Saucer Smear - Vol 25 No 12 - 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER PHONE
Issue: Vol. 25, No. 12
Date: October 20th, 1978
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Phone" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to Todd Zechel, featuring a collection of miscellaneous ravings, missives from readers, and reports on UFO-related controversies and sightings.

Ye Olde Miscellaneous Ravings

The newsletter opens with a report from Joan Boyes of Canada's Hollow Earth Society, who has sent a document claimed to be the missing secret diary of Admiral Byrd. This diary allegedly describes Byrd's journey to the Inner Earth, where he visited a beautiful city, spoke to a Master, and received "great Revelations." The foreword to this pamphlet is attributed to Dr. William Bernard.

The main focus of this section is the ongoing dispute between "Klass" and "Zechel." Klass has presented a set of twenty questions about W. Todd Zechel, who is described as a fireman, sex-shop manager, pool-hall hustler, and frequent "borrower." Klass implies Zechel has incurred large phone bills and managed a pornographic book store in Milwaukee. While Zechel acknowledges being a carpenter and fireman during a six-year period of alleged intelligence work, he refuses to comment on Klass's charges and claims he is suing Klass. Zechel has provided a photostat of a top-secret clearance from the Army Security Agency in 1963. His friend, Brad Sparks, has sent Klass over 20 pages of letters defending Zechel. Klass, in turn, has accused Zechel of a postal violation for cashing a $25.00 check for duplicating tapes of phone conversations without providing the tapes.

The section also notes the reappearance of former UFO researcher August C. ("Augie") Roberts, who is now living in Wayne, N.J. Roberts is remembered for taking the flash-bomb photograph of a UFO that appeared in George Adamski's "Flying Saucers Have Landed." Over the years, Roberts operated a photo service selling UFO pictures. His health and fortunes have declined, and he is no longer active in the UFO scene.

Roberts made a public appearance at the "Saucer Phone" 2nd Annual UFO Party. The highlight of the evening was a showing of UFO films by Stella Lansing, featuring lights of various sizes, shapes, and colors against a black background. The event was interrupted when a guest showed a pornographic film. Other guests included Timothy Greed Beckley ("Mr. UFO"), Arthur Gatti, the former Eugene Steinberg and wife, Geneva Steinberg, Brandon Blackman, Anna Montgomery, and Ted Hunt with his wife Phyllis.

Ye Olde Missives Section

This section features letters from readers:

• Paul Memoli writes that Perry Collins is no longer in Connecticut. He had a falling out with his intended bride and enlisted in the service. Memoli is not currently in communication with Collins but will pass on information if he gets in touch.
• The editor notes that they are trying to contact Tony Ranciato, head of the UFO Encounter Group of New Haven, as Collins is a member. The editor expresses concern that the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) might have to be held elsewhere if Ranciato cannot be reached, and criticizes Collins for leaving without notice.
• Jim Harris praises the artwork in "Saucer Stone" and notes that the "International UFO Reporter" is two months late. He questions the delay in Hynek's publications and comments on a chart in the back page. Harris also questions Charles Wilhelm's concern about Perry Collins ruining NUFOC's respectability, stating NUFOC has never had respectability. He concludes with a blessing from "the Lords of Kobol."
• Bob Sheaffer sends items related to Lama Dickhoff's "man-eating Venus Garudas" and "Official UFO" recruitment posters for an anti-UFO army, clarifying that this army is not affiliated with the UFO Subcommittee of the CSICP. He also quotes a dispatch from "Official UFO" about the community of Chester, Illinois, rebuilding amidst ruins.
• Ron Schaffner requests a plug for "Para-Hominoid Research," seeking reports of strange creatures and mutilations. His contact information is provided.
• Earl Jones thanks the newsletter for mentioning his name and "Alien" description, acknowledging that the "Saucer Bone" newsletter, while humorous, often hits the mark.

Further Reader Contributions and Commentary

• Laura Mundo clarifies that Ray Stanford interpreted "sexual developments" at Adam-ski's based on a 14-year-old's immature mind, not her own. She notes that "Sex, Science, and the Mystic" is sold out but has sent a free copy of "The Concept of Living Atomic Being or How to Survive the Present Times."
• Arthur Gatti reports on a poll taken after the movie 'CE3K' (Close Encounters of the Third Kind). When asked what a "Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind" would be, over 69% of respondents answered "SEX!" Other responses included finding a God, having them over to dinner, being asleep, being in a hurry to leave, or wanting sex.
• Peter Jordan of The Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomena expresses that the newsletter's "lampoons of Ufology" are difficult to summarize and that the editor's words continue to flow even when the mind has "absolutely ceased to function." He sarcastically wishes the editor success in his "mindless project" and asks if it's true the editor is doing the work of two men, Laurel and Hardy.
• Dave Reissig writes to avoid being removed from the mailing list and notes the newsletter's previous "scatological" content, suggesting it made Melton blush.

UFO Sightings and Reports

• Melton SHIT! (Editor's note: This name appears to be a pseudonym or a joke) encloses a picture of a flying saucer taken in his living room, stating it emitted a mysterious force that interfered with the camera. He notes that most UFOs seen outdoors resemble ordinary aircraft.
• George Fox describes a UFO experience in Cliffside Park, N.J., where he observed two ships with an "indescribable mirror-like quality." One ship emitted a black substance, described as black in appearance but not smoke, which did not seem to disperse.
• James ("Captain Jim") Oberg addresses Stan Friedman's criticism of his participation in the Klass wager as a "publicity stunt." Oberg confirms receiving an article from "True" magazine that he believes confirms earlier claims by Keyhoe regarding UFOs. He criticizes Keyhoe's statements about a Gemini-l radar UFO, a Polaris UFO story, and NASA hiding a genuine UFO photo. Oberg mentions an upcoming interview in "UFO Update" and issues with CBC-Toronto regarding his appearances with Isaac Asimov. He also reports a "cosmonaut UFO story" from Argentina, where Russian cosmonauts allegedly claimed to be shadowed by UFOs. Oberg suggests using Voice Stress Analysis between Klass and Zechel to resolve their dispute. He also notes that Marjorie Palmer is still soliciting UFO material for "Search" magazine.
• The issue mentions "Monsieur X" as a speaker at a convention in Washington, D.C.

Official UFO Bonus Poster

The back page features an "OFFICIAL UFO BONUS POSTER" with the slogan "JOIN THE ANTI-UFO ARMY" and the message "TRAITORS COME IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES." The artwork depicts a woman and a figure resembling a robot or alien.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter maintains a critical and often humorous tone, questioning the credibility of various UFO researchers and organizations while also reporting on alleged sightings and controversies. There is a recurring theme of skepticism towards sensational claims, particularly those made by figures like Keyhoe. The editor frequently engages in playful banter and uses pseudonyms or jokes in reader contributions. The dispute between Klass and Zechel is a central narrative, highlighting the complexities and personal conflicts within the UFO research community. The publication also seems to have a stance against certain aspects of UFOlogy, as evidenced by the "Anti-UFO Army" poster.