" and a subconscious reaction to global political fears, suggesting that the idea of saucers containing helpful creatures reflects the observer's own desire for assistance.

SAUCER BRIEFS

This section provides several short news items:

• A quote from Brazil's "UFO Critical Bulletin" warns against "anti-Galileo scientists" like Donald Menzel and Lincoln La Paz who allegedly aim to discredit extraterrestrial UFO research.
• Roger Pierce's "UFO Hotwire" has ceased publication, as has the CSI Newsletter since December 1957.
• The SAUCER NEWS editor appeared on the Long John Party Line radio program, debating Lester del Rey.
• A report on Howard Menger's saucer convention is forthcoming.
• Gray Barker is reportedly planning a new series of smears against the editor.
• William D. Pelley is still active with his "Soulcraft" organization, promoting "Ultravision," which involves recordings of voices of departed souls, including historical figures.
• Recent UFO sightings are described as "almost non-existent" during the past summer, but a few notable ones are mentioned:
• A UFO resembling a "ball of fire" with a tail was seen in Selma, Alabama.
• An American scientist suggested large metal satellites could mitigate radiation.
• Sightings of glowing balls were reported in northern New Jersey.
• A flaming red ball-shaped object was seen near Lake Arthur, Louisiana.
• A mysterious fireball was observed over Detroit, Michigan, for nearly four hours.
• Fishermen in Italy found a large mammoth skull.
• Prof. Jason J. Nassau and other astronomers saw a saucer while observing the Sputnik rocket carrier.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the official government (specifically Air Force) stance on UFOs, the perceived secrecy and withholding of information, and the critical examination of UFO literature and claims. The magazine, while publishing articles like Major Tacker's that present an official viewpoint, also engages in critical reviews and debunks sensationalist claims, as seen in the book reviews and the clarification of Dr. Jung's statements. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a focus on rigorous investigation, while acknowledging the public's interest in the phenomenon. There is a clear distinction made between scientific evidence and speculative theories or 'faith-based' beliefs regarding UFOs.