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1966: Unidentified Flying Objects - Form Response (folder B48-39)
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The original documents are located in Box B48, folder "1966: Unidentified Flying Objects
(folder 39)" of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the
United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives
collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in
the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are
presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject
to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
1966: Unidentified Flying Objects - Form Response (folder
B48-39)
Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
THE CONNECTICUT MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
UFO
H 1937
HARTFORD, CONN.
March 30, 1966
C
The Honorable L. Mendel Rivers, Chairman
House Armed Services Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D. C.
APR - ANSD
Dear Mr. Rivers:
P
1 have noted that you are considering whether your committee
should have an investigation of the reports on UTO's. I hope your
Y
committee will favorably consider this matter and hold an investigstion,
For many of us who have never seen UTO's and know nothing
about them except what MD read in the press, the nost disturbing thing
about the matter is not the reports but the secrecy with which the
government deels with them. It is you understanding that licensed
commercial pilots are obligated to report any alleged UFO sightings
and that there is # fine of Birth to $10,000 and threat of revoking their
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
license if they talk about it to other people.
Also 1 understand that the Air Force has refused to make
its files svailsble to Congressmen or any other citizens who are qualified
and interested in the subject. If,as the Air Force claims, there is
nothing to these reports, then 1t would appear that there is absolutely
nothing to hide. I think it is this secretive attitude which has
shaken the confidence of the public in any statements made by repre-
sentatives of the Air Force. I think the public is entitled to the
truth.
Respectfully yours,
Keith B Hook
KBH/jd
001 The Honorable Emilio C. Dadderio
The Nonorable Gerald R. Ford
UFO
Willamette View Manor
COURT AND HOSPITAL
2705 S.E. RIVER ROAD - PHONE OL 4-6581
PORTLAND 22, OREGON
March27,1966 966
Congressma an GeraldFord
Washington D.C
APR - ANSD
Honozable Sir.
I had the Ronor to Rear you on Face the nation FROM
today, the program was mostinterestings
PHOTOCOPY GERALD FORD I BRARY
you repressed the wish that you may hear
from some one, who may have seen what is
considered a "I lying Sancer; which the
newspapers describe as gas from decaying
vegetable a matter from a swamp.I live in
Retirement Home, abouteight miles from
Portland Oregon about a week ago, Idecided
to go, before reakfast to our auditorium
which is on the eight floor of our building:
just to su the beauty of the sunrise, which
a bright disk about the pize of a dinner plate,
often do. Instead % the pun, I saw
so bright I coned hardly look at it. I
East and it continued on, until it was only
decided to watch it. The disk was traveling
the see. size of 9 ptar. Itwas ashrilling thing to
Thanking you
Sincerely Emma Carroll
270 5 S.E. Rever Road
Portland22
Oregon 97222
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
UFO
3080 Lakebeach Blvd
Akron 19, Ohio
March 29th 1966
Rep. Gerald Ford ( Rep. Mich.)
House of Representatives
APR - ANSO
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Ford :
I note with interest your statement
that you intend to organize a committee to
investigate and hold hearings on the UFO
sightings.
This will be great work if you can do
it. It is my understanding that, several years ago
Senator Me Clelland started to organize a hearing
and was stopped by Air Force and/or the CIA .
There are very powerful forces which are determined
to keep the American people from learning the truth.
This writer has been studying this
phenomenon for many years, and I'm convinced that
they do exist and that they are under intelligent
control. However, most of the qualified investigators
presuppose that these objects are from some other
planet. Could it be that the true explanation is
so fantastic ( another démention etc.) that the
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Air Force finds it impossible to explain it in
a way acceptable to the public ?
I suggest that you contact Major Donald Keyhoe
of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial
Phenomena, 1536 Connecticut Ave., Washington 6, D.C.
Also, Mr. Keyhoe's book " Flying Saucers Top Secret If
you might find highly informative.
Mr. Ford, I hope you won't allow anything
to stop your investigations. The American people
will forever be in your debt, if you are the man
who finally, without whitewash, presents this in it's
true perspective.
Sincerely yours
Gerald Hepler
SECURITY, HOW MANY CRIMES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN THY NAME
Pear Sir = APR. - ANSD
APR :- ANSD 3/29
WE SUPPORT A CONGRESSIONAL
INVESTIGATION OF UFO's !
THE MANY Books ON THE
SUBJECT TELL US THEY ARE
COMING FROM VENUS MARS,
ETC., TO ASSIST THIS
PLANET AND WATCH OVER US,
EVEN THAT MASS LANDINGS
WILL BE MADE AT A PRO-
PER TIME, SOON. PLUS NUM-
EROUS OTHER REASONS,
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
SURELY ; IT IS TIME THAT
EVERYBODY KNEW THESE FACTS!
I THINK THESE SIGHTINGS
WILL INCREASE so MUCH, AS
TO FORCE A PUBLIC STATEMENT.
ALREADY WE HAVE 10,000+.
THANK You! ORESTES WILSON
226 N.4.ST.
READING, PA
19601
VFO 3-30-66
HON. G.R. FORD
HOUSE OF REP.
WASH. D.C.
Dear How Mr. Ford; APR ANSD
have the U.F.O or "fliging saucer phenomena"
the radio comments on your proposal to thoroughly
In reading the press and hearing
such an action. I feel if the truth were
probed d must commend you very highly for
known regardless how shocking, it world might
have tendency their everlasting themselves stupor of
a to shake the
continually leaders from fighting among build
and perhaps have them try to a
better world for all concerned.
something t know a little about. I might
The "flying soucer phenomena is
add that in a very meager respect though.
A first became aware of this phenomena
back in 1955 when an amateur astronomer
inner
named George adamske first wrote his III
book entitled " The Flying Saucers Have Landed"
In this book he gave detailed accounts
of how he saw, and was contacted by these
strange craft. also his claim to have
conversed to creatures much like ourselves,
who told him they were from the planet
Venus.
d attended two lectures given in Detroit
It was not too long afterword that
by mr. adamski, where he produced
photographs of the "saucers" which
closely resemble the description the given
by people in and around Dexter
area.
Voow in his book, he gave a
run down of the recorded sightings the of
these "ships from outer space" and
dates. It seems that they have been
century in France, England
sighted as for back as the etc. 16th
throughout Europe.
now Sir! as for as I'm concerned #
d do not for a moment doubt that
our planet with its so called civelopd
popular are unique in elistence
I think that the divine archetect
created this planet with habitation
he probably created many mony more.
It would be wise in my openion
to try to contact these or it or whatever
intelligence controls these vehicles, perhaps
we could learn to become better people
with their aid or instructions at
any rate they do not seem to show
take arms and start firing at them
hostility and people who immediately
are only displaying their unrestrained
animalistic tendency.
d wish you all the luck in
the world in pursuing thes insestigation
Respectfully
10166 Pelham ked
Teel Azybowing
Taylor, Mich 48180
Robinson's Grasses
Grower and Processor of
C. A. Robinson
1107 Yonkers Street
Southwest Native Grasses
Tel. CA 4-2393
Plainview, Texas
March 28,1966.
Congressmon Derald ford,
APR1- ANSD
House Washington. of Representatives,
APR - ANSD
Dear Mr. Ford:
to have a general investigation of u 70
I admire very much your effocts
and the Clin force cenoorship of the true
PHOTOCOPY FORD I BRARY
facts. american citizen have a right to
know and not to be handed false infor-
mation. most citizens in this area know
that the U7Os exist, want to know facts
that are available and they laugh at the
ridicalous remarks of Dr. Hynek. Such
remarks undermine confidence in our government.
more power to you.
kindest regards, C.A. Robrison
Reference - CITY NATIONAL BANK
Deorge Mahon is my representative.
Member nicap,
UFO
331 E1 Toyonal Road
Orinda, California
March 29, 1966
APR 1 - ANSO
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford (R) Michigan
House of Representatives
The Congress of U.S.A. - Washington, D.C.
