Saucer News - Whole Number 44 - Vol 08 No 02 - 1961 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: VOLUME 8, NUMBER 2 (Whole Number 44)
Date: JUNE 1961
Publisher: Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.)
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, published quarterly, presents a mix of editorial commentary, news reports, feature articles, and a movie review, all centered around the topic of UFOs and related phenomena. The magazine emphasizes its long-standing commitment to printing all sides of controversies and maintaining an open-door policy for contributors, contrasting itself with other organizations that are reportedly struggling.

Editorial

The editorial discusses the impending collapse of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). It attributes NICAP's downfall not to an Air Force plot, but to a combination of factors: an anti-contactee stance that alienated potential donors, scheduling issues with their bulletin, and suspicions aroused by a board heavily laden with military men. The primary reason cited is Donald Keyhoe's inability, after four years, to prove that flying saucers originate from outer space. The editorial criticizes Keyhoe for forming his conclusions prematurely and for refusing to analyze physical evidence from an alleged saucer landing in Wisconsin, suggesting this indicates NICAP is not an unbiased research group. In contrast, SAUCER NEWS, now in its seventh year, claims to be expanding and has opened a new office in New York City, with plans for a lecture series in the fall.

Letters to the Editor

R. E. Palmer and the "Fact" of the Saucer Mystery: Richard Ogden of Seattle, Washington, writes about R. E. Palmer, the "Flying Saucer Man of Wisconsin," who he claims knows the answer to the saucer mystery but is afraid to print it. Ogden refutes Palmer's claims about Admiral Byrd's Antarctic explorations, stating they are based on science fiction rather than fact. Ogden posits that Palmer's "Fact" is part of a five-year plan, linking significant saucer events to Richard Shaver's experiences in 1942, with the next significant year predicted to be 1962.

German V-7 and UFOs: William Neva of Rochester, New York, discusses the German V-7 aircraft and its potential connection to post-World War II saucer sightings. He suggests that many sightings could be test flights of the V-7, possibly remotely controlled or with actual crews. Neva also acknowledges the mystery of sightings predating the V-7 and emphasizes the importance of an open mind and patience, believing that censorship will eventually decrease and more facts will be revealed. He argues that government censorship regarding interplanetary machines is necessary to prevent a societal collapse.

Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow

Reviewed by Fred Broman, this section offers a scathing critique of the film "Edge of Tomorrow." The reviewer describes it as a "hopelessly boring, technically inadequate, poorly photographed hodge-podge of inanities." The film, premiered for "starry-eyed saucer addicts," is criticized for its lack of value, poor production quality, and an unconvincing portrayal of a space encounter. The review highlights the alleged contactee, Reinhold O. Schmidt, and his claims, questioning the authenticity of the film's depiction of a Saturnian spaceship and its occupants. The reviewer notes that the film cost $20,000 but questions its value even at that price, concluding that it is only a "must see" for "enthusiasts of flying saucers and Outer Space" as an "experience that will always be remembered."

Feature Articles

Extrasensory Perception - by Justin Case: This article explores the concept of Extrasensory Perception (ESP), defining it as a sixth sense that includes clairvoyance, precognition, and mental telepathy. The author notes that many UFO contactees claim to have been led by ESP and communicated with visitors via mental telepathy. The article summarizes the findings of Professor Joseph B. Rhine of Duke University, who found that ESP is unreliable, with about one in five people having some ESP ability, but only one in a thousand having strong powers. Rhine's research suggests these powers are elusive, uncontrollable, and tend to fade over time. The article then recounts a sensational murder mystery in Virginia where a telepathist named Peter Herkos assisted police. Herkos claimed to identify the killer, leading to the suspect's commitment to a mental institution. However, the suspect was later released, and his wife sued for illegal confinement, highlighting the unreliability of ESP. The author concludes that ESP is rare and uncertain, which is fortunate for humanity, and suggests that experiments with ESP should cease to prevent societal turmoil and bloodshed. The article dismisses claims of powerful ESP abilities by contactees and their visitors as unsubstantiated.

Don't Just Brush Away Bad Thought Waves - by Melvyn Stiriss: This article introduces Andrew Sinatra, known as the "Mystic Barber," who claims to have invented headbands and other devices based on the "science of Moses." Sinatra's inventions, including headbands rigged with wires and tubes, are designed to protect individuals from "undesirable thought waves" and prevent them from hearing voices, thus avoiding classification as insane. Other devices include a headband for telepathic communication with extraterrestrials, a body charger, a water energizer, and a weather-influencing mechanism (which is not for sale due to potential misuse). The article notes that Sinatra's products are custom-made and can be contacted telepathically or by mail. The article also includes information on available back issues of SAUCER NEWS and a large collection of saucer clippings for sale.

Recent News Stories

Saucer Landing in Wisconsin: This report details an incident on April 18th where Joseph Simonton, a chicken farmer in Eagle River, Wisconsin, claimed a silver saucer, approximately 30 feet in diameter and 12 feet thick, landed in his yard. Three men, described as about 5 feet tall and weighing 125 pounds, emerged from the craft. One man requested water, which Simonton provided. The occupants were described as wearing black suits and having smooth faces. Simonton observed the interior of the saucer, noting it was black and contained instrument panels, and that one occupant was frying food on a flameless grill. Simonton was given three pancakes. The saucer then took off rapidly. Local authorities and the Air Force investigated, finding no evidence, though the farmer was deemed sincere. The report mentions that several chickens died on Simonton's farm after the incident. Other less spectacular sightings were reported in the area following this event.

