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Fantasy Fictioneer, issue 4, August 1940

Page 2

DISCUSSION AT THE CONVENTION by Donald A. Woolheim

   There has been much discussion among fans and in fan magazines about the conduct of the coming Chicago Convention.  One thing seems clear --- that some general discussion shall be made available at the convention on all points of interest to science-fiction and all its angles.  Yet to bring these matters up on the floor, with many participants either ignorant or disinterested in the matters, would be an act which would not keep the Convention intact or always interesting.  How then can things be arranged so as to have the convention entertaining, introductive (as to personalities), and still decisive on the points of science-fiction and not either extend a week in length or bore everyone silly at one part or another?
   I am proposing what I think is a sound plan procedure to cover these points and still keep the convention within bounds and always of interest.  And at all times democraric and open to opinions.
   The method calls for organization of committees similar to thise in use in Congress, where it is obvious the entire body has not the time to discuss each and every bill presented before it and therefore refers them first to selected groups of experts.
   I propose that the presidium of the Convention, shall appoint during the very first session of the meeting, prior to other activities, various Committees.  Committees should be appointed on such topics as: “Professional Science-Fiction”, “Fan Feuds”, “Fan Organizations”, “Fan Magazines”, “Science Fiction in the World”, “Science Fiction Writing”, etc.  These committees should be composed of five to a dozen persons who shall have requested such appointment and who shall be picked so as to fairly represent all types of opinions on the subjects likely to be discussed.  These committees will meet during the night of the first day or on the morning of the second day, and shall discuss between themselves all resolutions and proposals placed before them, or else draft resolutions covering the subject of their debate.
   When the Convention is called to order the second day, the various committees shall present to the Convention the resolutions or results of these discussions – both majority and minority opinions.  The Convention will be allowed a brief time to hear both sides of the questions that may be debatable and then will vote.  Thus the Convention can cover all possible points of debate in short order and in such a way as not to prove dry or boring.

(Note: This is only a part of Mr. Wollheims article on the subject, the lack of space in this issue causing the deletion of the remainder.  However, we believe his point is well covered here.  The IFF officials at a meeting early in August, discussed this aspect of the Convention, and along with other subjects, made final decision on it.
   Taking into consideration the existing situation and fandom today, and knowing fullwell the almost-impossible job of persuading members of the opposite schools of thought to “settled down and talk it over”, a substitute plan, the most fair and logical we could arrive at, has been decided upon.  One might possible find faults with this plan, but it does give all sides an equal chance to express their views; and at the same time keep the discussion within bounds of reasonableness, both in regard to time and intelligence.  We refer you to the next page.  -editor.)

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DISCUSSION AT THE CONVENTION by Donald A. Woolheim There has been much discussion among fans and in fan magazines about the conduct of the coming Chicago Convention. One thing seems clear --- that some general discussion shall be made available at the convention on all points of interest to science-fiction and all its angles. Yet to bring these matters up on the floor, with many participants either ignorant or disinterested in the matters, would be an act which would not keep the Convention intact or always interesting. How then can things be arranged so as to have the convention entertaining, introductive (as to personalities), and still decisive on the points of science-fiction and not either extend a week in length or bore everyone silly at one part or another? I am proposing what I think is a sound plan procedure to cover these points and still keep the convention within bounds and always of interest. And at all times democraric and open to opinions. The method calls for organization of committees similar to thise in use in Congress, where it is obvious the entire body has not the time to discuss each and every bill presented before it and therefore refers them first to selected groups of experts. I propose that the presidium of the Convention, shall appoint during the very first session of the meeting, prior to other activities, various Committees. Committees should be appointed on such topics as: “Professional Science-Fiction”, “Fan Feuds”, “Fan Organizations”, “Fan Magazines”, “Science Fiction in the World”, “Science Fiction Writing”, etc. These committees should be composed of five to a dozen persons who shall have requested such appointment and who shall be picked so as to fairly represent all types of opinions on the subjects likely to be discussed. These committees will meet during the night of the first day or on the morning of the second day, and shall discuss between themselves all resolutions and proposals placed before them, or else draft resolutions covering the subject of their debate. When the Convention is called to order the second day, the various committees shall present to the Convention the resolutions or results of these discussions – both majority and minority opinions. The Convention will be allowed a brief time to hear both sides of the questions that may be debatable and then will vote. Thus the Convention can cover all possible points of debate in short order and in such a way as not to prove dry or boring. (Note: This is only a part of Mr. Wollheims article on the subject, the lack of space in this issue causing the deletion of the remainder. However, we believe his point is well covered here. The IFF officials at a meeting early in August, discussed this aspect of the Convention, and along with other subjects, made final decision on it. Taking into consideration the existing situation and fandom today, and knowing fullwell the almost-impossible job of persuading members of the opposite schools of thought to “settled down and talk it over”, a substitute plan, the most fair and logical we could arrive at, has been decided upon. One might possible find faults with this plan, but it does give all sides an equal chance to express their views; and at the same time keep the discussion within bounds of reasonableness, both in regard to time and intelligence. We refer you to the next page. -editor.)