My dear Congressman:
I was delighted to learn through the March 28th edition of the San Francisco
Chronicle of your interest in breaking the Air Force censorship on Unidentified
Flying Object sightings.
An author of a new book, called "Incident in Exeter" (N.H.), recently appeared
on NBC TV show "TODAY" which prompted a letter from me, a copy of which is
attached. The exeter sightings were at treetop level and were authenticated
by dozens of reliable witnesses, Ordinarily the Michigan sightings would
not have been carried by the news services because of the AAF "ARM TWIST".
Apparently somebody goofed and the story was carried.
This rarely happens but when it does you can expect the following AAF action:
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
(1) The AAF dispatchessone of its experts, this time Dr. J. A. Hynek,
to the scene who is under instructions to discredit the UFO as
a flying saucer and provide some lame explanation for the news
services to release to the public, which by the way, they are
obliged to do. It has the psychological effect of a retraction.
(2) They use another tactic which to me is inexcuseable conduct.
They do everything they can to personally discredit the person
reporting the sighting even to the point of ridicule. As a
consequence, this policy serves to inhibit reports.
You will be doing our country a great service by exposing the AAF censorship
and airing the facts. In the meantime I suggest you admonish the public to
not report any sightings to the AAF. They simply cover up.
If you are going to spearhead this program I would suggest you contact
Major Donald E. Kehoe, who is a regular contributor to TRUE MAGAZINE, on
this subject. Another excellent contact would be Edward J. Ruppert, former
head of AAF project investigating flying saucers.
Yours very truly,
Wath Healtye
WALTER C. HOELTJE
331 E1 Toyonal Road
Orinda, California
February 19, 1966
"TODAY"
N.B.C. TV
Radio City
New York, New York
Attn: Hugh Downs
Barbara Walters
Frank Blair
Hello you guys -- greetings from California:
I would appreciate it very much if you would give me the name of the
author who recently appeared on your show in connection with flying saucers,
and also the title of his book. I should like to purchase a copy.
I can understand your skepticism, which is shared by almost everyone
except those who have had a personal confrontation. The reason for this is
quite simple. Following World War 2, we all read about countless sightings
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
at every important communications, industrial center and military installa-
tion on earth. In August of 1952 the lid of censorship went on, and is
still on 13 years later. This is how it works: Any local newspaper can
print a UFO story, but through typical Washington ARM-TWISTING techniques,
the news services have agreed not to carry UFO stories.
I myself have seen several the most vivid of which almost resulted in
my death, and that of my fellow passengers on a National Airlines flight,
back in about 1954. Actually, the UFO did not attack, but the pilot
panicked and lost control of the plane. Fortunately, he was able to get
the plane out of the spin and landed it safely.
The next edition of the WASHINGTON POST carried the story, but the news
was then blacked out, and the story never appeared in any other newspaper,
radio news or any other media,
TRUE MAGAZINE, fortunately refuses to be gagged, and does a good job
in keeping it's readers informed of our progress in probing this great
mystery. TRUE reports that despite the Air Force denials of UFO existance,
more than 65 programs by government and private industry are under way,
searching for the antigravity principle which the UFO apparantly utilizes,
To me, personally, a much greater mystery exists than that of the UFO's.
How does the Air Force have the temerity to refuse to make the facts public?
Do they regard us Americans as a bunch of gibbering idiots who cannot be
-2-
trusted with the truth? Their policy appears to be the childish approach
to anything they cannot understand "If we pretend the UFO's do not exist
maybe they will just go away." Even more frightening is the obvious impli-
cation that there may be other important news stories being kept from us.
I hope this information is of interest.
Very truly yours,
Walter C. Hoeltje
P. S. Incidentally, while you were in Athens recently, I wired your New
York office to get word to you to inspect the very provocative
fresco on the wall of a restaurant called the Cafe of the Seven
Brothers. Did any of you see it?
cc: TRUE MAGAZINE
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
NFO
THE DEFIANCE COLLEGE
DEFIANCE, OHIO
APR, ANSD
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
March 29, 1966
CHARLES A. MANEY
Honorable gerald R. Ford, Jr.
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Please accept my heartiest congratulations on
your stand calling for a "fall-blown" Congressional I westigation
of VFOs.
I am a Board number of NICAP, the national
I westigations Committee on Curial Phonomena, with headquergus
at 1536 Connections have. N-W. Washington, D. e. Included
our membership are literally hundreds of scientists of repute
we know of the reality of there space objects.
NICAP has auple evidence, scores and scores of eases
proving the ever-up and misropressantation policy of ffieiald
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
also, NICAP has stocks of material, deticled investigations
of these phenomeve.
I beg of you to contact NICAP. major P oncld will Keyboe ret USAIC
is Director of NICAP. I am sure that NICAP
Co operate with you vae hundred percent in any investigation
to bring out the facts pertaining to UFO phenomene.
The many intelligent persons in southern Michigan
your Kichigan, are anxious for you to get
at the bottom of this. These Michigan wrtnesses know
that what they observed in the resent spectacular aireal
sightings were definitely solid objects of unhaven space
origin, manualvering in the sky in a manner for
exceeding the capebilities of recognized known air craft.
THE DEFIANCE COLLEGE
DEFIANCE, OHIO
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
CHARLES A. MANEY
It is infort wrote that so many so- called scontists
today will blurt out ridicule about a subject which they
know nothing about and which they have not investigated
However, NICAP can put you in touch with many
reputable signtists and promiumant persons, including
many members of Congress who will be glad to support
you w your laudable efforts
Sincerely
q meritor Professor of Physics and Certronomy
tharler a maney
Board member of VICAP
address
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
CHARLES A. MANEY
601 WASHINGTON
DEFIANCE, OHIO
A. A. SHAPER, M. D.
APRIT ANSD
2941 YORKSHIRE BLVD.
LOUISVILLE, KY. 40220
3/29/66 Dear Congressman Ford-
I see no reason why an not
With regard to the U,F.O.
made. do not should believe they be
exist Would live to know
whether M, F.O. have been
sighted other than in USA.
In another matter my
mentioned m a letter that
daughter on Long Island the ny.
# 7839 Pub. Far Enstern
us State Dept. issued a Jamphles
/ 30 rebused Feb 1965 office
of State Public Dept affairs later stopped
media Services which Bureau the
PHOTOCOPY
released is new
ussuing same. Was it it ever
available. and not would sue
constituents- - but assistance
Hou. Gerald R. Ford
Congressman from Michyan
mrs.
C B KERR
802 UHRIG AV
DAYTON OHIO
45406
Dear Hon. Gerald Ford,
ANS
Sopie Flying saucer mythesfion -
outer space. People know there
has been several circular arcuft
invented here in the u. S.a.
My son Jack's hobby Between has been 1942
and plying 1950 & arricraft we saw pictures
published in many newspapers.
an article in Popular mechanies.
aeroplane periodicals and even
Shen silence about
& their inventions. you may expect
to be relenced, internedated, realated
and smeared if you pursue
your investigation to ttopeoper
conclusion.
worked for big corporations
my husband who has always has
men harassed whose inventions
would seen make oil, rubber & steelosolete
The design of one of the circular
aircraft was pictured in a Columbus
Ohio news paper- citizen or Despatch-
we took both
me circular designed aucraft
had windows closely spaced entirely
around the edge or perimeter and
at night made a Evierd effect at
the light fromall tasse windows
night Complete visibility from
all directions made it seem
safer than aving craft. She
article in popular mechanics
mentioned the great interest
of our ally ??? Russia so
is really happening in Jungle the
one can only guess at what
uses of such a craft in
warface in Vietnam &
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
peace time as well.
