Documents / Hearing transcript
This is the printed record of a July 29, 1968 symposium on unidentified flying objects held by the Committee on Science and Astronautics of the U.S. House of Representatives, chaired by Rep. J. Edward Roush. The committee heard statements from six scientists: J. Allen Hynek, James E. McDonald, Carl Sagan, Robert L. Hall, James A. Harder and Robert M. L. Baker. It also printed papers from Donald Menzel, Stanton Friedman, Frank Salisbury and others. Hynek argued that puzzling UFO reports from competent witnesses deserve serious scientific study.
“Scientific American”26 pages
119 relativity, in the past decade. There are theoretical grounds for believ- ing there must exist a second gravitational field, corresponding to the magnetic field in electromagnetic theory, and that the interaction be- tween these two fields must be similar to that between the electric and magnetic fields. This interaction and its exploitation forms the basis for our modern electrical generators and motors. Without the interaction, we would be back to the days of electrostatic attraction and of permanent mag- nets—two . phenomena that can produce only very weak forces when operating individually. Some day perhaps we will learn enough to ap- ply gravitational forces in the same way we have learned to apply electromagnetic forces. This will depend upon advances in many fields of science. Some of the things required will be enormously increased sources of power from atomic fusion; very intense magnetic fields and current densities, perhaps from superconducting sources; and ex- tremely strong materials to contain mechanical forces. Some of these advances are approaching, or are on the horizon. Others we have yet to see clearly. May I close this part of our discussion by recalling the statement that the most important secret of the atomic bomb was that it worked. This gave the crucial impetus to other nations in their own efforts toduplicate the research of the United States. In the UFO phenomena we have demonstrations of scientific secrets we do not know ourselves. It would be a mistake, it seems to me, to ignore their existence. I have further comments on UFO's and high -strength materials, butperhaps the committee would rather interrupt at this point before I go on to that second subject? Mr. Rousn. Any questions? I think you better go ahead, Dr. Harder, because if we get started questioning it is impossible to stop these people. Mr. BOONE. Mr. Chairman may I ask one question? Mr. ROUSH. Go ahead, Mr:Boone. Mr. BOONE. Have you concluded that what you have just told us is true, we should not ignore their existence? Dr. HARDER. I have no doubt of the veracity of the observer who saw this thing in the sky; I know him personally. Mr. BOONE. I didn't question the observer, I questioned your remark, and the magnetic, if you will, electromagnetic interactions, and so forth, when you said we undoubtedly must admit the existence of these—I am sorry I can't quote you exactly. But your last sentence there is what I refer to. It does seem like an obvious conclusion resulting from all the pre- vious remarks you said about some supernatural, if you will Dr. HARDER. Oh, heavens, I never suggested that, I hope. Mr. BOONE. Well, let me say, science fiction propulsion system,then. Dr. HARDER. Well, sir, what we have been discussing this morning, and this afternoon, is perhaps closer to science fiction than anything. I hope it is more science than fiction, however. Mr.Rousn. Go ahead, Dr.Harder. Dr. HARDER. The instances in which physical fragments of UFO's have been found are disappointingly few. To my knowledge, there is only one well-authenticated finding, and that was in Brazil, in
Hearing transcript, from the govinfo collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is under it. 256 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.