Memorandum: Institute of Scientology; College of Dianetics (October 28, 1953)

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF PHILADELPHIA, INC.
1417 Sansom Street, Philadelphia 2 RI 6-9820

October 28, 1953

SPOKANE BUREAU
M. Ferrell, Mgr.

Re: INSTITUTE OF SCIENTOLOGY
COLLEGE OF DIANETICS

Dear Mrs. Ferrell:

This will acknowledge your letter of October 22, 1953, addressed to the Philadelphia Bureau, inquiring about the activities of L. Ron Hubbard, together with such dianetic or scientologic activity that may be existing in Philadelphia, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Los Angeles, National (New York), and Wichita.

We have no record of any institution known as the Institute of Scientology.

We have no record of an institution known as COLLEGE OF DIANETICS. There is however, a listing in the telephone directory -“Dianetic Center, 2006 Walnut Street. While there is a listing in the phone book, we have never received an inquiry about it, nor a complaint from anyone regarding its activity.

We do not know whether L. Ron Hubbard is connected with this Dianetic Center or not. It is very likely that he had something to do with this organization, and of course may still be connected with it.

Since last December, we have heard of no activity by Hubbard. On December 17, 1952, the Legal Intelligencer (a legal newspaper in Philadelphia) published the following item

“Ancillary Petition Filed
“The Hubbard Dianetic Foundation, Inc. 23747; Cause no.
379 B-2, United States District Court for the District
of Kansas, K. B. Wolfe, B. Fertik, attorneys.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer, on December 17th, 1952 published the following news item:

“2 U. S. MARSHALS BEATEN WHILE SERVING WARRANT
“Two deputy U. S. marshals suffered minor injuries yesterday in a scuffle when a woman and two men tried to obstruct the serving of a warrant in a building on 16th St. near Vine.

“Three persons, who the deputies said tried to prevent them from serving the warrant, were arrested after one of the Federal agents, John J. Gericke, had to draw his gun. Later they were arraigned before U. S. Commissioner, Henry P. Carr, in the Federal Building and held in bail for the grand jury.

THREE HELD IN BAIL

“Arrested were Mrs. Helen O’Brien, also known by her maiden name of Helen Naugerbaum, who was held in $1000; her husband, John O’Brien, reputed owner of the 16th St. building, who was held $1500 bail, and Ernest Kish, of Summer St. near 16th St. Kish’s bail was set at $2500. The O’Brien’s gave an address on Mole St. near Race.

“According to Gericke, he and Levi P. Gordon, went to serve the warrant on L. Ron Hubbard, 41, founder of Dianetic Mental Health Movement, to appear as a witness in a bankruptcy case being heard before Judge Alan K. Grim today.

“As they entered the building, Gericke said, he and Gordon learned that Hubbard was on the second floor lecturing to about 20 persons. Gericke and Gordon said they went upstairs past Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien and met Kish who struggled with them. A few minutes later the lecture audience began milling about them, the marshals said. Gericke drew his gun and quieted the crowd.

BANKRUPTCY CASE

”In the scuffle both marshals were bruised on the head and face and had their shirts torn. A patrol wagon from the 20th & Buttonwood Station took the O’Briens and Kish to the Federal Building. The deputies took Hubbard there when he was released for appearance as a witness in the bankruptcy case today.

“Hubbard, who became prominent two years ago as the founder of the mental health movement which he called dianetics, gave his address as the Explorers Club, New York City. He also is known as a civil engineer, mathematician, philosopher and science-fiction writer.”

We assume that the bankruptcy proceedings of the Hubbard associates proceeded on schedule.

All appears to be quiet on the mental front in Philadelphia. This is not to imply, however, that mental institutions have not been receiving their normal quotas of new customers throughout the state and area.

Yours very truly,
GAIL B. USSERY
Special Representative

CC–SEATTLE BBS
Vancouver
Portland
Los Angeles
Wichita