UFO Sighter Jun 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO SIGHTER
Issue Date: June 16, 1969
Content Focus: UFO phenomena, interviews, and reports on unexplained events.

Interview with J. Edward Roush

The central feature of this issue is an interview with former Congressman J. Edward Roush (D. - Indiana) conducted by Donald R. Cook, Jr. The interview, conducted on March 29, 1969, delves into Roush's background and his interest in UFOs. Roush, an attorney by profession, served in Congress for ten years and was a member of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics. He explains that his interest in UFOs developed over time, particularly as he encountered military personnel and scientists during his committee work.

Roush describes a symposium on UFOs he helped organize, which differed from a traditional hearing by allowing participants to engage in discussions. The symposium aimed to stimulate thinking and generate new insights. While the committee itself made no recommendations, the participating scientists suggested that government bodies like NASA or the National Science Foundation should undertake serious studies into UFO phenomena. Roush views UFOs as a scientific problem that needs understanding, acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial visitations without firmly believing in it.

He recounts asking prominent scientists, including Wernher von Braun, about UFOs, noting that while most didn't believe in alien visitations, they acknowledged an unexplained phenomenon that warranted investigation. Roush found it intriguing that people who reported UFO sightings were often reasonable, professional individuals like Air Force or airline pilots, rather than 'kooks.' He spent considerable time investigating UFOs, even asking about tracking facilities at NASA and elsewhere, and received responses that suggested instances of unexplained radar or tracking data.

Roush clarifies that he was not involved in the earlier military hearing on UFOs in 1966, which he found to be short and superficial. Following his departure from Congress in January 1969, he has continued to follow UFO developments, maintaining contact with NICAP and encouraging interest among other members of Congress.

Regarding the Condon Report, Roush expresses strong skepticism, believing its conclusions were predetermined. He suggests a memorandum existed prior to the investigation that outlined the expected findings, and that the study was undertaken to justify these pre-conceived notions.

When asked about his personal beliefs, Roush reiterates that he is not a believer in extraterrestrial visitations but considers it a possibility that cannot be discounted. He suggests that life could exist on other planets and that such life might be far more advanced than humanity.

Finally, Roush encourages anyone who witnesses an unexplained phenomenon to report it immediately to relevant authorities, emphasizing that a thorough compilation of evidence is crucial for reaching a scientific conclusion. He also briefly touches upon his political future, indicating he might run for election again despite a previous defeat.

Reports on Unexplained Incidents

The issue includes several brief reports on various incidents:

• Mysterious Deaths in Georgia: An AP release from January 19, 1968, mentions the deaths of Beverly Stephens and her sister, Patricia Rush, in California in 1963 and 1968, respectively. Both died suddenly after experiencing extreme fear, with autopsies failing to determine the cause.
• Power Outages in California: An article from the Atlanta Constitution (June 5, 1968) details sabotage attacks on the Pacific Gas & Electric Company in Oakland, California, where blasts knocked over power towers and disrupted service to the University of California and the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory.
• Traffic Light Failures in Georgia: An Atlanta Journal report (July 17, 1968) describes thunderstorms causing 52 traffic light failures in Dekalb County, Georgia, attributed to power surges along electric lines following lightning strikes.
• Apollo 7 Mission Power Failure: An AP release (October 12, 1968) reports a 60-90 second power failure at the Space Center in Houston, potentially affecting the mission control center during the Apollo 7 mission.
• Florida State Capital Power Failure: A UPI Telephoto caption (September 5, 1968) notes a power failure at the Florida State Capital, the second in eight days.
• Chlorine Gas Incident: A UPI story from July 25, 1968, details an incident in South Charleston, West Virginia, where a chlorine gas leak from an explosion led to the evacuation of 20,000 residents and treatment of over 200 people for gas inhalation.

'Men in Black' Phenomenon

This section reprints an article from SKYLOOK (March 1969) and discusses the 'Men in Black' (MIB) phenomenon. Allen H. Greenfield, editor of UFO SIGHTER, notes that the 1968 Congress of Scientific UFOlogists in Cleveland, Ohio, included discussions on MIB cases. He suggests that while some cases may lack objective basis, there's a reasonable possibility they have a substantive foundation. Greenfield mentions unsolved cases, including those from Benuer and Maury Island, and more recent ones involving a Cleveland UFOlogist and Texas policemen. He also touches upon 'telephone crank calls' and 'noise' calls, suggesting they might be distinct from monotone voice calls and could be hoaxes.

An excerpt from Anomaly (May 1969) describes MIBs as individuals with Oriental features, dark complexions, slight stature, and a heavy accent, sometimes posing as salesmen or poll-takers.

The section also references Montague Summers' works, associating the term 'Black Man' with the Devil and noting descriptions of dark, tall figures in alleged werewolf cases. It mentions an 1897 case involving Judge Lawrence A. Byrne.

Letter from Richard S. Mack

A letter from Richard S. Mack, dated January 28, 1969, from Fort Rucker, Alabama, commends an article by Edward M. Biebel in UFO SIGHTER. Mack agrees with Biebel's critique of the 'conservatism' within the UFOlogy community and highlights the lack of centralism and a basic program of action. He believes that despite Biebel's optimism, little has changed regarding the approach to UFO research. Mack stresses the urgency for original, in-depth research rather than focusing on public relations or superficial efforts. He quotes Biebel stating that if no progress is made, he will withdraw from UFOlogy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation and understanding of UFO phenomena, the role of government and scientific institutions in studying these events, and the nature of unexplained encounters. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content and the editor's notes, favors a serious, evidence-based approach to UFO research, encouraging public reporting and advocating for more rigorous scientific inquiry. There is a clear skepticism towards official reports that appear to dismiss or predetermine findings, such as the Condon Report, and an openness to considering even unconventional possibilities like extraterrestrial contact, while grounding the discussion in scientific inquiry. The 'Men in Black' phenomenon is presented as an intriguing, albeit complex, aspect of UFO lore that warrants further investigation.