UFORUM - 1956 09 - Vol 1 No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOrum
Issue Date: September-October 1956
Volume: One, Number Seven
Publisher: Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club
Type: Monthly publication, non-profit educational organization.

Main Articles and Content

The Silence Group and 'Siberia, U.S.A.'

This section delves into a controversy surrounding U.S. House of Representatives Bill #6376, known by some as "Siberia, U.S.A.". The article reprints excerpts from two opposing viewpoints: one by Ric Williamson, publisher of Telonic Research Bulletin, who attacks the bill, and another by Priscilla Buckley, who defends it. Gray Barker's book "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers" is cited, suggesting a group is working to halt saucer investigations. Williamson is quoted as stating that "ALL GOVERNMENTS are under the complete control of the 'International Bankers'" who manipulate money, create wars, and prevent official UFO announcements. He argues that if the technology of space visitors were revealed, it would eliminate the need for oil, gas, and automobiles, disrupting their economic control. The article highlights that on January 18, 1956, the House passed Bill #6376, which proposed allocating 1,000,000 acres in Alaska for a mental hospital. Critics argued that the bill's wording was a "vicious" attempt to establish a "political concentration camp" where individuals could be "dragged from their home" and declared mentally ill, far from family and friends, in an "arctic insane asylum". Priscilla Buckley is quoted comparing the potential panic to Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast. The article notes that the bill was resting in the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and questions if it would enable wholesale deportations. It also mentions that the federal government owns 99% of Alaska's land and that land grants are a historical practice. The American Medical Association approved the commitment procedures in HR 6376, requiring a person to be "mentally ill and dangerous to himself or others or urgently in need of treatment" for commitment.

M.K. Jessup Gives Talk Here

This section reports on a talk given by M.K. Jessup, author of "The Case for the U.F.O.", "The U.F.O. Annual", and "U.F.O. in the Bible". Jessup, a former astronomy instructor, presented his views on "U.F.O in the Bible" on August 25th. He suggested that if UFOs existed in biblical times, many biblical "miracles" and "supernatural" events could be explained naturally. Examples cited include references to Cherubims or Angels, "A pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day," Ezekiel's "Wheel within a wheel," and the parting of the Red Sea.

"Unidentified Flying Objects" Movie Shown in Grand Rapids

This article reviews the movie "Unidentified Flying Objects", shown in Grand Rapids during July. The film is described as a "must" for anyone interested in the flying saucer controversy and includes sequences from two Air Force-labeled "SECRET" films from 1950 and 1952. The article questions how producer Clarence Green obtained these films, especially one that Major Donald E. Keyhoe was told had been destroyed. The movie traces the history of the flying saucer phenomenon from Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and includes the case of Captain Mantell, who died chasing a saucer. The movie's version of Mantell's death differed from Keyhoe's, stating that reports of his plane wreckage being radioactive were false. The film also presented the sighting of Captain Willis Sperry, an American Airlines pilot, who described a fast-moving, streamlined object with a blue light.

#### Analysis of the Montana and Utah Films

The most interesting part of the movie, according to the editor, was the analysis of two colored films, the 'Montana' and 'Utah' films, kept secret by the government since 1950 and 1952. The Montana film, taken by Nick Mariana at Great Falls on August 15, 1950, showed objects moving against a 25-28 mph wind. Analysis indicated their movement was horizontal and steady, ruling out balloons, aircraft, birds, mirages, or cloud reflections. The Utah film, taken by Delbert Newhouse at Tremonton, Utah on July 2, 1952, was less clear than the sighting itself. Analysis of the Utah objects revealed speeds exceeding aircraft capabilities, elliptical or circular patterns, and sizes varying from one-sixth to one-tenth the size of the moon. Their forms were circular and elliptical, fitting the "flying saucer" description. The analysis ruled out atmospheric mirages, birds, and balloons. The movie concluded by stating the films were authentic, substantiated by documentation and affidavits, and aimed to establish the facts that unidentified flying objects exist. UFOrum recommends that interested individuals see the picture.

Mars Makes Closest Approach in 32 Years

This brief article reports that the planet Mars made its closest approach to Earth in 32 years on September 7th, within 35,120,000 miles. It notes that reports from astronomers are beginning to come in, but full analysis of the data will take several years. A United Press article from September 7th is cited, stating that a "W" shaped, yellow dust cloud, 3,000 miles long, was spotted over Mars by Professor Gerard P. Kuiper of the University of Chicago.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFOrum include the existence and nature of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), government secrecy and potential cover-ups, and conspiracy theories involving powerful, hidden groups (like the "International Bankers"). There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that certain entities are actively suppressing information about UFOs. The magazine also touches upon the intersection of UFO phenomena with religious texts and the potential for misinterpretation of legislation for nefarious purposes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations and to investigate further, as evidenced by the recommendation to see the "Unidentified Flying Objects" movie and the inclusion of "Suggested Periodical Readings" from various saucer clubs and research groups.

