Saucer News Non-Scheduled Newsletter - No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: Non-Scheduled Newsletter #2
Date: September 20th, 1958
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: JAMES W. MOSELEY

This non-scheduled newsletter addresses two significant developments that have recently come to the attention of SAUCER NEWS. The information is being disseminated in this format to ensure all subscribers receive it promptly, with a summary to follow in the next regular issue.

Controversy Over the "Mr. X" Letter

The primary focus of this newsletter is the ongoing controversy surrounding a threatening letter signed "Mr. X" that was received by the Headquarters. This letter, which threatened a two million dollar lawsuit for anti-Adamski articles, was initially attributed to Richard Ogden. Ogden denied authorship in a previous letter.

However, a new twist has emerged with a letter from Ogden dated September 9th, in which he identifies Thomas M. Comella of Cleveland, Ohio, as the real author. Ogden's claim is supported by a letter from Comella dated August 29th, which states, "I wrote the letter supposedly from you in Moseley's latest SAUCER NEWS." A photostat of this letter from Comella is in the possession of SAUCER NEWS.

Despite this apparent confession, a complication arises: the original "Mr. X" letter was mailed from Seattle, not Cleveland, suggesting Comella may have had a confederate in Seattle. Furthermore, in a phone interview, Comella reportedly stated, "I read the letter supposedly from you..." rather than "I wrote the letter..." The newsletter suggests that if "wrote" was a typographical error, it was a significant one that changed the meaning drastically, potentially amounting to a confession. However, the context of Comella's letter seems to support his claim that "wrote" was not his intended word.

This shifts suspicion back to Richard Ogden. Ogden, in his September 9th letter, expressed joy at Comella's alleged confession, stating, "No harm was intended, I am sure... for it seems that he (Comella) just wanted to have some good clean fun with you and the whole thing was just a laugh." SAUCER NEWS disagrees with this assessment, calling it "not good clean fun" and emphasizing that they are "not laughing." The newsletter notes that saucerdom has been plagued by a wave of hoax letters recently, including the "notorious Straith affair," indicating that this matter cannot be taken lightly.

If Comella did write the "Mr. X" letter, several questions remain unanswered: how was it mailed from Seattle, how did it logically follow earlier and later letters from Ogden, and why did his alleged confession to Ogden not explain the reason for writing the letter? SAUCER NEWS maintains its opinion from comments following Ogden's letter in the Oct.-Nov. issue.

Further Hoax Letter Investigations

The newsletter suggests that Richard Ogden may also be responsible for the Straith letter and other hoax letters. This is based on information from Newsletter #8, which stated that Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (CSI) concluded that the Straith letter and two other hoax letters mailed around the same time were written on the same typewriter. Initially, CSI pointed to a "well-known saucer researcher living in Clarksburg, West Virginia" (implied to be Gray Barker). However, an official of CSI has denied that their investigations pointed to that specific researcher. CSI's sole conclusion was that the letters were typed on the same machine.

Despite past disagreements between Barker and SAUCER NEWS, the newsletter feels an apology to Barker is in order. The investigation continues, with Ogden remaining the leading suspect for writing these hoax letters. The newsletter emphasizes that anyone capable of writing one hoax letter is capable of writing others, though proof is still lacking.

SAUCER NEWS expresses regret that individuals like Ogden resort to "under-handed and artificial ways of keeping interest in saucers alive." The publication asserts that it prints all important news as it comes in and is sometimes accused of sensationalism, but it does not create news. The editor's reputation was reportedly damaged a year prior by a hoax letter accusing him of being an underground Air Force agent. Other reputable groups have also been attacked. The newsletter calls for an end to these confusing incidents to allow for serious research.

NICAP Staff Changes

In another development, Major Donald E. Keyhoe has reportedly fired Rose Hackett Campbell and Bess Clark from the NICAP staff. According to Keyhoe, the dismissal was due to a difference of opinion regarding the handling of "saucer contact" claims from individuals like Adamski. The policy difference reportedly came to a head over a recent NICAP bulletin that stated the organization would stock and sell all saucer books, including "contact" books.

Keyhoe later claimed that this bulletin was sent out without his knowledge or consent and that NICAP would not be selling contact books after all. SAUCER NEWS believes, though acknowledges it might be wrong, that their article in the Aug.-Sept. SAUCER NEWS, which highlighted NICAP's intended sale of contact books, played a significant role in Keyhoe's decision to "clean house." Further details on this matter are promised for the Dec.-Jan. issue.

Important Notice to Subscribers

The newsletter includes an important notice regarding subscription terms. Subscribers were placed on a mailing list for an indefinite period. Those who paid one dollar in the past year have received five issues starting with #5. Those who subscribed earlier and are still on the list have paid a total of $2.00 and received nine issues starting with #1 in December 1955.

It is now requested that all subscribers who wish to remain on the list send an additional dollar. Exceptions are made for those who have already paid $3.00 (if they started with #1) or $2.00 (if they started with #5), and for honorary members of S.A.U.C.E.R.S.

The notice explains that while this particular issue may be partially reprinted in the regular SAUCER NEWS, most newsletters contain information considered "too hot to handle" and is therefore made available only to newsletter subscribers. The publishers express hope that subscribers will continue their support to receive this important confidential information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are the prevalence of hoax letters within the UFO community and the challenges faced by researchers and organizations in discerning truth from fabrication. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a commitment to serious, evidence-based research. The publication expresses frustration with individuals who create hoaxes to maintain interest in the subject, contrasting this with their own approach of reporting genuine news. There is also an underlying theme of internal politics within UFO organizations, as highlighted by the NICAP staff changes.