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FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review, 1942

Page V

FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review  Page V

Association, and a general discussion around the subject of "Michelism". ("Michelism" was the name given to the general anti-facist attitude adopted by the New York fans shortly after the 3d Convention, named thus in honor of John B. Michel, author of "Mutation or Death". The New Yorker Futurians, and those throughout the US, and England, who agreed with their pro-science; anti-facist stand were known as "Michelists"). The discussion finally revealed that all present were in agreement with the tenets of "Michelism" but that they objected to the name of the attitude. By a large majority it was voted to drop the term "Michelism" at this time and a committee was selected to find a more suitable and universal term for the attitude. And finally, a Committee for the Preservation of Democracy in Fandom was formed, headed by David A. Kyle.
     The Futurian Conference of 1939 was the only outlet that fans attending New York of the 1939 Convention had for free and full discussion of the many subjects they wanted to discuss. It was the only meeting which took any action in regard to fankind. It's importance lay in the fact that it laid the basis for following science fiction conventions, wherefrom no fan was excluded, no subject of discussion barred.
***********
If you're a reader
If you're a collector
If you're an active fan
You can't afford to be without
FANTASTY FICTION FIELD Illustrated News 5¢ Weekly
THE NATIONAL FANTASY REVIEW
----------------------
_THE EXCLUSION ACT_
     FOR all fans the nation over, whether or not they attended, there was one eradicable blow upon the Nycon -- the exclusion act.
    As has been indicated in the foregoing pages, there was a battle in fandom between those who supported the original Nycon Committee and those who supported the usurpers.
    This feud spread itself over the entire field, it was impossible to pick up an fan magazine without finding references to it, if to items from one side or the other.
     However, the majority of support was for the New Fandom control and the opposition, centering around the Futurians of New York more or less recognized it, although they continually protested the high-handed manner in which the convention committee acted and questioned the ethics of such actions as obtaining the film "Metropolis" from Nazi German sources.
     When the convention day came near, however, the Futurians determined to put an end to opposition, to attend the convention and enjoy what it had to offer, and to make an attempt to put an end to the feud. It was hoped that, as with the Sykora-Schwartz War which ended at the 2d Convention, so could the actual event put an end to the current conflict.
     But the chief Futurians were excluded from attendance at the Nycon.
     Although the Nycon had been widely advertised as "open to all", six fans: Donald A. Wollheim, John B. Michel, Robert W. Lowndes, Fred Pohl, Cyril Kornbluth, and Jack Gillespie were denied admittance in accord with a decision the Nycon (New Fandom) Committee had arrived at about a month before -- even while they were advertising the Nycon as "open to all"
     A great deal of resentment was shown by those in attendance; an attempt was made to put the matter to an open vote, but the Convention Chairman refused to discuss or consider it; the matter was closed.
      The exclusion act was a stink.

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FFF's Illustrated Nycon Review Page V Association, and a general discussion around the subject of "Michelism". ("Michelism" was the name given to the general anti-facist attitude adopted by the New York fans shortly after the 3d Convention, named thus in honor of John B. Michel, author of "Mutation or Death". The New Yorker Futurians, and those throughout the US, and England, who agreed with their pro-science; anti-facist stand were known as "Michelists"). The discussion finally revealed that all present were in agreement with the tenets of "Michelism" but that they objected to the name of the attitude. By a large majority it was voted to drop the term "Michelism" at this time and a committee was selected to find a more suitable and universal term for the attitude. And finally, a Committee for the Preservation of Democracy in Fandom was formed, headed by David A. Kyle. The Futurian Conference of 1939 was the only outlet that fans attending New York of the 1939 Convention had for free and full discussion of the many subjects they wanted to discuss. It was the only meeting which took any action in regard to fankind. It's importance lay in the fact that it laid the basis for following science fiction conventions, wherefrom no fan was excluded, no subject of discussion barred. *********** If you're a reader If you're a collector If you're an active fan You can't afford to be without FANTASTY FICTION FIELD Illustrated News 5¢ Weekly THE NATIONAL FANTASY REVIEW ---------------------- _THE EXCLUSION ACT_ FOR all fans the nation over, whether or not they attended, there was one eradicable blow upon the Nycon -- the exclusion act. As has been indicated in the foregoing pages, there was a battle in fandom between those who supported the original Nycon Committee and those who supported the usurpers. This feud spread itself over the entire field, it was impossible to pick up an fan magazine without finding references to it, if to items from one side or the other. However, the majority of support was for the New Fandom control and the opposition, centering around the Futurians of New York more or less recognized it, although they continually protested the high-handed manner in which the convention committee acted and questioned the ethics of such actions as obtaining the film "Metropolis" from Nazi German sources. When the convention day came near, however, the Futurians determined to put an end to opposition, to attend the convention and enjoy what it had to offer, and to make an attempt to put an end to the feud. It was hoped that, as with the Sykora-Schwartz War which ended at the 2d Convention, so could the actual event put an end to the current conflict. But the chief Futurians were excluded from attendance at the Nycon. Although the Nycon had been widely advertised as "open to all", six fans: Donald A. Wollheim, John B. Michel, Robert W. Lowndes, Fred Pohl, Cyril Kornbluth, and Jack Gillespie were denied admittance in accord with a decision the Nycon (New Fandom) Committee had arrived at about a month before -- even while they were advertising the Nycon as "open to all" A great deal of resentment was shown by those in attendance; an attempt was made to put the matter to an open vote, but the Convention Chairman refused to discuss or consider it; the matter was closed. The exclusion act was a stink.