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John W. Campbell Jr.

Inside John W. Campbell: Based on his actual letters, 1936-1952

Author: Sam Moskowitz
Author: John W. Campbell
External link: 770.com
  

This final issue features an “autobiography” by John W. Campbell, Jr., based on twenty years of his correspondence, as edited and annotated by Sam Moskowitz. This is the final contribution of Sam Moskowitz to the history of science fiction, and was prepared as an enduring memorial to his work and his long friendship to A. Langley Searles.1

Notes

  1. Moskowitz, Sam; Searles, A. Langley (Ed.). (2011). Inside John W. Campbell: Based on his actual letters, 1936-1952. Fantasy Commentator (Memorial ed.). ↩︎

Article: Letters from the Birth of Dianetics (n.d.)

External link: Letters from the Birth of Dianetics
  

Those familiar with the life of L. Ron Hubbard as recounted in issues of the Ron Series will recall repeated references to the LRH trail of research through the latter 1940s. Generally touched upon are his 1945 endocrinological studies at an Oak Knoll naval hospital near San Francisco, his 1946 examination of narcosynthesis at a California Veterans Administration, his 1947 work with neurotics from the Hollywood film community and his 1948 treatment of the criminally insane in a Savannah, Georgia institution. Also routinely mentioned is Ron’s first formal description of results in a widely circulated “Original Thesis,” his presentation of discoveries to an American medical and psychiatric establishment, his rebuff from that establishment and, finally, his authoring of a broadly accessible Dianetics handbook in a beachfront rental in New Jersey. Never previously offered, however, is what appears here: the actual correspondence from which we draw so much of the color and detail found in the Ron Series.For example: from the literal road of discovery LRH traveled through these years, comes his most revealing letter to Russell Hays. An author, inventor and gentleman farmer, Hays had counted himself among Ron’s closest friends for more than two decades. Both shared an abiding fascination with primitive cultures, aeronautics and that terra incognita of the human mind — the subject of Ron’s letter here.

Next, and quite in addition to above-mentioned LRH letters to the American Medical and Psychiatric Associations, we offer Ron’s summary description of Dianetics to the Gerontological Society in Baltimore, Maryland. Of particular interest — and found nowhere else — is Ron’s reference to that Oak Knoll experimentation wherein former prisoners of war responded to hormonal therapy only after “the removal of early traumas” through Dianetic procedures.

Although much has been previously said regarding author-editor John W. Campbell’s publication of Ron’s “Evolution of a Science” in Astounding Science-Fiction, here is what Campbell himself had to say on the matter. Here, too, is J. W. Campbell on the forthcoming Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health and what he rightly foresaw as the backlash from a deeply flawed psychiatric community.

Finally, and for a rare LRH description of the actual Dianetics birthplace, comes a second telling note to Russell Hays from the “wilds” of Bay Head, New Jersey.1

Notes

  1. Letters from the Birth of Dianetics. (n.d.). traditionalhubbard.org. Retrieved 28 April 2010 from http://www.traditionalhubbard.org/page06.htm ↩︎

Report: Memorandum of Interview with Samuel Moskowitz (August 30, 1970)

Author: Charles H. Everline, Hearing Officer, CMB, NYK-21
View online: archive.org
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Founding Church of Scientology
MEMORANDUM OF INTERVIEW — AUGUST 30, 1970

Between Mr. Samuel Moskowitz, 361 Roseville Avenue, Newark New Jersey (Phone No. 201-HU-5-3298)
And: Mr. Charles H. Everline, Hearing Officer, CMB, NYK-21

By prior appointment, I visited Mr. Moskowitz at his home to discuss information he reportedly had concerning the early history of Mr. L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. Moskowitz had informed Mr. Bud Loftus that he first heard Mr. Hubbard at a meeting that the only way to make a million dollars was to form your own religion.

Mr. Moskowitz stated that the meeting referred to was held at the Slovak Circle Hall on Morris Avenue in Newark, New Jersey on November 7, 1948. That the meeting was held with Mr. Hubbard in attendance was verified by two reports. FANTASY TIMES 12-15-48 issue on Page 6 states that the Society held a meeting on November 7th with Mr. L. Ron Hubbard as guest speaker. The FANTASY ANNUAL 1948 issue on Page 54 contains a summary of the monthly meetings of the Eastern Science Fiction Society. This also, stated that Mr. Hubbard was guest speaker at the November meeting. Mr. Alex Osheroff, Treasurer at the time, has advised Mr. Moskowitz that the minutes of the November 7, 1948 meeting are in existence. These minutes show that during a question and answer period, Mr. Hubbard spoke on his work “EXCALIBUR”. It was during these remarks that the statement about forming your own religion was made. Twenty-three people were in attendance at the meeting. These included Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Osheroff, Mr. Alan Howard, Mr. Martin Greenberg and Mr. Oswald Train. The current addresses for Mr. Howard and Mr. Greenberg were not known by Mr. Moskowitz. Mr. Train is a publisher whose address is 1129 West Wingehocking Steet, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (phone no. DA 4-7738).