Big wp such Russia inventions had Siberia
wing type airplane corporations and
they them. chamber have
mental Aitter institutions for genuus.
junk the gas we
Sincerely, Lotus Kerr
Mar 281966
(Mr Gerald Ford:
UFO
APR AMSD
House of Repr,
Washington D.C.
we are very appreciation of your
efforts to have an investigation
by Congress, of the information
being withheld the public by the
air Force, and others regarding
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
the many sightings of U.7 ©
Also hope to see you sponsor the
proposed 23ʳᵈ amendment, The
Liberty Lobby
Paul Sincerely R. Doane,
533 E. State Rd.
Lansing mich
you do when the order comes to gather your children and ship
them into State camps where they can become robots of the
State?
Editorial Opinion
Communist writings openly predict that they will seize con-
trol centers, and that the great mass of population will lie
prostrate. Records show that the lawless of a nation will take
this opportunity to swoop down on the helpless, motivated in
part by the same drive that causes looting after floods have
MOSTLY POLITICAL
driven people from their homes. Can you be sure that this will
not happen-especially after you read of the riots on Memorial
By Don Carpenter
Day in Griffith Park? There certainly was no motivation to justi-
fy attacks upon citizens and police, and the destruction of private
property. How would these same people react if all law were
What Will You Tell Your Children?
suddenly eliminated?
Oftentimes, for the sake of argument, one must stipulate to
Or, suppose you lived through the blood baths, and 15 years
certain points as facts. Let's hope that our friends who see no
from now, your youngsters ask about the America that was. Will
danger in the communist program will agree for the time being,
you tell them of the freedoms you had, the freedom to go where
that there is such a danger and that the danger may suddenly
you wished, to do what you wished, to say what you wished?
overcome America, just as it did Czechoslovakia. What will you
Will you tell them of the fun you had and the happiness you had?
tell your children?
What will you say when they ask how these things happened to
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the Reds assume
slip away?
control, they are in control of communications, they are in control
Will you admit that you dismissed all efforts to halt the drift
of public utilities, they have slaughtered or imprisoned the police,
towards communism as "McCarthyism," that you helped smear
they have clobbered resistance, and America lies prone, awaiting
everyone who tried to point out the danger?
the blood purges that must certainly follow, enduring the terrify-
It may seem a flight of fancy to ponder what could happen
ing period of vacuum before the calked heel of Godless com-
to America, but remember-the Pentagon, charged with protecting
munist tyranny comes smashing down.
you and yours from all dangers, foreign and domestic, has already
What will you tell those youngsters clustered at your knee?
made a study as to the best time to surrender! Ponder that!
How will you tell them that their nation, strong, dynamic, com-
passionate a few years ago, is now gone? How will you tell them
If you are a father or mother, look at your children. If they
that you cannot go to the store and buy food for them because
are asleep, walk in and look at them-peaceful, contented, trust-
the store is locked against its owners and that your money is no
ing. Are you doing anything to prevent just such a terrifying
longer any good? How will you tell them that the policeman on
picture as we have painted? Do you bother to inform yourself
the corner is no longer a friend-he has been replaced by a tyrant
on the drift towards tyranny? Or do you plan to collaborate
from the steppes of Asia or from the jungles of Africa? How
with the enemy, to "make friends" with the new order?
will you tell them that the America your fathers gave to you,
If America is to be spared this terror, it must be because
has been lost?
her people have forbidden it. If the people will not stem the tide,
What will you say when your little son, who feels you are
then each American must face the terror that has already been
a Marshal Dillon or a Hopalong Cassidy, asks you why you don't
visited upon Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, East Germany,
take a gun and go out to set things straight? What will you say
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Manchuria, and many, many other
when your teenager asks you what you have done to prevent this
lands.
takeover? Will you tell him you played golf or went fishing or
And, Mister, what will you tell your children?
learned to waterski or worked in the garden or learned to make
ceramics or hiked in the hills or a million other things, while
your nation went down the drain?
What will you say when these children, whose lives have
Reprinted from The Ledger, Montrose, California
already been blueprinted for them, ask what they should do?
Reprints of this four-page center spread, as a single
How will you advise them when they ask if they should resist?
sheet printed on both sides and folded to fit a No. 10
What will you say if they ask you if they should continue to
business envelope, are available in any quantity at
adore God, despite the ultimatum of the New Order? What will
50 copies for $1.00, postpaid. Order from
AMERICAN OPINION, Belmont, Massachusetts 02178
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
IT CAN HAPPEN HERE
"My dear son
I am SO sorry you are going to
have to live under Communism.
It seemed to come SO quickly.
I didn't think their lies could win.
I guess we were SO busy
with other things.
Not enough of us spoke up for
freedom when we had the chance.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
TROUBLEMAKER
He is the silent one. He never speaks up on issues.
He never sounds off in the letter column of his
local newspaper. He never writes his Congressman.
He is quiet as a clam. How can the United States
stay free
if all of us, like this one, withhold
our opinions, our ideas, our criticisms? The silent
troublemaker fails to understand this. He never
dares to question an oppressive law. In his wish to
offend nobody, he offends all. Freedom begins at
home.
APR ANSD
GORDON H. EVANS
R.F.D. NO. 1
HUDSON, NEW YORK 12534
MARCH 27TH., 1966
HON. GERALD R. FORD
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DEAR CONGRESSMAN FORD:
I HAVE READ WITH KEEN INTEREST THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORT
OF YOUR CALL FOR A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF U.F.O. IT IS
HIGH TIME. I THOUGHT THAT THE ENCLOSED ARTICLE COMMENTING ON
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN U.F.O. AND THE NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM MIGHT
BE OF INTEREST TO YOU. I REGRET THAT IT WAS NOT PUBLISHED IN A
JOURNAL OF GREAT STANDING - SUCH WILL NOT TOLERATE COMMENT ON
SUCH FOOLISH TOPICS. I'M ENCLOSING A PUBLICATIONS LIST TO HELP
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
ESTABLISH MY CREDENTIALS.
VERY TRULY YOURS,
and HE-
GORDON H. EVANS
to respond to the letter A would peck at a clear
items like drugs, inspected and passed by animals
disc at its own eye-level each time any A passed
is naturally the greatest stumbling-block. Few
behind it. This peck opens a food magazine at the
people, at this stage at least, would be prepared
bird's foot-level. Alternatively, the birds would
to make a pigeon, no matter how well trained,
peck at keys whenever they saw their chosen
a guardian of human life. We readily admit that
letters, which in turn would record them on a
to err is human but most of us still prefer to
typewriter.
trust human judgment, although in fact the res-
In all innovations of this kind public accep-
ponses of a properly trained animal are no less
tance of components, and especially consumable
fallible than human decisions.
THE OTHER WORLDS REVOLUTION
by GORDON H. EVANS
The existence of higher life in the
cosmos would revolutionize Man's outlook
CIENCE tells us with increasing assurance
verse. The second, Darwin's revolution, placed
S
that higher life exists in the cosmos in great
him in organic nature. The third will reveal to
profusion. Further, science speculates that
us the other higher species of the cosmos. It
before our century is out we may communicate
may well be the most profound of the three, the
with beings of other worlds. How should we greet
most destructive-creative of them all. Man's very
the event? What problems will it bring? What
feelings toward the heavens will change; instead
solutions? Who may gain, who may lose? What
of a cold, empty vault, they will come alive
will be the impact on society? On the community
probably friendly, possibly indifferent, conceivably
FROM FORD BRARY
of nations? On the consciousness of man?
hostile.
Our current discourse on affairs is incomplete,
Problem of Communication
radically so. Atomic war, popular morals, econo-
mic development, social justice, each is of con-
In the nineteenth century scientific opinion held
cern. But the list of bona fide issues, approved
that planets, and life itself, were very rare, even
for public discussion, is too short. Tomorrow's
unique, phenomena. The few men, such as Perci-
world will have more to it than most people sus-
val Lowell and Camille Flammarion, who believed
pect. There is true prophecy in the lines of
otherwise were subjected to heavy professional
censure.
