Saucer News - Whole Number 51 - Vol 10 No 01 - 1963 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: Volume 10, Number 1 (Whole Number 51)
Date: March 1963
Publisher: Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, starting its tenth year of publication, is the official publication of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society. It features a prominent photograph of Albert K. Bender, described as "Saucerdom's 'Man of Mystery,'" who directed the International Flying Saucer Bureau before its mysterious closure in 1953. The cover headline announces the start of the publication's tenth year.

Contents of This Issue

The issue includes "Letters to the Editor," "Recent News Stories," and several "Book Reviews." The book reviews cover "Flying Saucers and the Three Men" by Albert K. Bender, "Flying Saucers and Space Men" by John H. Manas, and "The Books of Charles Fort." A feature article, "A New Inquiry into the Flying Saucer Mystery (Part Two)" by Thomas M. Comella, is also presented.

The editorial staff includes James W. Moseley as Editor, John J. Robinson as Assistant Editor, Ted Hunt as Managing Editor, Bryan Essenhigh as Overseas Editor, and Gladys Fusaro, Sandy Moseley, and Melvyn Stiriss as Associate Editors. The subscription price is $2.00 for six quarterly issues.

Letters to the Editor

Several readers express their views:

• Jeanne O'Neil writes about her experience with Albert K. Bender, stating that he edited her story significantly and that she prefers Mr. Moseley's approach as less commercial. She also mentions a visit to Mr. Barker in Clarksburg.
• Timothy Green Beckley expresses disappointment with NICAP, suggesting it lacks a proper filing system and cannot be trusted with information from other UFO groups, citing a lack of response to his requests.
• Herbert Taylor strongly criticizes the magazine's stance on UFOs, defending NICAP and Major Keyhoe, and accusing SAUCER NEWS of defending the Air Force's position and disseminating "phony propaganda."
• Irving Sanford supports SAUCER NEWS's opposition to Major Keyhoe's extreme position and its presentation of the Air Force's side, suggesting one can believe in flying saucers without endorsing "UFO Investigator" policies.
• Richard Ogden explains the delay in the publication of his book, "The Second Coming of Christ and Flying Saucers," due to legal advice concerning its criticism of the U.S. Government and the FBI, and the potential for libel suits. He plans a simultaneous release to avoid confiscation.

Book Reviews

• "Flying Saucers and the Three Men" by Albert K. Bender (Reviewed by James W. Moseley): This review discusses Bender's book, which details the closing of his International Flying Saucer Bureau in 1953. The book recounts Bender's experiences, including telepathic messages, a sudden headache, a bluish glow, and the odor of sulfur. It also describes an alleged astral projection to Antarctica and encounters with "Three Men in Black." The reviewer, James W. Moseley, expresses skepticism about the objective reality of Bender's experiences, suggesting the story is not true in a purely objective sense, but finds the book entertaining and a "classic" in UFO literature. He also notes that Gray Barker, who wrote "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers," has published another book, "The Bender Mystery Confirmed."

• "Flying Saucers and Space Men" by John H. Manas (Reviewed by James W. Moseley): This book is described as unusual, with the author holding numerous degrees. The review notes that the book attempts to disprove the existence of physical spaceships from other planets, quoting selectively and ignoring authentic sightings. It criticizes the book for its "blunders and errors" and its reliance on metaphysical doctrines like reincarnation and astral planes. The reviewer finds Dr. Manas's arguments to be unconvincing and suggests avoiding the book if one is already confused by the saucer mystery.

• "The Books of Charles Fort" (Reviewed by Justin Case): This review discusses the compilation of Charles Fort's work, which collected data on strange phenomena. The reviewer notes that Fort's collection is extensive but includes both reliable and unreliable sources without distinction. The review criticizes Fort for attacking science and scientists, suggesting he pulls others down to his own level rather than building himself up. While acknowledging Fort's data collection as valuable, the review dismisses much of his writing as "froth" and unintelligible, calling him an "idol of clay."