Following the meeting several of the people in attendance and Mr. Hubbard, went to the Hickory Grill and subsequently to Mr. Moskowitz’s home.While at the home, Mr. Train was hypnotized by Hubbard in an attempt to treat Mr. Train’s stuttering problem. Mr. Moskowitz had offered to pay Hubbard $100 if he could cure or even improve Mr. Train’s speech impediment. Mr. Hubbard was unsuccessful.

Mr. Hubbard did not attend any other meetings of the Society and Mr. Moskowitz was not in attendance at any other meetings where Mr. Hubbard may have spoken about forming your own religion.

We then discussed various other associates who might be familiar with Mr. Hubbard during the 1946 to 1955 time period. During these conversations, Mr. Moskowitz supplied the following names and addresses.

  1. Mr. John W. Campbell
    1457 Orchard Road
    Mountainside, New Jersey
    (Phone No. AD 3-3420)Mr. Campbell was the publisher of “Amazing Science Fiction” and was the first person to hire Mr. Hubbard as a writer. He currently is employed by “Analog Science Fiction”. He may have information concerning Mr. Hubbard from 1938 to around 1952.
  2.  Mr. A. E. van Vogt
    7089 Hawthorn
    Los Angeles, California
    (Phone No. 463-7377)Mr. van Vogt is a writer who became involved in “Dianetics”. He set up the Los Angeles Dianetics Center around June or July 1950. He since has become disillusioned with Mr. Hubbard.
  3. Mr. Arthur J. Cox — current address unknown. Mr. Cox is a friend of Mr. van Vogt and wrote a two-part article on van Vogt which appeared in the “Science Fiction Advertiser”. The second of the two articles appeared in the July 1952 issue. The editor of this booklet  was Mr. Edward Ludwig. In the second article, Mr. Cox refers to various letters from Hubbard to van Vogt discussing “EXCALIBUR” and “Dianetics”. The article also mentions that Hubbard was present at the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society on several occasions in 1948. The minutes of these meetings are reported in Shangri-la issues Nos. 5, 6 and 7. The one of primary interest is the April 15, 1948 meeting which is reported in Shangri-la No. 6 on Page 9. A copy of this page is attached for the record.1
  4. Forest Ackerman — L. Ron Hubbard’s agent still living somewhere in California but his current address is unknown.
  5. Mr. William Blackbeard — Mr. Blackbeard wrote an article entitled “Pip-squeak Prometheus Some Remarks on the Writings of L. Ron Hubbard”. This article originally appeared in 1948 in a local Journal2 and later was republished with some changes in the October 1962 issue of “Inside” starting on Page 23.3 Mr. Moskowitz has a copy of this article. It is an interesting analysis of Hubbard as a writer and also mentions the E meter.

Mr. Moskowitz also has in his possession a copy of the book entitled “Self Analysis in Scientology” copyright 1952 by L. Ron Hubbard; second printing 1953. I did not recall seeing this book during the early investigations of Scientology. In addition, there is an article in the November 1970 issue of “Amazing Science Fiction” entitled “Dianetics – a personal report by Barry Molzberg.

Mr. Moskowitz stated that when Mr. Hubbard went into “Dianetics and subsequently Scientology”, he did not keep track of him because this did not deal with science fiction. He does have a file on “Dianetics” and one on “Scientology”. Most of the information in these files are clippings from magazines and newspapers. The majority of these are personal opinion articles either pro or con on “Dianetics” and “Scientology”. They add very little, if anything, to information already at hand.

Mr. Moskowitz stated he will continue to look through his files in an effort to uncover another meeting at which he thought Hubbard made the same remark about forming your own religion.  Should he encounter the report on this, he will contact me. It appears Mr. Moskowitz’s prime value is as a historian who has available early articles concerning Mr. Hubbard’s movements and contacts.

