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PSFS News, v. 5, issue 6, July 1945

Page 11

July, 1945 PSFS NEWS Page 11
* * * * * * * * * 
years of supreme happiness and comfort. 

In the world of the future, life has been lengthened and the population stabilized to a point where only the most physically and mentally perfect couples are allowed to have children, and only at the special decree of the government. 

A child is born to one happy, chosen couple. From the moment of birth the child is never theirs, but is cared for b the scientific state. Specially trined and guided the child becomes a veritable genius. Upon re-union with his parents he regards them as curiousities who had the good fortune to be his parents. 

Elated by his genius the government informs the parents that they will be accorded the unprecendented honor of being permitted to bear another child. 

In a single line, a line of singular quietness that fairly shrieks the agony of a broken heart the parents tell the government's courier: "Tell them," they said, "tell them we do no care to have another child." Old timers will remember "Unto Us A Child Is Born." 

Fan magazine editors have often been accused of poor taste, and indeed Robert A. Madle, editor of FANTASCIENCE DIGEST had a lot of explaining to do when he rejected "Valley Of Bones" by Dr. Keller for his FANTASCIENCE DIGEST and kept "The Mother." For Valley of Bones" was subsequently accepted and published by Weird Tales. But time has justified his choice, for six years after publication I can still visualize the closing scene of "The Mother" in which she, mother of twenty children in the scientific world state of tomorrow, receives a telegram informing her of the death of her daughter. Her husband tries to comfort her as she cries inconsolably, with the words: "Perhaps," he hesitated, "perhaps we might adopt a baby!" 

Where has an author included such subject matter in a science fiction story, before or since?

"Stenographers' Hands," "The Ivy War," "The Rat Racket," "The Tree," "Air Lines," "The Yeast Men," "The White City," "White Collars," "A Biological Experiment," and dozens of others present us a string of enjoyability in reading that France and England well appreciated judging by the rate that they were reprinting these stories before the war.

Critics of Keller have flatly stated that he couldn't write. That the powerful subject matter and authentic insight triumphed over the style and made keller a popular writer. They said his style was as weak as dish water, that it was dead and insipid and often silly. 

We wonder if these men are not too much over-awed by the wild, driving, aimless power of Thomas Wolfe. A phenomenon with a writing style of such great intensity that it probably will be admitted as one of the greatest in history. Words, adjectives, expletives surged from within him. Strong words he needed to describe the chaotic bewilderment of his own mind. And his words were rendered useless, for despite alarmingly frank descriptions, and sex-ridden degenerates, he never did figure himself out and died as he had lived without plot or meaning. 

Can these people brand

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July, 1945 PSFS NEWS Page 11 * * * * * * * * * years of supreme happiness and comfort. In the world of the future, life has been lengthened and the population stabilized to a point where only the most physically and mentally perfect couples are allowed to have children, and only at the special decree of the government. A child is born to one happy, chosen couple. From the moment of birth the child is never theirs, but is cared for b the scientific state. Specially trined and guided the child becomes a veritable genius. Upon re-union with his parents he regards them as curiousities who had the good fortune to be his parents. Elated by his genius the government informs the parents that they will be accorded the unprecendented honor of being permitted to bear another child. In a single line, a line of singular quietness that fairly shrieks the agony of a broken heart the parents tell the government's courier: "Tell them," they said, "tell them we do no care to have another child." Old timers will remember "Unto Us A Child Is Born." Fan magazine editors have often been accused of poor taste, and indeed Robert A. Madle, editor of FANTASCIENCE DIGEST had a lot of explaining to do when he rejected "Valley Of Bones" by Dr. Keller for his FANTASCIENCE DIGEST and kept "The Mother." For Valley of Bones" was subsequently accepted and published by Weird Tales. But time has justified his choice, for six years after publication I can still visualize the closing scene of "The Mother" in which she, mother of twenty children in the scientific world state of tomorrow, receives a telegram informing her of the death of her daughter. Her husband tries to comfort her as she cries inconsolably, with the words: "Perhaps," he hesitated, "perhaps we might adopt a baby!" Where has an author included such subject matter in a science fiction story, before or since? "Stenographers' Hands," "The Ivy War," "The Rat Racket," "The Tree," "Air Lines," "The Yeast Men," "The White City," "White Collars," "A Biological Experiment," and dozens of others present us a string of enjoyability in reading that France and England well appreciated judging by the rate that they were reprinting these stories before the war. Critics of Keller have flatly stated that he couldn't write. That the powerful subject matter and authentic insight triumphed over the style and made keller a popular writer. They said his style was as weak as dish water, that it was dead and insipid and often silly. We wonder if these men are not too much over-awed by the wild, driving, aimless power of Thomas Wolfe. A phenomenon with a writing style of such great intensity that it probably will be admitted as one of the greatest in history. Words, adjectives, expletives surged from within him. Strong words he needed to describe the chaotic bewilderment of his own mind. And his words were rendered useless, for despite alarmingly frank descriptions, and sex-ridden degenerates, he never did figure himself out and died as he had lived without plot or meaning. Can these people brand