Feature Article

• "A New Inquiry into the Flying Saucer Mystery (Part Two)" by Thomas M. Comella: This article, a sequel to a previous one, posits that a re-appraisal of the saucer mystery is overdue due to a lack of concrete results after sixteen years. Comella introduces a new perspective, questioning the fundamental assumptions that UFOs are physical, exhibit intelligence, and are revolutionary craft. He suggests that these characteristics might be "a priori constructs of our own minds" imposed on the phenomena. The article proposes that experiences should be viewed as diverse expressions of a single underlying reality, where individuals unconsciously invent mental frameworks to understand alien realities, making these experiences symbolic rather than literal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue reflects a critical yet engaged stance on the UFO phenomenon. The editors of SAUCER NEWS appear to favor a more grounded, evidence-based approach, as evidenced by their skeptical review of Albert K. Bender's book and their critical assessment of John H. Manas's work. They are willing to question established UFO research organizations like NICAP and engage with controversial figures like Bender, but maintain a discerning perspective. The magazine seems to be a platform for diverse viewpoints, as shown by the contrasting opinions in the "Letters to the Editor," yet the editorial content leans towards a cautious, analytical approach to the mystery, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions while providing critical reviews.

The recurring themes include the nature of UFO evidence, the reliability of research organizations, the role of skepticism versus belief, and the interpretation of anomalous phenomena. The magazine appears to be a significant voice in the UFO community, offering analysis and critique of books and theories within the field.

This issue of SAUCER NEWS, identified as issue number 11, delves into the multifaceted nature of saucer phenomena, positing that it involves both a physical and a psychic component. The publication argues against excluding the psychic aspect, suggesting that such an exclusion stems from a prevalent and unjustifiable prejudice. It highlights that sincerity in reporting incredible experiences is not limited to specific professions and that highly trained minds might overlook the psychic elements due to their regimented thinking.

The Psychic Component of Saucer Phenomena

The central thesis presented is that the saucer mystery cannot be fully understood by focusing solely on its physical manifestations. The analogy of three blind men describing an elephant is used to illustrate how focusing on only one aspect leads to incomplete and divergent conclusions. The issue contends that theories, while useful for experimental and mathematical analysis, are abstractions and should not be confused with the experiences themselves. It emphasizes that the reality of saucer phenomena is independent of our analyses and that their psychic component cannot be rationalized away.

An objection is raised regarding the idea that individuals with psychic experiences are 'sick' and should see a psychiatrist. The publication counters that this objection comes from an undisciplined mind, as it assumes psychology and psychiatry have fully explained all psychic phenomena, which betrays a lack of understanding of scientific theory. Experience is presented as the most direct encounter with reality.

Endorsement of Contact Claims and Fortean Phenomena

While not explicitly endorsing all contact claims or specific Fortean phenomena, the issue recognizes them as integral parts of the saucer mystery, alongside conventional sightings of unidentified flying objects. It acknowledges that some contact claims are fraudulent but argues that this does not invalidate all such claims. The text suggests that contact claims and Fortean incidents should be evaluated in a new light, considering the possibility that individuals may be telling the truth as they know it, or may have knowingly created a more conventional story to avoid ridicule.

Unconventional Solutions and the Nature of Reality

The issue strongly concludes that no conventional solution to the saucer mystery is expected. Those anticipating a physical saucer landing or direct government contact will likely be disappointed. The prevalent notion of a 'human space man' is suggested to be an unconscious vehicle of expression attempting to crystallize an elusive reality within human understanding. Encounters with such beings might not be hoaxes or meetings with extraterrestrials but rather human experiences of something that is not human.

The re-appraisal of the saucer problem is described as 'fantastic' or 'unusual' because it attempts to formulate all facts for the first time. The assembled facts reveal not a pattern of intelligently directed spaceships but an 'incredibly alien, almost ungraspable reality' experienced psychically and physically. The text dismisses the idea of placing 'space visitors' in a 'fourth dimension' as a simplistic solution. It asserts that any attempt to visualize this reality in human terms would be symbolic. The issue suggests that this predicament might be an affront to human reason but is preferable to inventing an escape that lacks integrity.

