Johnson City, Tennessee, PRESS-CHRONICLE, 12 July 1947, page 2

Harried P-C Science Editor Begs 'De-Disc' Aid On Photo

The PRESS-CHRONICLE "Science Editor", already harried by slightly "spotty" vision the past few days, had a new problem on his hands yesterday.

This one came by U. S. mail - but it's the same old problem - those pesky "flying saucers."

The newly appointed Science Ed offered a small reward Tuesday for a bonafide flying saucer - provided it could be caught barehanded.

Since then, the PRESS-CHRONICLE has not been snowed under by discs, but yesterday's mail brought in a puzzler for the newspaper disc expert to solve.

It was a small photograph of something of which George Allison, 1105 Grover street, would greatly appreciate an explanation.

Allison wrote that he took the photo from the flight deck of the U. S. S. Attu somewhere between San Diego and Panama City in March, 1946.

A hurried conference in which all other PRESS-CHRONICLE experts in other fields were called in failed to supply a suitable answer.

The political editor was sure it was the start of a third party move. The society editor claimed it was an X-ray of a bridegroom's head on the day of the wedding. The sports editor was equally sure it was a picture of the homeplate at Cardinal Park as seen by any Johnson City pitcher.

The police reporter claimed it was the snapshot of the handwriting of a member of the local police department as it appears on the police blotter.

The farm editor claimed it was the collapse of the Johnson county bean market as seen by the camera. The photography department could not identify the picture thus remained disinterestedly aloof.

That threw the problem right back into the lap of the science editor. He decided to toss it to the readers. So here it is - what is it?

Allison could not be reached this morning for further information on the picture. However, the science editor will pursue it in hopes of settling this important problem.

The science editor has reached the end of his rope. He asks:

"If anybody - just anybody - has any idea what these flying saucers are, or where they came from, just drop a letter addressed to: The Science Editor, Press-Chronicle, Johnson City, Tenn., with the disc explanation.

Meanwhile, other developments on the local "flying disc" scene:

A PRESS-CHRONICLE staffer reported yesterday morning that she was sure she had spotted a disc the previous night. Then she said she put on her glasses for a better look and found it was a star instead.

Late yesterday the science editor was aroused from his afternoon nap by a telephone call. The caller reported excitedly that he had a "flying disc" cornered.

"It's out in the yard chasing my wife," he declared.

"Why call me?" the editor asked. "You should call a lawyer, not me," he added, and resumed his nap.