Evan S. Connell, Jr:
Today, these old conclusions have been re-
We understand that the supernova
kindling a light brighter than one hundred
versed. Gone is the theory that the planets are
million suns
the result of a rare accident, a vastly unlikely
occurs to our knowledge each three centuries
near-collision of stars. Now planetary formation
or so.
is thought to be a normal aspect of stellar evo-
Now, three and one half centuries have elapsed
lution. Prof Lloyd Motz of Columbia University
Since Kepler's phenomena horrified the world,
and therefore we have every right to believe
has estimated that in the Milky Way (our galaxy,
our heavens will be set ablaze
one of thousands of similar ones) there are about
more strongly than the apparition born one
three to four trillion stars
similar enough in
August morning
their behaviour to be suitable centres of plane-
of secular winds across Japan.
tary systems that can give rise to an advanced
A great revolution with the profoundest ramifi-
form of life
cations for our lives is preparing. It will be the
Similarly, in the life sciences the old view that
third general moral and intellectual revolution
the origin of life was a mysterious, rare event
of post-medieval times. The first, the Copernican
has been all but overthrown. Biologists now think
revolution placed mankind in the inanimate uni-
that given the right conditions life is nearly an
239
The Andromeda Nebula, one of many galaxies like our Milky W ay, which may contain inhabited planets
inevitable consequence. The universe may be -
larly among radio astronomers, is very great. Only
indeed, must be - buzzing with life.
a small tremor of it reaches the general public- -
Yet we must go farther. The Nobel Laureat,
or, indeed, to members of other scientific disci-
Melvin Calvin, has told us
we are led to the
plines. The time is nearly upon us when discovery,
conclusion that there must exist somewhere in
contact, communication with higher species else-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
the universe not one but many terrestrial type
where will occur. Perhaps it will be by radio or
planets which have a law of living systems of a
laser, perhaps it will be face to face. Perhaps it
kind that we would recognize as such
it is
has occurred already.
clear that some of these living communities may
The public has been told of one communica-
have existed much longer than the one on earth,
tion effort - the celebrated Project Ozma, made
and therefore, one might expect that multicellular
several years ago at the National Radio Astro-
organisms having had more time would have pro-
nomy Observatory, at Green Bank, West Virginia,
gressed far beyond the system that we know here.'
USA. However, there have been other attempts
In other words, not only primitive but highly
to detect life beyond our planet; and the well-
advanced life may be liberally sprinkled about
informed know that our experience is much
the stars. Considering the short period of evolu-
larger than is generally supposed. At a private
tion on this planet (compared to the cosmic time-
meeting held in the spring of 1962 a group of
scale) it may be that advanced life is the rule,
eminent men prepared a more ambitious search
not the exception, in the universe. Primitive forms
for extra-terrestrial signals. While it has not been
- up to and including contemporary man - are
officially announced, it is very likely that a new
possibly rare. Organic nature may pass to high
Project Ozma is already under way.
technical civilization.
It is unfortunate that such heavy secrecy hides
Communications may soon be opened with
this historic effort. Many both within and with-
other worlds. This speculation has been voiced
out the scientific community feel that it is high
in the last few years. And yet it remains more
time the secrecy should be lifted. One must
muted than the facts justify. Excitement among
speculate that both the American and Soviet space
scientists concerned with such matters, particu-
programmes (the public reasons for which are
240
very weak) may actually be part of a search for
their knowledge to jump ahead of ourselves and
advanced species. If this is the true reason for
complete our knowledge of the universe?
the great space drive, it raises questions both for
May not higher creatures tell us things for
democratic government and for the new study of
which our thinkers and experimenters have long
inter-spatial relations. If we are going into space
sought? True, they may themselves ponder ques-
because someone else may be up there, then our
tions quite beyond our comprehension ; yet what
attitude towards other species and their attitude
to them are commonplaces may be solutions
towards us is of crucial importance.
which have long eluded our best brains.
The public list of major public issues is not
It is unfortunate that fiction since H. G.
inclusive - there is another, rarely mentioned, as
Wells has not prepared us for contact or com-
momentous as the nuclear war or the population
munication with higher life. Its portrayal as
explosion.
sinister, monstrous, heartless has been the worst
possible social conditioning for the event of
Higher than Man?
recognition. Since higher life has not been fiction-
A number of years ago the late Bishop Barnes
ally invested with higher qualities we must ex-
foresaw what may come. 'There are many other
pect the public to be somewhat nervous if they
inhabited worlds
and on some of them beings
discover it is near.
exist who are immeasurably beyond our mental
Anyone who sees television or reads scientific
level. We should be rash to deny that they can
novels will understand this. However, in the end
use radiation so penetrating as to convey mes-
good sense will prevail. Some ignorant or un-
sages to earth. Probably such messages come
generous interests will be rebuffed. If socialism
now. When they are first made intelligible a
is the principle of higher life and culture, today's
new era in the history of humanity dawns. At
Western economy may suffer. Our grandchildren
the beginning of the new era the opposition be-
may wonder how we could have believed in our
tween those who welcome the new knowledge
foolish creeds. Such discoveries may upset us but
and those who deem it dangerously subversive
this will be the price of escape from the parochial.
may lead to a world war
but we should like
The end of what Prof Harlow Shapley calls
to be living then, when we begin this new era. We
'cosmic loneliness' will be beneficial. We will
might get a truer understanding of the beginning
be like country folk coming to the metropolis.
of the universe.'
There are grounds for thinking that the higher
Perhaps the Bishop's prophecy of a world war
a creature becomes, the more decent and sanguine
is unlikely; we may hope so. However, the point
he is. Civilized men sometimes fall into pessi-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
is that the discovery of advanced communities
mism, but they have little excuse to do so. Other
beyond the earth may lead to an absolutely un-
races in the cosmos must have made our difficult
paralleled expansion of human knowledge. So
transition. When we realize this it may have a
far we have lifted ourselves by self-help, by our
tonic effect. It may act as an antidote to the
boot-straps. But what if we could draw upon the
gloom of the times. We may discover that our
accumulated wisdom of races millions, even
isolation is an illusion, and that we are not
hundreds of millions, of years ahead of us? Pro-
abandoned to self-destruction. We may be able
gress in all branches of practical and speculative
to gather comfort from other species - perhaps
knowledge may accelerate to an astonishing
millions of them - who have made the same
extent, limited only by our capacity to compre-
passage we are making now.
hend, assimilate, and use it.
The sombre mood of our times may reflect
Prof R. N. Bracewell believes that under such
not only fear of the atomic bomb and the pre-
conditions mankind might in one giant leap'
dicament of man but an adolescent ill-at-easeness
span or short-cut centuries, even millennia, of
with our transitional status. Soon, however, this
scientific work: As I write, a chain of com-
frame of mind may evaporate and circumstances
munications may exist between communities in
give rise to an entirely new perspective. Our
the galaxies who have passed the stage of develop-
species' future may be more glorious than we
ment we are in. Further, they are experienced at
now suspect. It is in the realm of weltanschauung
locating emerging communities such as ours and
that the other worlds revolution will have its
bringing them into the circle,
Why not use
deepest effects.
241
The Humanist
The Big Stick
EDITOR
HECTOR HAWTON
AN we force people to be good? Whatever our
C
answer it must prompt the further question:
ought we to try to do so? In a recent television
programme Lord Devlin restated his well-known view that
VOLUME 79
NUMBER 8
AUGUST
1964
it is the business of the law to enforce morality. The argu-
ment is that a common public morality is the cement that
holds society together. If the cement disintegrates the
CONTENTS
social order breaks down. This was the line taken by some
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
228
of the opponents of the Wolfenden Report. It underlies the
cries of alarm at what is now called the new morality',
THE SINGLE CULTURE OF
THE FUTURE
though it is anything but new. Needless to say, what these
Margaret Laws Smith
230
people have in mind is sexual conduct. To challenge the
CRIME AND SANITY
traditional sexual code is placed on a level with treason.
