Saucer Smear - Vol 23 No 19 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: NEW SAUCERS
Issue Date: April 15th, 1976
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of NEW SAUCERS, a non-scheduled newsletter, presents itself as an official publication dedicated to informing readers about UFOs and unexplained celestial events. The editorial stance, as stated in the opening, is to approach UFOs seriously while maintaining a critical perspective on ufologists. The publication aims to be published free as frequently as apathy drives the editors, with content that can be serious, facetious, or ambiguous.

Key Articles and Reports

Wild Rumor Department

A rumor is circulating about "mock UFO hearings" to be held at the upcoming UFO convention "Mysticon II" in the Cleveland area on the weekend of May 22nd. This convention is also known as "Saucers, Space, and Science Fiction" and will feature speeches by renowned UFO experts.

Inside "Giant Crock"

This section reviews "Gray Barker at Giant Rock," a book by Gray Barker. The book is described as a highly fictionalized account of a trip Barker took to the last of the great Giant Rock conventions in California in the Fall of 1970. James Moseley and UFO researcher Barbara Hudson are frequently mentioned in the book. The introduction, purportedly by James Moseley, is criticized as an "egotistical fancy." A photograph on page 15 shows Moseley with a supposed 27-foot wingspan. The review suggests that closer adherence to the truth would have made the book more factual but potentially less palatable, implying a shift from "PG" to "X" rating. The book is available for $6.95 from Saucerian Press.

A Serious Note: "The Sirius Mystery"

A new book, "The Sirius Mystery" by Robert Semple, is presented as either a confirmation of Erich von Däniken's theories or a "neat put-on." The book claims that a primitive African tribe, the Dogon, were visited thousands of years ago by mermaid-like creatures from a planet orbiting a "white dwarf" star, now known to revolve around Sirius (the dog star). "White dwarfs" are described as stars in the early stages of collapse with immense density. The Dogon people are said to have preserved the worship of this far-off planet and its inhabitants, passing down details of the star's orbit that allegedly match modern scientific findings. The author, Semple, is described as "an orientalist and astronomer." The article, from the Chicago Tribune (3/28/76) by Leonard Santorelli, encourages ambitious readers to investigate the book.

The Tad Zilch Incident

This section details a case involving a man referred to as Tad Zilch, who has been writing letters about an incident allegedly occurring in 1954. Zilch, who was an employee of a "well-known Governmental agency" at the time, claims that the government captured a grounded flying saucer and found the dead body of a "little man" inside. He asserts that information gained from examining the craft was used to improve the "heat shield" on space capsules. Zilch is reportedly hesitant to reveal further details and does not believe in other UFO landings, being skeptical of general saucer sightings. He hopes to compel the government to admit the truth of his account.

The magazine notes that "crashed disc" rumors have persisted since the early 1950s, referencing a fictionalized account in "The Wright Field Story," a book previously published by the magazine. The article questions the likelihood of such significant information being kept secret for so long. It also recalls a 1954 rumor that President Eisenhower visited Muroc Air Force Base in California to inspect a crashed disc. The origin of these rumors is traced back to Frank Scully's 1950 UFO book, "Behind the Flying Saucers."

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, in a private interview with the editor, commented on the Zilch information, rating it "three quarters" on a scale of one to five.

Correspondence and Contributions

Ye Olde Male Bag

George Earley, a freelance UFO writer, expresses amusement at the magazine's return to publishing. He mentions his debut as Book Editor of "OFFICIAL UFO" magazine, where he plans to comment on publications from "batter" UFO research groups to broaden the field's scope and promote better private publications. Earley is open to receiving review copies of publications but does not guarantee reviews. He also has surplus UFO books and material for sale.

Bob Tarte's Letter

Bob Tarte, a UFO and psychic investigator, thanks the magazine for its issues and praises its sense of humor and perspective. He reports that his group, "Psi-Mappson," has disbanded. Tarte and his partner, a former graduate student in chemistry, were conducting rudimentary research in psychic phenomena. They experienced unusual phenomena in their homes as a result of their work, which led to his partner suffering a complete nervous breakdown. Although his partner believes the phenomena were not directly related to their work, he has decided not to resume experiments. Tarte reflects that their enthusiastic but perhaps not highly knowledgeable approach might not contribute significantly to the field, though they did capture "beautiful phantom leaf pictures" using a home-built Kirlian photography device.

John Keel

The editor notes that John Keel's latest "blast," signed by General Maxwell Carter, is amusing but space constraints prevent its inclusion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently maintains a critical yet engaged stance on UFO phenomena. While taking UFOs seriously, it exhibits a healthy skepticism towards the more sensational claims and the individuals promoting them. The editorial policy emphasizes providing information, sometimes seriously, sometimes facetiously, leaving the interpretation to the reader. The issue highlights the ongoing nature of UFO research and reporting, referencing past rumors and publications while introducing new books and alleged incidents. There's a clear interest in debunking sensationalism while still exploring the unexplained, as seen in the review of Barker's book and the cautious presentation of the Zilch incident. The magazine also serves as a platform for correspondence from various figures in the UFO community, fostering a sense of ongoing dialogue and investigation.