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Science Fiction Weekly, v. 1, issue 1, February 18, 1940

Page 3

SHAKEUP IN SCIENCE FICTION LEAGUE
   Los Angeles, Feb. 10, 1940. Mr. Ackerman writes: "Just learned of James V. Taurasi's appointment to League leadership (like the sheep to the slaughter?) and the business about new officers none of whom simultaneously may be serving another professional science-fiction society. I doubt Mort had any intention of publishing fact that I withdrew as SFL Executive several weeks befor the action which would remove my unloved self, so should like the fact to go out in SFWeekly #1 issue if possible.
   "Play it up as you like. ... has my carbon of resignation, from which you are liberty to quote..."

   IT MUST HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER FELLOWS!
   In Amazing for March, Henry Gade has an article entitled "The Earth's Core", in which he expounds the theory that the earth is hollow, with a central sun, and holes at the poles. This theory formed the basis for one of the books of Burroughs' "Pellucidar" series, and for Farley's "Radio Flyers" and "Radio Gun Runners". Mr. Gade says:
   "Curiously enough, both writers get their idea from the same source: a book treating with Perry's strange experiences as he neared the north pole on the final days of his historic dash . . Both Burroughs and Farley were fascinated by this conception of an inner world, and both wrote stories that have proven immensely popular. Both used the same conception, and both men submitted manuscripts to a well-known editor on the same day!"
   The name "Perry", in the above quotation, is of course a misprint for "Peary". The book referred to is Marshall B. Gardner's "A Journey to the Earth's Interior -- or -- Have the Poles Really Been Discovered". Gardner is the real originator of the theory, but he muffed the explanation of Peary's apparently phenomenal speed on approaching what Peary thought was the pole. Gardner simply postulated that Peary was lying, but Farley was the first to put forth the explanation that, as the curvature of the surface of the earth became greater and greater; as Peary went over the rim of the orifice, observations by the stars
          (continued next column)
would show a tremendous daily change in latitude, and hence an apparently great number of miles covered; that when the celestial north pole was finally directly overhead, Peary was standing merely at the top of the rim.
   Farley lent the book to Burroughs. Farley's story, expounding this theory, appeared in Argosy the same month that Burroughs' story appeared in Blue Book. 
   But it is not true that both authors submitted manuscripts to the same editor on the same day. That episode occurred to Farley's first "Radio Man" story and Kline's "Planet of Peril", both relating to the ant-men of Venus. The editor was Edwin Baird of Weird Tales. He advised both authors to submit to Bob Davis of Argosy. Farley sent his manuscript  to Davis' home address, and he secured an acceptance before Kline's manuscript worked its way up through the readers. Argosy printed Kline's story five years later, and this delay (through a chain of circumstances too long to recount here) resulted in Kline obtaining book-publication, and Farley not: which evened up the score.
   Reverting to the hollowness of the earth, other proofs thereof not listed by Mr. Gade are as follows: The warm winds and the clouds of red pollen which blow down from the north near the pole. The finding of tropical animals, of extinct species, in arctic ice. The fact that some Greenland birds fly north when the weather gets too cold for them.
   But Farley's explanation of Peary's diary still affords the best foundation for this theory. 
   - - - Licut. John Pease C.A.C.

    SHANGRI- L.A.
   As we go to press, we receive an air mail-special from the Elf-Queen (Morojo, to you!) informing us of the April 1st publication (she assures us it's no joke) of a large-size, even-edged, keenly-written, well-illustrated, modelly- mimeod (they hope!) 10¢ fanmag from Southern California. *** Aptly titled, this now club-pub from what is regarded-- science-fiction fan-utopia will be named Shangri-LA. Emphasis on the L.A.

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SHAKEUP IN SCIENCE FICTION LEAGUE Los Angeles, Feb. 10, 1940. Mr. Ackerman writes: "Just learned of James V. Taurasi's appointment to League leadership (like the sheep to the slaughter?) and the business about new officers none of whom simultaneously may be serving another professional science-fiction society. I doubt Mort had any intention of publishing fact that I withdrew as SFL Executive several weeks befor the action which would remove my unloved self, so should like the fact to go out in SFWeekly #1 issue if possible. "Play it up as you like. ... has my carbon of resignation, from which you are liberty to quote..." IT MUST HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER FELLOWS! In Amazing for March, Henry Gade has an article entitled "The Earth's Core", in which he expounds the theory that the earth is hollow, with a central sun, and holes at the poles. This theory formed the basis for one of the books of Burroughs' "Pellucidar" series, and for Farley's "Radio Flyers" and "Radio Gun Runners". Mr. Gade says: "Curiously enough, both writers get their idea from the same source: a book treating with Perry's strange experiences as he neared the north pole on the final days of his historic dash . . Both Burroughs and Farley were fascinated by this conception of an inner world, and both wrote stories that have proven immensely popular. Both used the same conception, and both men submitted manuscripts to a well-known editor on the same day!" The name "Perry", in the above quotation, is of course a misprint for "Peary". The book referred to is Marshall B. Gardner's "A Journey to the Earth's Interior -- or -- Have the Poles Really Been Discovered". Gardner is the real originator of the theory, but he muffed the explanation of Peary's apparently phenomenal speed on approaching what Peary thought was the pole. Gardner simply postulated that Peary was lying, but Farley was the first to put forth the explanation that, as the curvature of the surface of the earth became greater and greater; as Peary went over the rim of the orifice, observations by the stars (continued next column) would show a tremendous daily change in latitude, and hence an apparently great number of miles covered; that when the celestial north pole was finally directly overhead, Peary was standing merely at the top of the rim. Farley lent the book to Burroughs. Farley's story, expounding this theory, appeared in Argosy the same month that Burroughs' story appeared in Blue Book. But it is not true that both authors submitted manuscripts to the same editor on the same day. That episode occurred to Farley's first "Radio Man" story and Kline's "Planet of Peril", both relating to the ant-men of Venus. The editor was Edwin Baird of Weird Tales. He advised both authors to submit to Bob Davis of Argosy. Farley sent his manuscript to Davis' home address, and he secured an acceptance before Kline's manuscript worked its way up through the readers. Argosy printed Kline's story five years later, and this delay (through a chain of circumstances too long to recount here) resulted in Kline obtaining book-publication, and Farley not: which evened up the score. Reverting to the hollowness of the earth, other proofs thereof not listed by Mr. Gade are as follows: The warm winds and the clouds of red pollen which blow down from the north near the pole. The finding of tropical animals, of extinct species, in arctic ice. The fact that some Greenland birds fly north when the weather gets too cold for them. But Farley's explanation of Peary's diary still affords the best foundation for this theory. - - - Licut. John Pease C.A.C. SHANGRI- L.A. As we go to press, we receive an air mail-special from the Elf-Queen (Morojo, to you!) informing us of the April 1st publication (she assures us it's no joke) of a large-size, even-edged, keenly-written, well-illustrated, modelly- mimeod (they hope!) 10¢ fanmag from Southern California. *** Aptly titled, this now club-pub from what is regarded-- science-fiction fan-utopia will be named Shangri-LA. Emphasis on the L.A.