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FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review, 1942

Page II

FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review Page II

[picture of nine men, labeled as follows:]
Kline (1/2), Taurasi, Moskowitz, ?. Lou Kuslan, Giunta, Osheroff, Thompson, ?

There were two outstanding events. The long-existing feud between Sykora and Schwartz (which involved most members of the NYB-ISA and the NYSFL chapters -- New York Science Fiction League -- as Schwartz and Hornig, former editor of Wonder were close cohorts) was resolved as Will and Julie shook hands. And a motion by Donald A. Wollheim to form a committee for the purpose of staging a World Science Fiction Convention in New York for 1939, to coincide with the World Fair, was approved. A committee was chosen, consisting of Donald A. Wollheim, chairman; John J. Weir, Robert A. Madle, and Willis Conover. The second convention was a bang-up affair!

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3. The Third Eastern States Science Fition Convention - Philadelphia, October, 1937

By this time, conventions were planned well in advance. The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (hereinafter to be known as the PSFS) sponsored it; Milton A. Rothman was chairman. About 35 people were present, among them both fans and professionals. Most of them had been present at the February convention, and an exciting time was expected. They were not disappointed. 
Among those present, in addition to the PSFS members, were Carl Hapfel, assistant editor to Orlin Tremaine of Astounding, Milton Kaletsky, Leo "Borg", Sam Moskowitz, David A. Kylo, Donald A. Wollheim, John B. Michel, Frederik Pohl, J. Harry Dockweiler, Danield C. Burford, L. A. Eschbach, Jack Gillespie, William S. Sykora, Richard Wilson, Robert G. Thompson, Julius Schwarcz, Peter Duncan and Raymond Van Houten. Among the PSFS members were Baltadonis, Madle, Oswald Train, and others.
Speeches were made, among them an address praising fankind by a man named Perlman. But the events of the day paled away before a speech written by John B. Michel called "Mutation or Death". It was read to the convention by Donald A. Wollheim, and it took the convention by storm. And, at the end, was a pro-scientist, anti-facist resolution, calling the convention to placed itself on record to that effect. IT was the first definite pro-scientist, anti-facist activity in which any group of American fans participated, either for or against.
The speech, and the resolution brought forth excited, heated debate -- debate which at all times remained friendly, but which lasted into the night. All-out for the resolution were Wollheim and Michel, speaking vaguely in favor of it were Perlman and "Borg". All-out against the resolution were Sykora, Peter Duncan, and Raymond Van Houten )the latter two made an abrupt about-face several years later). The resolution was defeated, but the debate continued, in cafeterias, and on trains back to New York. It was the most terrific clash of fan-personalities and ideas which had ever occurred. 
Writeups of the convention differed in views upon the debate, but none could deny it's power.

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FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review Page II [picture of nine men, labeled as follows:] Kline (1/2), Taurasi, Moskowitz, ?. Lou Kuslan, Giunta, Osheroff, Thompson, ? There were two outstanding events. The long-existing feud between Sykora and Schwartz (which involved most members of the NYB-ISA and the NYSFL chapters -- New York Science Fiction League -- as Schwartz and Hornig, former editor of Wonder were close cohorts) was resolved as Will and Julie shook hands. And a motion by Donald A. Wollheim to form a committee for the purpose of staging a World Science Fiction Convention in New York for 1939, to coincide with the World Fair, was approved. A committee was chosen, consisting of Donald A. Wollheim, chairman; John J. Weir, Robert A. Madle, and Willis Conover. The second convention was a bang-up affair! ******************************************************** 3. The Third Eastern States Science Fition Convention - Philadelphia, October, 1937 By this time, conventions were planned well in advance. The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (hereinafter to be known as the PSFS) sponsored it; Milton A. Rothman was chairman. About 35 people were present, among them both fans and professionals. Most of them had been present at the February convention, and an exciting time was expected. They were not disappointed. Among those present, in addition to the PSFS members, were Carl Hapfel, assistant editor to Orlin Tremaine of Astounding, Milton Kaletsky, Leo "Borg", Sam Moskowitz, David A. Kylo, Donald A. Wollheim, John B. Michel, Frederik Pohl, J. Harry Dockweiler, Danield C. Burford, L. A. Eschbach, Jack Gillespie, William S. Sykora, Richard Wilson, Robert G. Thompson, Julius Schwarcz, Peter Duncan and Raymond Van Houten. Among the PSFS members were Baltadonis, Madle, Oswald Train, and others. Speeches were made, among them an address praising fankind by a man named Perlman. But the events of the day paled away before a speech written by John B. Michel called "Mutation or Death". It was read to the convention by Donald A. Wollheim, and it took the convention by storm. And, at the end, was a pro-scientist, anti-facist resolution, calling the convention to placed itself on record to that effect. IT was the first definite pro-scientist, anti-facist activity in which any group of American fans participated, either for or against. The speech, and the resolution brought forth excited, heated debate -- debate which at all times remained friendly, but which lasted into the night. All-out for the resolution were Wollheim and Michel, speaking vaguely in favor of it were Perlman and "Borg". All-out against the resolution were Sykora, Peter Duncan, and Raymond Van Houten )the latter two made an abrupt about-face several years later). The resolution was defeated, but the debate continued, in cafeterias, and on trains back to New York. It was the most terrific clash of fan-personalities and ideas which had ever occurred. Writeups of the convention differed in views upon the debate, but none could deny it's power.