[Signed]
Charles H. Everline

CHE/pcg

cc: BD-310/Attn: B. Loftus
w/attachments
(P.O. Box 1647)

Notes

  1. Minutes Shangri-la ↩︎
  2. 1948: Pipsqueak Prometheus: Some Remarks on the Writings of L. Ron Hubbard ↩︎
  3. Pipsqueak Prometheus: Some Remarks on the Writings of L. Ron Hubbard. (Revised and republished in Inside, October 1962. ↩︎

BBB Report: Re: L. Ron Hubbard, Dianetics Or Scientology (October 30, 1953)

Author: Ralph Hinman
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October 30, 1953

Re: L. Ron Hubbard
Dianetics or Scientology

This is an attempt in a factual way to bring you up to date on the subjects of our bulletins dated March 1, 1952 and its supplement dated May 280 1952, which were sent to all Bureaus. (We have a few extra copies of each.)

Use Pages, 2 and 3 of March 1, 1952 for background material, including description of dianetics taken from Hubbard.

The Original Hubbard Dianetics Foundation Inc., a Kansas corporation, of which Hubbard was a principal, is completely washed up through bankruptcy.

Its assets were acquired through the trustee by another corporation headed by Don Purcell, a Wichita business man of good repute as to business integrity. It now operates along lines described on pages 2 and 3 above, giving “treatments” and training “auditors”.

Public inquiry regarding dianetics in Wichita should he answered according to the above) keeping in mind the fact that Hubbard is not connected with this foundation, and that this is simply one of the numerous institutions of the kind (see below).

Hubbard College did not really get into operation before it was sold to a woman promoter who, for your information only has since been returned to a state institution for the insane.

Wichita Bureau has no information as to the whereabouts or activities of Hubbard. In December, 1952 he was reported in Philadelphia, Where newspapers carried a story as to how two deputy U. S. marshals in attempting to serve a summons on Hubbard in a bankruptcy case, presumably of the original Hubbard Dianetics Foundation in New York and New Jersey, were beaten up.

It should be kept in mind in dealing with this subject that although Hubbard was the founder of so-called dianetics and is usually given a build-up in any publicity, there are now a number of practitioners throughout the country who may once have had some connection with Hubbard or may stem from some of the other set-ups that have since sprung into existence. Whether or not such operators have the sanction of Hubbard does not seem to us to be important, for obvious reasons.

Names of practitioners given us some time ago include the following:

Doris Graffam, 2 West Oaks, South Drive, Houston, Texas.

Idella Stone, Hubbard Dianetic Service Center, 2663 E, Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 8, Calif.;

Hubbard Dianetic Center, A. E. Van Vogt, 7175 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.

Dianetics Center of Seattle, 202 Columbia Bldg., 1516 2nd St., Seattle.

House of Shebron, Inc., 111 S. 16th Ave., Nampa, Idaho.

Minneapolis Dianetics Inc:, 2449 Humboldt Ave. S. Minneapolis, Minn.

Dianetics Twin Cities Inc., 800 Washington Ave. S. E. Minneapolis 14, Minn.

We were also given the names of the following as being interested in or favorable to dianetics:

Dr. E. E. Rogers, M. D. 2381 W. 10th, Vancouver, B. C.

John W. Campbell, Ph.D., nuclear physicist, Orchard Rd.  Mountain Side, N.J.

Page 2 — Better Business Bureau Inc., Wichita, Kansas 10-30-53

Mrs. Nan McCurdy, Ph D. (husband is M.D.) 122 Ninorca, Coral Gables; Fla.

Dr. Gordon Beckstead (M.D.?) Phys. & Surgeons Bldg., Phoenix, Ariz.

Dr. Paul Gleason, M.D., Chief of Staff, Salem General Hosp., Lectonia, Ohio

None of the above have been contacted or verified by this Bureau.

Spokane BBB identifies an “Institute of Scientology” or “College of Dianetics” in that city, and refers to similar outfit in Seattle, probably the one referred to above, and has been told that there are several in Portland.

Spokane’s informant referred to the use and sale of a device he called Mathison Quiz Meter, and also referred to it as an “Electropsychometer.” Time Magazine in December 1952, carried an article about Hubbard and his “new science of mental therapy called scientology” with a picture of Hubbard working on one of his “patients” with a device that he called “electropsychometer.” The picture is said to resemble a device he used in Wichita in pre-bankruptcy days when he called it an “electrodynameter.” It is supposed to locate disturbing incidents that occurred in a person!s past, which is the basis of his treatment as described in our bulletin of March 1, 1952.