Physical Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life: This brief section notes that two sensational scientific discoveries may provide direct physical proof of life on other planets. It references an article in Life Magazine and mentions a previous abortive attempt by the research group APRO to produce such evidence, which was deemed inconclusive. It also mentions that three chemists presented a paper to the New York Academy of Sciences explaining how they had analyzed something, but the details are cut off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include skepticism towards established UFO organizations like NICAP, a critical examination of claims related to psychic phenomena (ESP), and a cautious approach to sensational UFO reports. The editorial stance is one of independence, emphasizing SAUCER NEWS's commitment to presenting diverse viewpoints without affiliation to military or governmental bodies. The magazine positions itself as a reliable source of information, contrasting its stability and growth with the perceived decline of other UFO groups. There is a consistent theme of questioning unsubstantiated claims, particularly those involving contactees and extraordinary psychic abilities, while remaining open to investigating reported phenomena.

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, Volume 3, Number 4, dated April-May 1956, is published by Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York. It delves into scientific discoveries and ongoing UFO-related news and discussions.

Organic Compounds in Meteorites and the Question of Life

The issue begins by discussing a meteorite that fell in France 97 years ago. Scientists initially surmised that the organic compounds found within it, identified as complex waxlike hydrocarbons similar to terrestrial chemical fossils, were created by living plants or animals. While met with skepticism, the findings were significant because chemists knew of no non-life process outside the laboratory that could create such complex compounds. The team behind the discovery, after facing criticism, presented further proof, stating that the odds against these compounds being made randomly by non-living processes are "in the magnitude of a billion to one." This has led to less critical reactions from other scientists, with Brian Mason of the American Museum of Natural History describing his stance as "no longer skeptical, just cautious."

Further contributing to the discussion, two other scientists independently found wiggling particles, resembling bacteria, in sterile solutions after pulverizing a germ-free meteorite. These particles were unlike usual terrestrial bacteria. While the possibility of a non-animal motion caused by molecular collisions or a previously unknown terrestrial species was considered, the scientific community is divided on whether bacteria can survive a space trip on a meteorite, which could last hundreds of thousands of years. Some believe bacteria are incredibly resilient, citing examples of survival inside nuclear reactors and deep oil wells, while others argue that the extreme cold of outer space would prevent necessary protoplasm repair. This group suggests that bacteria found in such environments are likely interlopers. The existence of life on meteorites would necessitate a rewriting of scientific theory, implying that simple life forms may have evolved on other planets as early as on Earth, and that planets in the asteroid belt may have once had climates hospitable to life, possibly even oceans.

Saucer Briefs

This section provides updates on notable figures and organizations in the UFO community:

• Dr. Carl Gustav Jung: The renowned psychiatrist, a founder of modern psychiatry, died at age 85. In 1959, he authored "Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth," which emphasized the psychological implications of saucer sightings over their reality.
• Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York: Once a prominent group, it is now reported to be defunct, with no public meetings planned for over a year.
• Major Wayne Aho: The saucer lecturer, who had been confined to a mental hospital, has been released and returned to his home in Toledo, Ohio. Details of the events leading to his confinement are available in their Confidential Newsletter #13.
• Air Force Spokesperson: Major William Coleman has replaced Lt. Col. Laurence J. Tacker as the Air Force's official spokesperson on UFOs. A conversation with Major Coleman suggests a potential shift towards more public information from the Air Force.
• Edward J. Ruppelt: The author of "The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects" has died of a heart attack. His book was previously reviewed by SAUCER NEWS, and a recently acquired expanded second edition, including three new chapters, is discussed. The publication defends Ruppelt against accusations of being pressured to adopt an anti-saucer stance, noting that while he makes some critical remarks about Major Keyhoe, the overall tone remains consistent.

News Briefs

This segment covers various other UFO-related news items:

• House Space Committee Investigations: Chairman Overton Brooks plans for the House Space Committee to hold investigations into UFOs, with a subcommittee to hear witnesses. Congressman Joseph E. Karth will lead this subcommittee, with Congressman Perkins Bass also named as a member. The decision on whether these sessions will be public or secret was pending, as Chairman Brooks expressed concerns that public testimony might "contribute to national alarm."
• Wheaton, Illinois Sighting: A 19-year-old youth named Barry Stark reported seeing a tear-shaped object speeding from north to south. The object stopped, moved east and west three times, and then went off to the southeast, described as moving with its "blunt end forward" and exhibiting flashing white lights.
• Loch Ness Monster: A new book published in England, "Loch Ness Fact and Monstrous Fancy," asserts the strong existence of the Loch Ness Monster.
• Oregon Sighting: A red ball of fire, trailing smoke, was observed in Oregon at dusk on May 19th. Described by one observer as brighter than the moon, the object was seen as far away as Canada and California.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of potential extraterrestrial life, the resilience of life in extreme conditions, and the ongoing public and governmental interest in UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, presenting scientific findings and UFO reports while acknowledging skepticism and encouraging further investigation. The publication seems to support the idea that UFOs warrant serious study, as evidenced by their recommendation of Ruppelt's book and their coverage of the planned congressional hearings.