Saucer News Non-Scheduled Newsletter - No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: Non-Scheduled Newsletter #10
Date: September 1st, 1959
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: JAMES W. MOSELEY

This issue of SAUCER NEWS is a non-scheduled newsletter focusing on a specific incident: the abrupt termination of the "Long John Party Line" radio program on WOR, hosted by Long John Nebel, on Sunday, August 23rd, 1959. The newsletter delves into the circumstances surrounding the program being cut off the air mid-discussion about flying saucers.

Long John Hushed Up While Discussing Hush-Ups

The main article details how the WOR radio program, which normally runs from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., was interrupted at 4:30 a.m. during a heated discussion on "flying saucers." Long John Nebel was cut off the air mid-sentence, and music filled the remainder of the broadcast. The discussion involved guests James Moseley (editor of Saucer News), Gray Barker (publisher of "From Outer Space to You"), and Ben Isquith (a programmer).

Long John Nebel, when asked to comment on a New York Daily News article about the incident, refused to elaborate beyond correcting minor errors: the program started at 12:00 midnight, not 12:30 a.m., and two names were misspelled. He also noted that Y.N. ibn A'haron, known as "Yonah," was part of the morning's panel.

The WOR Studio Perspective

Those present in the WOR studio described the silencing as a complete surprise. The morning's talk had largely centered on an expose of Gray Barker written for the June 1959 issue of SAUCER NEWS. This article, by Lonzo Dove, accused Barker of being responsible for the "hush-up" or silencing of Al Bender by three men in black suits. The Howard Menger book "From Outer Space to You," published by Barker, was also mentioned.

Shortly before the program went off the air, Long John asked Gray Barker for his opinion on the alleged silencing of Al Bender, Howard Menger, and the Mitchell Sisters (two contactees who claimed to have ridden in a saucer). Long John then posed the question: "If these stories are true, do you think the....men in black are from this planet?" Barker replied that he believed they were, but that their appearance was likely more frightening than the information they conveyed.

During Barker's reply, a phone rang in the control room, audible in the studio through an open door. No one present initially gave it significance.

The Final Moments of the Broadcast

The final exchange before the broadcast was cut off involved Long John asking Barker if he had been hushed up, to which Barker replied "No." Long John then asked if Barker had written in a recent magazine article about the possibility of hushing Long John up, referencing a piece in "Palmer's magazines." At this point, music inexplicably began playing from the control room.

It took several moments for the editor to realize they had been cut off. When Long John excitedly rushed out to speak with engineer Jack Keane, the panel understood that something serious had occurred. A chill fell over the studio, and Long John became irritable. The music continued, and the panel members milled around.

The Producer's Account and Speculation

Dave Field, the producer, stated that the engineer, Jack Keane, had answered the phone and handed it to him. Both had apparently recognized the caller's voice but refused to identify them. Keane used his authority as engineer to cut the show off without consulting Nebel. Given that only a few people knew the confidential control room phone number, speculation among the panel included the possibility of the caller being a station manager, the FCC, or the Air Force. The implication was that something said on air had caused panic among those in authority.

Long John eventually returned to the air briefly to announce that due to circumstances beyond his control, they would enjoy more music and that he would return later to say goodnight. Just before signing off at 5:30 a.m., he apologized for the difficulty and stated he would be back that night.

Comparison to Keyhoe Incident and Editorial Opinion

The newsletter draws a parallel between this incident and the alleged Air Force censorship of Major Donald Keyhoe during the "Armstrong Circle Theatre" broadcast on January 22, 1958. The editorial opinion presented is that a more prosaic explanation for the Long John incident might be in order. It is suggested that Gray Barker, being one of the few who knew the studio's confidential phone number, might have arranged for a confederate to make a hoax call to the studio to increase sales of his book about the Al Bender hush-up. The newsletter cites Lonzo Dove's assertion that Barker would stoop to almost anything for publicity and profit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are media censorship, alleged cover-ups of UFO information, and the potential for manipulation within the UFO research community for personal gain. The editorial stance, while acknowledging the possibility of official censorship, leans towards a more cynical explanation involving Gray Barker's alleged self-promotion and the possibility of a hoax designed to boost book sales. The newsletter concludes by stating that only time will tell the true explanation and whether the Long John program will again dare to discuss flying saucers.

Publication Notes

These newsletters are non-scheduled and issued when worthwhile material is available, often containing information considered "too hot to handle" for regular issues of SAUCER NEWS.