Personally speaking: Returning to our office after an absence of about two months we are “moved” to get out this bulletin instead of devoting the time to trying to clear up our desk, by receipt of copies of some inter-Bureau correspondence on the subject, reminding us that quite some time ago we had covenanted with ourself that we would try to bring this thing up to date on as nearly a factual basis as possible for us to do.

Particularly “moving” are the statements made to the Spokane Bureau by the secretary-treasurer of the Spokane Institute of Scientology, especially about Hubbard, which we feel have very little foundation in fact.

However, in our opinion dianetics or scientology or whatever they may call it next, is a subject that Bureaus will be asked about in increasing volume, probably far exceeding that regarding the now deceased “Archbishop of Moscow”, and there will be, according to our experience already, this difference in the quality of the inquirers:

The folks who ask you about dianetics will be mostly in a higher bracket mentally — college or partially college-trained, business and professional people who are frustrated and confused — as who isn’t!  It is quite probable that it will be played up extensively as a treatment for alcoholism, and of course there is always the possibility that it will get a big play in connection with all sorts of mental diseases, including insanity. We call your particular attention to the statement of Hubbard (in our first bulletin) that “we (dianetics) are out to replace medicine in three years.” Hubbard’s misadventures financially have doubtless slowed his progress personally, but the idea seems to be gaining.

In view of these possible developments it seems important that Bureaus be in a position to deal with the subject factually, and we hope that the three bulletins we have issued, with those from other Bureaus, will provide a start in that direction. As of now, our policy in handling public inquiries on the subject sums up about like this:

(a) We are not in a position, and do not conceive it to be our proper function as a Better Business Bureau to attempt to evaluate the claims made by and for dianetics; (b) in an age when the Buck Rogers of today is the Thomas A. Edison of tomorrow, we wouldn’t want to close our mind on any possibility; and (c) give the inquirer the facts as nearly as they can be established and let that be the limit of our activity on the subject.

Ralph Hinman

Letter: FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Dr. E. S. Hallinger (with note re: C. Parker Morgan) (March 21, 1951)

Author: FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover
File/Ref. No.: 62-94080; 17-cv-03842-A (18-19); 62-HQ-94080
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March 21, 1951

Dr. E. S. Hallinger
Secretary, New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
28 West State Street
Trenton 8, New Jersey

Dear Dr. Hallinger:

Your letter dated March 14, 1951, has been received.

In the very near future a representative of our Newark Office will contact you concerning the matters mentioned in your communication.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

[…]

ATTENTION SAC: It is requested that you advise Dr. Hallinger of the confidential nature of the Bureau’s files and the fact that a policy established for the v Bureau precludes furnishing information. You should advise. him, however, that a person named Charles Parker Morgan with a residence in Elisabeth, New Jersey, is a former Special Agent of this bureau. He entered on duty as a Special Agent On April 7, 1941, and continued until July 29, 1943, on which date his services were terminated. You may wish to point out that Mr. Morgan failed to develop as a Special Agent and his resignation
was requested.

For your own information, no identifiable information was located in Bufiles concerning the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation, Inc. and no derogatory information was identifiable with the other individuals mentioned in Dr. Hallinger’s communication. In view of the date set for the trial, it is suggested that this matter receive immediate attention.

ROK:mcq (See [redacted]]

NOTE: Charles Parker Morgan entered on duty as a Special Agent 4-7-41 and his services were terminated on June 29, 1943. The reason given was unsatisfactory efficiency report submitted by the SAC at Kansas City.

ONI in 1943, was informed of his resignation and the reason which prompted the request for his resignation. In 1943, a letter was received from the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation and data concerning Morgan’s employment was furnished. The reason for his resignation was not given.

His personnel file reflects administrative action on two occasions. While on confidential assignment out of the country) it was pointed out that he used extremely poor judgment and utter lack of discretion which were the causes of comment and embarrassment to the Bureau.

No identifiable information was located in Bufiles concerning Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation, Inc.

One L. Ron Hubbard, in 1940, furnished, information of a security nature, to our New York Office. No other identifiable information located in Bufiles concerning the other individuals mentioned.

Letter: Dr. E. S. Hallinger, Secretary Department of Law and Public Safety to FBI (March 14, 1951)

Author: Dr. E. S. Hallinger, Secretary
File/Ref. No.: 62-94080; 62-HQ-94080; 17-cv-03842-A
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The Board has a case against the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation Incorporated coming on for trial in the Union County District Court in Elizabeth on March 27th, for conducting a school teaching a branch of medicine and surgery without a license.