E. H. Hutten
233
Both are regarded as a threat to social cohesion. Yet not
so long ago, as Lord Devlin was reminded, to publish a
AN ANTHROPOLIGIST ON
denial of the truth of Christianity was treated as sub-
RELIGION
Cecil Howard
235
version and punished by law. (The Blasphemy Act still
stands, though it has become a dead letter.) He did not,
ADVANCES IN ANIMAL
TRAINING
however, base his claim on religious grounds. A Catholic
David Gunston
237
himself, he nevertheless conceded the Humanist point that
THE OTHER WORLDS
Britain is in practice a secular State. It follows that if the
REVOLUTION
law is to be invoked the appeal must be made to social
Gordon H. Evans
239
consequences. Lord Devlin admitted that nothing was
RELIGION AND THE US
gained by punishing homosexual acts between consenting
CONSTITUTION
adults in private. He agreed, too, that euthanasia did not
Fredric Mitchell
242
necessarily infringe the sacredness of life'. It seemed to
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
THE RPA AND THE BHA
his interrogators, one of whom was also a Catholic, that
Hector Hawton
246
by this utilitarian approach he was giving his case away.
TELEVISION AND RADIO
249
For Humanists the issues raised in this discussion are of
HUMANIST GUIDE TO BOOKS
250
urgent importance. We accept that moral rules must be
related to social consequences. We cannot accept that the
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
251
current prejudices of the majority of people, however
HUMANIST FRONT
254
passionately held, should be a permanent standard. The
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
256
voice of the people is not the voice of God. Nor, in a
mixed society - for that is what we are - do the people
speak with one voice. There are many moral questions,
by no means to be dismissed lightly as marginal, on which
Editorial Offices
there is disagreement. Minorities, too, have their rights.
40 DRURY LANE, LONDON, WC2
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If we use the law to enforce what it takes to be a common
morality it is hard to see how any reform can be brought
Publishing Offices
2 ELLIS STREET, SLOANE STREET,
about. Resistance to change is only hardened by ominous
LONDON, SW1
warnings about decline and fall. We cannot make people
SLOane 9464 and 9096
good by flourishing the big stick. Coercion and morality
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ALDRIDGE PRESS LIMITED
are poles apart. In a free society personal liberty is not
27 CHANCERY LANE, LONDON, WC2
provided by force but by persuasion.
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Second class postage paid at
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227
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
O
UTER SPACE is expensive,
expect to gather detailed terrestri-
and in the years ahead it will
al data from the moon? Those who
WHAT YOU DON'T
be more expensive, In 1962
tell us that who controls the moon
America will spend about $3.5
controls the earth never say exact-
billion to prepare its way in the
ly how. Close-in satellites could
heavens, and in 1963 the annual
perform any terrestrial military
rate will rise to $5 billion. Apollo,
mission far better than lunar or
the voyage to the moon, will cost
planetary operations. Infact, these
KNOW ABOUT SPACE
an estimated $30 billion, During
could probably not perform any
the 1960's our final bill for extra-
mission at all.
mundane exploration may runover
It is considerations such as
$70 billion, and the figure is con-
these which give rise to grave
servative. Why are we spending so
doubts about the war value of deep
By Gordon H. Evans
much? President Kennedy has said
space, For example, J.H. Rubel,
that "our future on earth" may
Assistant Secretary of Defense,
depend upon success in space. But
recently told a meeting of the
the reasons given for the necessity
Aerospace Club that years of heavy
to enter space are very weak. And
research and development have
people are beginning to notice it.
failed to uncover any new applica-
What are the reasons? Official-
tions for military space activity.
ly three: one military, one econo-
Indeed, when our national space
mic, one scientific. Even a super-
effort is touted in military terms
ficial analysis reveals flaws. Sat-
one hears only of "near space,"
ellites in the first few hundred
communications satellites, man-
miles above the earth have an un-
ned orbital stations and SO forth,
questioned military utility. But
Yet the largest portion of space
what is the military value of the
funds will be spent on the lunar
moon, even less the planets? As
and planetary projects. For de-
celestial missile bases against
fense against an earthly enemy
earth? Hardly. To lug missiles
deep space is not only expensive,
to the moon or Mars when they may
but virtually useless.
be deployed on earth is some-
What of economic utility? In his
thing of the order of going from
report to Congress in January 1962
Manhattan to Hoboken via the South
announcing a speed-up in Apollo's
Pole, Further, an enemy would be
schedule, President Kennedy said
given days of warning in the event
that business and employment would
they were fired, As a strategic
be greatly helped by space expendi-
observation post? Again hardly. If
tures. So they will. But if economic
astronomers cannot see all the
stimulation is the goal, what a way
Mars Mission. Photo by Boeing Airplane Company.
lunar features from earth, why
to do it! A condition of sound
17
16
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
pump-priming is creation of a SO-
volutionary new cooking-ware will
cial end-product. As an emergency
come from space-connected high
step the WPA may dig pits in the
temperature research. But such
ground, but everyone agrees that it
pleasant trifles may be developed
is better to build good roads. Now
by themselves we without the vast
surely there are other social areas
overhead of space projects. As
which cry for public investment.
measured against competitive sci-
Where is the space end-product
entific needs, space science, like
which overrides new schools,
military space applications are
cheap housing, medicare or any
Hoboken via the Pole.
number of alternative disiderata,
But someone will certainly say,
What of scientific purposes? To
"we may find out something won-
quote Professor Warren Weaver,
erfully unexpeçted in space.' We
past President of the American
certainly may. However, research
Association for the Advancement
managers know that better results
of Science:
most scientists
are had by probing areas of sug-
consider the proposed expendi-
gestive interest rather than by in-
tures unjustified on grounds of
quiring blindly. Scientists like
scientific considerations; and also
treasure hunters employ clues and
consider the frantic pace
to be
probabilities. They cannot profit-
wasteful." Weaver's assessment
ably just dive at random in the
is just. In terms of scientific re-
ocean.
search, the space venture is un-
These are the official explan-
balanced. It will and must detract
ations, Singly or jointly they are
NASA's Explorer 17 Satellite tested first on MB equipment.
from many other scientific fields
insufficient. Moreover, they fall
The 405-lb. satellite is unusual in many respects. It contains
of immediate concern to man's
short both for America and for the
a mass spectrometer and other ultra-sensitive instruments
welfare. First among these are the
Soviet Union. With a national pro-
life and political disciplines. To
duct less than ours with ambitious
capable of making precise measurements of the atmosphere at
the satellite's orbital altitudes, which vary from 150 to 575
these we must look for progress
economic plans and capital strin-
miles. It is also the first satellite to have an all stainless steel
against hunger and hyper-popula-
gencies, Moscow's space venture
shell, The shell, 35 inches in diameter, is only 0.025 in. thick,
tions. Vital terrestial dilemmas
is pari pasu even less reasonable
polished to a mirror finish, (Courtesy of MB Electronics.)
must be solved long before inter-
than Washington's.
planetary travel can offer any es-
Still, we must anticipate anoth-
cape from them. Already there
er point. "We're both going into
Cold War triumph we could have
nations rally towards space-ex-
have been complaints over indus-
space for prestige, for standing
by merely sacrificing our deep
ploring communism or beneficient
try, the research institutes and
and influence in the world. Here
space effect and diverting money
Westernism? There is only one
universities being stripped to meet
is a favorite rationale of the in-
saved to foreign aid! "The Soviets
answer. Similarly, the Soviet Union
NASA's voracious appetite for
tellectuals. But one rarely men-
go to the moon," might be our
could steal a grand march upon
technical manpower. True, as Vice
tioned by responsible officials, It
slogan "but we give factories,
us by the same volte-face. So much
President Johnson points out, re-
is just too ridiculous. Imagine the
hospitals, colleges." Would the
for the shallow, thoughtless argu-
18
19
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
ment from prestige.