This issue of UFOrum, dated September 1956, focuses on the intersection of astronomical observations, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and scientific research.

Martian Canals and the Possibility of Intelligent Life

The magazine discusses the ongoing mystery of the 'Martian canals,' first observed in 1877 by Giovanni Schiaparelli and later studied by astronomers like Percival Lowell. Recent observations, including those by Dr. Michikazu Inishi of Kobe, Japan, suggest that these markings are still visible and are of exceptional size, detectable even with smaller telescopes. An article in the Grand Rapids Herald reported that a Japanese observer spotted these 'elusive Martian canals' during a global observation event.

Several theories are presented regarding the origin of these canals, ranging from optical illusions and geological events (volcanoes, earthquakes, asteroid impacts) to sophisticated engineering by intelligent Martians to transport water from the polar icecaps to underground cities. The presence of white clouds near the Martian polar caps was also noted.

The issue highlights that Mars is currently closer to Earth than it was in 1954, with data from the 1954 opposition still under evaluation. SKY and TELESCOPE magazine's August and September issues are cited for presenting data from the 1954 observations, which reportedly strengthened the case for life on Mars. A significant finding from the '54 study was the appearance of a large blue-green area on Mars, contrasting with previous observations of a red desert.

The speculation about intelligent life on Mars is largely centered around the canals. The 'great circle' arcs of these canals, if proven to be artificial, are presented as strong evidence for an intelligent race. Dr. Harlow Shapley, a noted astronomer-mathematician from Harvard, is quoted stating, "The conclusion that living things with some kind of mentality exists in other worlds is inescapable."

Articles in SKY and TELESCOPE, including a detailed report by Tsuneo Saheki of Osaka Planetarium on Japanese observations from 1935 to 1954, and a map compiled by D. P. Avigliano, are presented as supporting the 'Intelligent Life' hypothesis. The map, based on observations by multiple astronomers, shows many lines of the 'great circle' order, which the editor considers the best documented evidence for intelligent life on Mars.

UFO Sightings and Government Secrecy

The issue features several reports of UFO sightings, particularly in Michigan. A family near Grand Rapids reported seeing a brilliant red, pulsating round object the size of a baseball on September 8, 1956, during an International Flying Saucer Sighting Day event. Another report from Deerfield, Michigan, describes a bright, yellow sapphire-like object with a short white tail seen on September 6, 1956. A sighting near Grand Haven on September 7, 1956, involved five jets flying in formation, accompanied by a separate, dull-white, round object that appeared to be ignored by the jets.

An excerpt from 'The Wells Newsletter' titled 'THE FLYING SAUCER MYSTERY' discusses the secrecy surrounding new research programs related to gravitation, magnetic force, and cosmic power. It posits that UFO sightings are tied to these studies and that leading scientists believe life exists on other planets. The article argues that the numerous sightings by responsible observers cannot be dismissed as illusions and that UFOs are capable of speeds and maneuvers beyond current understanding. It also suggests a 'mother craft' with smaller satellites and notes that press reports have been numerous despite alleged censorship by the U.S. defense establishment.

The Pentagon's reason for suppressing UFO reports is stated as the potential for public panic if false sightings are given free play alongside well-supported ones. However, the article suggests that progress in space travel and the belief in extraterrestrial life indicate vast revelations about life in the universe are imminent. It recommends books by Capt. Edward Ruppelt and Major Donald F. Keyhoe, with Keyhoe alleging that the U.S. Air Force has engaged in aggressive actions against UFOs and that the Pentagon is deliberately suppressing data.

Michigan Flying Saucer Federation Convention

The Michigan Flying Saucer Federation convened in Detroit on September 22nd and 23rd for its second meeting. The first meeting, where the state-wide organization was formed, took place in Plainwell, Michigan, on May 5, 1956, with representatives from six flying saucer clubs.

Genetics Changes Due to Atomic Bomb

A report from Tokyo details the findings of Dr. William J. Schull, an American genetics expert who examined nearly 100,000 babies born in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the atomic bombings. Dr. Schull stated, "We cannot say we have observed genetics damage, but we cannot say genetics damage did not occur." His observations at an international genetics symposium indicated "no demonstrable" changes in characteristics such as still-births, sex-ratio of infants, birth weight, post-natal death rate, and the presence of gross malformations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of extraterrestrial life, particularly on Mars, and the reporting of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to lean towards the belief in intelligent life beyond Earth, citing astronomical observations and numerous UFO reports as evidence. There is also an undercurrent of concern regarding government secrecy and potential suppression of information related to UFOs. The inclusion of the genetics report on atomic bomb effects provides a contrasting scientific perspective on a different, yet significant, contemporary issue.