Furthermore, the saucer mystery is presented as involving not only a phenomenal manifestation into the physical world but also an intervention upon consciousness. A question is posed whether saucers have only recently appeared or if humanity has only recently become conscious of them. The phenomenon is described as likely beyond the human order of things, and investigators are portrayed as not just explaining it but actively participating in it.

Recent News Stories

This section compiles several brief reports of alleged UFO and strange phenomena from around the world:

• Italy: A policeman in Milan reported seeing a flying saucer with two humanoids inside, described as three feet tall, dressed in luminous clothing with black helmets. The saucer then departed vertically.
• Argentina: The 'big saucer flap' continues, with a sighting near Buenos Aires where a Panagra airliner and another plane observed a strange light, described as 'the color of fire, and of great brightness,' which hovered and then sped away.
• Seattle, Washington: A mystery object exploded into a dark red ball of fire, landing in mud and water, and covering the area with thick smoke.
• Kenya, Africa: A flying saucer three times the apparent size of the full moon was seen moving very rapidly across the sky by three whites and numerous African natives.
• North Carolina: A nuclear physicist noted that North Carolina had a close call in 1960 from a jettisoned nuclear bomb that nearly detonated, with only a single switch preventing its explosion.
• Riverside, California: A mysterious flaming object fell onto a roof, causing a small fire. After the fire was extinguished, the object resembled a chunk of clear plastic, about the size of a basketball.
• Mexico: John Hart claims to have seen flying saucers at close range during expeditions to a remote mountain area in southern Mexico, describing brightly-lit spherical objects hovering near Mayan ruins.
• Woburn, Massachusetts: A carpenter reported a close daylight sighting of a UFO estimated to be 40 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 15 feet high. It was golden orange, flat on the bottom, with a black band and a projection hanging from its bottom. The site showed a slightly abnormal amount of background radiation.
• Canada: A 400-pound glass fiber object with a rotting parachute was recovered from a wooded area in New Brunswick. Additionally, two women reported seeing a serpent-like creature, described as horse-sized with camel-like features and exaggerated lips, off the west coast of Canada near Nanaimo.

Historical References and Scientific Speculation

The issue includes a curious note about Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" (published 1735), which accurately describes the two satellites of Mars, officially discovered in 1877. This is presented as a startling coincidence, prompting readers to share information on current figures related to these satellites.

Editorial and Subscription Information

The latter part of the magazine provides information on available back issues of SAUCER NEWS, with specific issues highlighted for their content (e.g., the Special Adamski Expose Issue). It also details how to subscribe to a special, irregularly issued Confidential Newsletter for subscribers who want access to 'too hot to handle' material. Contact information for subscribers in the New York area interested in attending discussion and lecture meetings is provided.

An advertisement for the Interplanetary News Service (INS) encourages readers to join their organization, highlighting their bi-monthly bulletin which covers the latest news of flying saucers and related phenomena. INS claims to collect data scientifically, without bias, and has investigated UFOs, angel hair, and fireballs. Notable figures associated with INS include James Moseley, Gray Barker, George D. Fawcett, Gene Duplantier, and Rev. Guy J. Cyr. Timothy Green Beckley is listed as the Director.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the dual physical and psychic nature of UFO phenomena, the limitations of conventional scientific approaches to understanding such events, and the presentation of diverse, often unverified, reports of sightings and encounters from around the globe. The editorial stance appears to be one that advocates for an open-minded, yet critical, investigation into these phenomena, acknowledging their potential to challenge existing paradigms of reality and consciousness. There is a clear emphasis on the idea that the saucer mystery is not merely an external event to be observed but an experience that involves the observer's consciousness, suggesting a participatory role for humanity in the phenomenon itself.