What evidence do we have for
One would think from ananaly-
such a shocking conclusion. The
sis of the given reasons for the
evidence is the witness of thou-
space programs that the leaders
sands of people. People who have
of the United States and the Soviet
seen alien space craft. People
Union are a little foolish or a
who have seen them clearly, close-
little crazy. Some have been edg-
ly and unmistakably. Radar opera-
ing toward this conclusion. More,
tors, pilots, sailors, groundlings
however, are vaguely puzzledover
unnumbered have observed, heard
the reasons for the great space
and even felt them. Accounts have
drive. They sense something odd
appeared, and still appear, in
and difficient in them, a gulf be-
newspapers around the world -
tween return and investment, be-
hundreds of accounts. And the
tween promise and possibility.
official reaction - laughter and
Of course, our leaders are not
ridicule,
fools or madmen. They know quite
In this country at least two
well the weaknesses in all revealed
highly reputable groups have tried
reasons for space exploration.
to tell the public the truth. Both
They know (just as we should
contain a large number of sci-
know) that there is another reason,
entists and even retired military
one that is never breathed official-
personal. Both are very different
ly. We are not the first in space.
from the carefully contrived image
For years our earth has been
of the typical "Flying Saucer"
under scrutiny from another plan-
fan club: a collection of cracked-
et. We have been observed by
pots. Then National Investigations
another world, by an unknown race,
Committee on Aerial Phenomena
with unknown intentions and ori-
(NICAP) is headquartered in Wash-
gins. Before World War II this
ington, D.C. Its members have
scrutiny was occasional (even cas-
held key posts in the armed forces
ual;) but after the atom bomb and
and the intelligence community.
the V-2, it has become intense
They have directed secret official
and continuous. This is fact, not
inquiries. They believe that the
fiction, This is why both we and
objects are real and extra-mun-
Russia are going into space. We
dane, and in their private capacity
are trying to find the source of
as citizens they believe that the
our visitors, perhaps eventually
public should be told about them,
to try to deny them access to
For example, a NICAP director,
earth, perhaps (oh! greatest folly!)
Rear Admiral D.H. Fehrney, for-
to build an interplanetary deter-
merly chief of naval missile de-
Spacesuits and Computers used in combination with a simpli-
rent,
velopment, has said publicly: "Re-
fied mockup of NASA's Apollo moonship. (Courtesy of Honeywell)
20
21
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
liable reports indicate there are
been a space ship," or Col. D.J.
objects coming into our atmos-
Blakeslee, USAF, or Maj. J.B.
phere at very high speeds and the
Smith or Capt. McLaughlin ad
way they change their position
infinitum. They have told us that
would indicate their motion is
extra mundane life and its artifacts
directed". Another group of unim-
are a reality, not just a remote
peachable professional and fictious
statistical possiblity, but an
40136
is the Aerial Phenomena Research
established, present datum. And
Organization of Tucson, Arizona.
they have been met by amusement.
APRO is heavily weighted with dis-
What is the history of this
tinguished scientific talent, and
unique affair? We can only give a
has reached the same conclusion:
few highlights,
The U.F.O. are foreign space craft.
In 1944-1945 many allied and
Yet these views, based either on
axis fliers saw miniature spheres
inside data or special scientific
nick-named "foo-fighters," Ap-
competence are almost totally un-
parently under purposeful control,
known and ignored by the public
they caused no harm.
at large.
In 1946 flights of unidentified
Ignored also are a multitude of
rockets passed over the Scandin-
first hand accounts such as that
avian peninsula, The Swedish De-
of Flight Lt. J.R. Salandin, RAF,
fense Staff was baffled.
whose jet nearly collided with a
In 1947 a great reconnaissance
disk-shaped, turreted machine, "It
of earth was begun from space.
looked metallic, it was traveling
Hundreds of disk- and rocket-
APOLLO TEST --- A modified Air Force C-133A transport
at tremendous speed," or the re-
shaped vehicles scanned the entire
globe. One encounter was with
is being used for flight test drop program for full-scale models
port of Maj. L.F. Baker, USAF,
who with other Air Force per-
Mr. Kenneth Arnold, who sighted
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Apollo
a cluster of craft near Mt. Rainier
command module, Photo shows Apollo boilerplate test vehicle
sonnel saw six objects which ap-
peared "
circular, shiny like
in Washington state. The date was
in drop position in cargo loading opening on underside of C-133A.
aluminum, They changed course
June 24, 1947. During the re-
(Courtesy of Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc.)
instantaneously," or Captain W.B.
maining week in June the news-
Nash, Pan American Air Ways,
papers in the Pacific Northwest
tration of space vehicles appeared.
intelligence saw a huge object
who with his co-pilot saw eight
and Rocky Mountain region, the
Typical of reports sent to the Air
shaped like "the fuselage of a
large disks maneuver below his
Seattle Post Intelligencer, the Den-
Technical Intelligence Center
B-29' rush by.
plane: "I believe they were con-
ver Post, the Spokane Chronicle,
(ATIC) at Wright-Patterson Field,
In 1952 the greatest number of
trolled machines from outer
the Salt Lake Tribune, recorded
Dayton, Ohio was one by the crew
U.F.O. ever reported came over
space," or Captain J. Havend,
dozens of similar metallic disks.
of a Mid-Continent Airlines DC-3
this country. On December 10, for
BOAC, who with his crew and
In 1948-49 sightings continued
about to take off from Sioux City,
example, an F-94 chased a large,
passengers saw a huge UFO and
all over the world.
Iowa in July 1951. The pilot, CO-
round, white "thing" with a red
six small ones: "It must have
In 1950-55 a very heavy concen-
pilot and a colonel from military
light shining through two windows.
22
23
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
When the fighter attempted to close
curity, his Report On the Unidenti-
in, the object would reverse direc-
fied Objects is none-the-less a
tion and escape.
remarkable document.
In the years since 1954 regu-
Ruppelt tells us that on Septem-
lar, but pacific, observation of all
ber 24, 1947 the Air Technical
countries has been conducted from
Intelligence Center (ATIC) advised
space. Reports may be multiplied
the Commanding General of the
almost without end. From Level-
Army Air Force that "the reported
land, Texas in 1957 an AP story
phenomena are real. The con-
begins "Dozens of persons in this
clusion was based on a tentative
west Texas area told of spotting
study and the ATIC requested a
a big, brightly lighted phantom ob-
full-scale investigation. Sometime
ject squat in roadways and take to
in 1948 the results of this study
the air. James D. Long
re-
were prepared. Intelligence offi-
ported the object, 200 feet long and
cers at Dayton had beenexpecially
shaped like an egg "cut off the
struck by an incident involving
engine and lights on his truck
two Eastern Air Lines pilots, C.S.
And in 1962: Captain Gordon
Chiles and J.B. Whitted, who had
Pendleton of Aer Lingus flying
seen a torpedo-like U.F.O. with
Wales on May 21 saw a U.F.O.
"Two rows of windows from which
"quite clearly." It
appeared
bright lights glowed" dash by their
to be round, and had a number of
plane. From its rear trailed a
projections
Pendleton said
"50 foot
orange-red flame.'
the object was
In Captain Ruppelt's words:
This is an artist's concept of the Saturn V space booster
moving at
600 knots.' In July a Reuters
the people at ATIC decided that
being moved from a Marshall Space Flight Center assembly
dispatch from Buenos Aires told
the time had arrived to make an
building on a unique ground transporter which Marshall Center
of "cigar-shaped or saucer-
Estimate of the Situation. The
engineers have designed. In tow, the 33-foot diameter booster
shaped" objects in formation. They
situation was the U.F.O.'s; the
and its tractor will be about 195 feet long. The first transporter
were seen in several parts of the
estimate was that they were inter-
will be ready for use at MSFC late this year. (NASA-Marshall
country.
planetary." It contained the Air
Photo)
Behind the scenes, the appear-
Force's analysis of many inci-
ance of extra-mundane visitors has
dents, all of them from "scien-
For over a decade the public
believe it. For example, Captain
caused frantic activity in govern-
tists, pilots and other creditable
has been told the truth about our
Ruppelt tells us that the Air Tech-
mental, military and scientific cir-
observers
Quite a story.
elusive space visitors, In fact, we
nical Intelligence Center's 1948
cles, A part of the story of the
Could it conceivably bore the read-
have been told the opposite of the
estimate of alien space penetration
last 15 years has been told by the
er? Apparently it did the reviewer
truth, We have been deceived in a
was destroyed, burned, When ques-
late Edward J. Ruppelt, an Air
of the New York Times, Mr. Leon-
great matter, And much of the
tioned about the validity of his
Force officer who was in charge
ard, who called it the "longest
deception is SO transparent that it
statement, governmental repre-
of a technical inquiry about U.F .0.
and dullest of the current crop of
is incredible that anyone should
sentatives will answer that no such
While written through heavy se-
saucer books."
25
24
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
report "exists," which of course
again mistaken for a great metallic
is the one if it was burned. Or they
disk. Brilliantly lit mirages have
will concede that while some per-
hung a few feet over observers,
sonnel may have entertained sucha
and even cut off the lights on their
possibility, the "Aerospace Tech-
autos. Long-service air line pilots
nical Intelligence Center" never
have been SO drunk they have
made such an official estimate. A-
"seen things.' Groups of scores
gain, periodic "Fact Sheets" are
of persons have had mass de-
issued summarizing the alleged
lusions of perfect sameness, con-
results of U.F.O. investigations.
sistency and detail. No prepos-
The latest of these, bearing the
terousness seems to be too much.
legend of the Department of De-
Of course, it is naive to criti-
fense, solemnly asserts that there
cize the Air Force for a program
is no "data to indicate that these
which it has not originated and
unidentified sightings were extra-
of which many of its leaders may
terrestrial vehicles under intelli-
not even approve. National policy
gent control," and that they repre-
on such a cosmic scale must be
sent "no threat to the national
laid down by the highest civilian
security." But it still asks those
authority, that is, by the Presi-
who feel "they possess evidence
dent, his chief aides, senior Sen-
that would prove or tend to prove
ators and Congressmen. If-the air
the existence of extra-terrestrial
generals and their myrmidones
vehicles operating within the
have not told us the truth, it is
because they have been told not
The first separation, as we see here, is when the booster
earth's nearspace envelope, to
to do so, It is civilian authority
separates from the remaining stage and Apollo capsule. The
submit their evidence for analy-
sis." And the "Fact Sheet" in-
that sets policy towards our in-
Apollo is not only an extension of the Mercury-man-in-space
terplanetary visitors, and it is the
program, it has other capabilities. For instance, men can use
structs "Anyone witnessing anun-
it to observe the surface and environment of the moon before
identified flying object sighting
Administration and Congress
whom we should hold accountable
a manned landing takes place. (Courtesy of National Aeronautics
should report it to the nearest
if that policy is wrong.
and Space Administration.)
military base as soon as possible.
Why spend tens of thousands of
How can this thought control
dollars yearly to study something
with precedent in our country in
itors seem to be asked to with-
news magazines rarely carry
which doesn't exist? Why ask
practice possibly succeed? To a
hold, minimize or withdraw news
them; if they do, it is almost
people to report nothing?
degree the truth is self-censoring.
or commentary. Authentic sight-
always on an inside page, and
But most astonishing are the
The reality is too incredible for
ings continue to be legion in the
with a misleadingly jocular head-
answers SO glibly offered officially
most to accept. Yet further, that
local press throughout the non-
line. The Reuters dispatch quoted
for most unconventional sights.
it has not found its proper level
communist world, but they only
before from Argentina was car-
Balloons have been seen traveling
recognition is also due to a great
rarely come over the wire ser-
ried in an early edition of the
at over a thousand miles per
deal of tampering with the press
vices, The large newspapers and
New York Times, but was dropped
hour. Venus has been again and
and open scientific discussion, Ed-
27
26
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
from later widely-read editions.
order." Professor Lasswell never
"Bumping" is the normal fate of
developed this intriguing thought,
such accounts - often they are
and is very reluctant even to dis-
deleted after the first city edition.
cuss it.
A second means of idea con-
The intelligence service which
trol involves both persons and
is charged with suppressing public
media of high repute or visibility.
awareness of the U.F.O. is es-
It is typical for a lone statement
pecially concerned to see that
on U.F.O. to be made by a noted
interest in them does not become
man or woman - followed by si-
associated with names of good
lence. A pattern is evident. The
scientific standing. Undoubtedly
expression of curiosity, or sugges-
journals have been asked not to
tion that there may be something
publish workable articles on the
to the phenomena, will appear in a
subject. Further, the author knows
specialized publication or in the
personally of at least two books
general press - but no further views
written by outstanding scientists
or comments are ever forthcom-
which were dropped by publishers
ing. The eminent personage seems
at the last minute, and after both
to lose all concern with the sub-
had been explicitly commissioned.
ject, Even letters are unanswered
One of these was by a distinguished
or answered evasively. For ex-
young life scientist, another by a
ample, in April 1958, Harold D.
leading German rocketdesigner,
Lasswell of the Yale Law School
The picture which emerges,
lectured on "Man in Space" at a
is one of Quasi-voluntary censor-
Beech Apollo Cryogenics Storage Subsystem. The Cryogenic
meeting of the New York Academy
ship. Instances may be endlessly
Storage Subsystem forms the heart of the environmental control
of Sciences, A noted constitutional
multiplied; The censors operate
and electric power systems. It stores, controls and delivers -
lawyer and political scientist, he
on the theory that if professional
from an ultra-cold liquid to a gaseous state - the oxygen and
ended his remarks by saying: "The
leaders are stilled as soon as they
hydrogen required for life support and power generating equip-
foregoing rests, of course, on the
show any interest in U.F.O., their
ment during long Apollo missions. (Courtesy of Beech Aircraft
assumption that earth's inhabitants
lesser colleagues will remain ig-
Corp.)
will be able to execute programs
norant, or will at least be cowed
of the kind under discussion, which
into silence, Further, the truth
is no foregone conclusion. The im-
will never attract the serious at-
conclusive case for alien space
revolution. Two vital issues are
plications of the unidentified flying
tention of the press or public,
craft, and seeming - but only
at stake: one legal, the other prag-
objects (U.F.O.) may be that we are
both of which depend upon the ex-
seeming - lack of reputable sci-
matic. The electorate, and only it,
already viewed with suspicion by
perts for their opinions, The de-
entific interest in it,
has the right of choice in matters
more advanced civilizations and
sired result is to push entire topic
of ultimate national policy. To be
that our attempts to gain a foot-
down into the intellectual demi-
But the question of questions
sure, we have a representative
hold elsewhere may be rebuffed as
monde, And the theory works well.
is whether or not we should be
system ... we select our rulers.
a threat to other systems of public
told. The balance of risks lies with
But we select them to follow our
It accounts for the paradox of a
29
28
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
perceive them? Such expectations
over-protected from reality. Even
general mandate. Representative
the electorate determine: Are we to
are for children. You can hardly
a may cause
government cannot be made an
enter a domain already occupied
humbug someone millions of years
alarm in a society emotionally
excuse for denying the public this
by unknown beings, with unknown
beyond you.
unready for it, Carl Jung once
prerogative. And to do SO by con-
intentions?
In the late 1940's and early
said in this very connection that
triving at mass ignorance is as
There are, today, voices which
1950's there may have been good
the best way to dispel fear of an
serious as denying it by force.
can only whisper: "It would be
temporary grounds for conceal-
unknown is to dispel its mystery.
Our elected officials are respon-
better to wait, to delay, not to
ing the fact that unknown space
Those who maintain this silence
sible to us for its acts and policies.
seem precipitous in entering
craft were about the earth. No
should consider that the plan to
But how are we to hold them ac-
space". "We may distress or
more than the person, can the
guard the public from panic may
countable if we are not told es-
make fearful our visitors." "To
state cry fire in a crowded hall.
prepare the way for a large panic,
sential facts or considerations?
act hastily bespeaks fear, and
Yet when a lack of gross hostil-
for greater social dislocation. To
How are we to approve them or
fear bespeaks enmity. "It might
even be wise to let the Soviets
ity was shown by time, secrecy
suppress knowledge by state
their policies, if we are not even
lost its only legitimate raison
power, by official deception, is an
told great issues exist? A free
go first, and see what happens."
d'etre. Since the late 1950's it
unnatural thing, and one bound
tradition of government cannot last
"Since we have been watched,
has been used to hide the meaning
eventually to fail. It is that sort
if any but the most temporary
overflown for years, and have not
of the space effort - a purpose
of "refined policy" which Edmond
exceptions are made to the rule of
been attacked, there may be little
against the spirit of our constitu-
Burke declares always leads to
final public approval. Neither is
to be gained by speed, only much
tional institutions.
final confusion.
private consent among the leaders
to be lost." "It might be best to
The second major argument for
Finally, warnings which have
of the major parties an alternative
save our treasure for terrestrial
openness and disclosure is practi-
come from the social sciences
for it; the political opposition is
needs - and possibly gain more
cal and pragmatic, It may be that
are almost certainly alarmists. A
not co-extensive with the elector-
cosmic respect for doing so,"
we on earth are the subjects of
report of the Brookings Institution,
ate, nor is it a substitute reposi-
These voices are stiffled by se-
some long-term alien plan. What
suggest grave social consequences
tory for its prerogatives.
curity regulations, They should be
it may be we can only guess:
to follow from the discovery of
Unhappily, the courts have not
allowed to express their views
though some ingenious guesses
highly- evolved life beyond the
given enough guidance inthe realm
openly.
have been made, Someday - per-
earth. "Anthropological files con-
of official secrecy, A loss of
What reason does the Presi-
haps, sooner than we think - there
tain many examples of societies,
liberty has resulted from inade-
dent and Congress have for with-
may be intervention in our terres-
sure of their place in the uni-
quate constitutional definition
holding knowledge from the public
trial affairs. At worst there may
verse, which have disintegrated
here. Still, official secrecy can
that is well known on the other
be invasion, better perhaps a pro-
when they came to associate with
only be justified to keep data
side *** in this case, on the other
tectorship. More probably, limits
previously unfamiliar societies
from an enemy or a possible
world? Our visitors know they
may be set to our exploration of
espousing different ideas and dif-
enemy. But there is little evidence
are here! Further, they must cer-
ferent ways of life
It has
space, or to our research in cer-
that our visitors are enemies,
tainly know that we know they are.
tain techno-scientific fields. But if
been speculated that, of all groups,
and there is much evidence that
here. Can we possibly hope to
the people are unprepared for such
scientists and engineers might be
they are not. True, they may be-
sneak out into space without their
events, there may be a nasty
the most devastated by the dis-
come hostile as we probe into
realizing that we are responding
social reaction should they occur,
covery of relatively superior crea-
outer space. This is one of the
to their presence? Do we really
A serious morale problem could
tures, since these professions are
great issues which the public
think to have some advantage by
cause many people who have been
most clearly associated with mas-
should be allowed to ponder and
pretending that we do not officially
31
30
tery of nature
With all
shown no such tendencies, They
respects, Dr, Brookings takes the
have even avoided all association
human spirit for too fragile a
with us. To be sure, special in-
structure. It is tougher than he
terests may eventually suffer:
thinks. A little realistic humility
capitalism may be gravely em-
does no harm. How much does
barrassed if socialism is the prin-
civilization owe to cultural bor-
cipal of higher communities;
rowing? Proof that man is not
Marxist materialism may be dis-
alone in the solar system, the
comforted if they turn out to be
loss of what Harlow Shapley calls
theologically minded, But why not
our "cosmic loneliness, will cer-
assume that in the last analysis
tainly have profound effects upon
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
extra-mundane contact will be
humanity's consciousness, effects
stimulating, uniting, enlightening
of which we can only form a dim
rather than destructive, deadening
conception. But why expect the
and devisive? In the over-view,
balance of these to be negative?
if change is to come, why not let
Where social collapse has occur-
it come naturally, without lies,
red in such circumstances it has
to the public, in the trust of
been the result of greed or brutal-
popular good sense and the re-
ity. Our elusive visitors have
sponsibility of higher species?
From: Flying Saucers, November 1963
UPO
331 Leatrice Lane #3
Anaheim, California 92802
APR
ANSD
April 29, 1966
Representative Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dear Representative Ford,
I endorse your idea for a Congressional investigation of UFO's. I am
convinced that the Air Force is no longer a useful organization for con-
ducting further probes, since they have conditioned the American public to
expect automatic ridicule which deters many people from reporting sightings
which could possibly be of interest. In my opinion, only large groups of
people who feel "safety in numbers" and those individuals who have not per-
ceived the derision they will certainly face are reporting UFO's. An
organization that would have the confidence of the people, such as a Con-
gressional committee, would probably receive thousands of individual reports
that would benefit the United States from the better picture of UFO's that
would unfold.
I have heard of three separate instances where small groups of five
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
or less have seen UFO's, but would not consider reporting them for they
knew what the result would be. Considering myself as a random sample, the
number of people who have seen UFO's and not reported them must be staggering.
A Congressional investigation is needed in order to obtain information that
would not otherwise be forthcoming, and then to report the facts to the
American people.
Very truly yours,
Raymond Spinh
Raymond Spink
UFO
Box 2971, Allen Pkwy. Village
Houston, Texas 77001
March 29, 1965
Congressman Gerald Ford
c/o House Office Bldg.
APRI- ANSD
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I wish to commend and support you in your far from timid stand in
calling for Congressional investigation of the unidentified flying object
situation.
As a member of NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial
Phenomena, 1536 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington 20036), I am aware
that previous whisperings in Congress in favor of open hearings on the
subject have been bollixed by military assurances that no light would be
shed by such hearings. I hope you will push hard for hearings now for the
following reasons:
1. Public appreciation of the facts and possibilities of U.F.O.'s is
greater than it has ever been. Since news of "flying saucers" began
to hit page one in the late '40's, every major period of news
coverage has ended quickly with a combination of Air Force pooh-
poohing and public ridicule over "I rode in a flying saucer"-type
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
stories. But since spring of 1964 the number of competent sighting
reports and public interest have remained consistently high, indica-
ting and degree of public maturity that has not been present before.
2. Awareness of the official Air Force whitewash of the UFO problem is
at an all-time high, particularly via criticism channelled through
editorial columns of daily papers around the country. These editors
have not suddenly become "flying saucer fans"; they've simply weighed
the evidence at hand against the crude treatment by the Air Force in
releasing explanations more unbelievable than the alien creature
hypothesis they are meant to replace in the public mind.
3. To help the scientific approach. I believe that the UFO problem
is important and difficult enough to warrant diligent study by the
world scientific community. Little less will suffice. Scientists are
interested today, but without goverenment support, and with the risk
of public censure, not organized effort has begun. A citizen's group
such as NICAP cannot give a coherent scientific picture, and don't
expect it to. No group of a few thousand citizens got a man in orbit.
4. To solve the political problem. Our biggest "flying saucer" problem
is political. If, as I believe is likely, something is out there
watching us, nothing less than a full release of our national imagin-
ation and scientific genius can be expected to begin to approach this
"unthinkable" problem. This release will not occur without support
from military and civilian aspects of government. A full hearing can
create these conditions, I pray.
Very truly yours,
michael O'Quin
Michael O'Quin