There are copies of this issue in circulation both with and without the SFA notice - scanned and included on the cover below - at the top. This is an overprinting clearly added to some covers after the issue was complete. The significance of this and the part it played in the feud that was beginning to tear the Leeds group apart at this point will be explored in a future article for RELAPSE.

CONTENTS:

• EDITORIAL NOTE
• THE MAN WHO MADE DIAMONDS by J. Michael Rosenblum.
• RADIANT LIGHT by D. R. Smith
• ORIGINALITY IN SCIENCE FICTION by Festus Pragnell
• TALES OF WONDER AND SUPER SCIENCE
• BACK CHATS by Edward J. Carnell
• THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC by Maurice K. Hanson
• SFA MONTHLY REPORT
• REVIEWS - IN A NUTSHELL by D. R. Smith and the Editors

Copytyping this issue by Jim Linwood.

Editorial note.......................................................................... The Man Who Made Diamonds ............................................ by J. Michael Rosenblum. Radiant Light ......................................................................... by D. R. Smith Originality in Science-Fiction................................................... by Festus Pragnell Tales of Wonder and Super-Science....................................... Back Chats............................................................................ by Ted Carnell This Side of the Atlantic.......................................................... by Maurice Hanson SFA Monthly Report.............................................................. Reviews in a Nutshell.............................................................. by D.R.Smith and the Editors.

3 3 4 6 8 9 12 15 18

Editor Maurice K. Hanson, 95, Mere Road, Leicester, England.
Associates Dennis A. Jacques, Maurice T. Crowley.

Subscription Rates
12 issues for 1/9, or 2d a copy.
12 issues for 45 cents, or 5 cents a copy.

"The Man Who Made Diamonds"
a review by J.Michael Rosenblum

I recently saw the preview of yet another British scientifilm – "The Man Who Made Diamonds", a First National Production, made at Teddington Studios. As the title implies, a scientist creates artificial diamonds, actually from carbon compounds and a three thousand volt electric discharge. Many views are given of an elaborate -- in fact too elaborate -- private laboratory in which much of the action takes place. Interesting behind the scene views are also given of the workings of the grid system and Scotland Yard, for the story includes the murder of a benevolent scientist and the selfish use of his discovery by an unscrupulous assistant. Of course, a love interest is included, and, some exciting scenes are witnessed on the top of a pylon of the grid system.

On the whole the film is well-written and well-directed but suffers a little from the paucity of the acting. It is certainly "slicker" than the average British production

Associated with the rays affecting the physical side of life are the rays affecting the mental side. The processes of thought are as much a mystery today as they were ten thousand years ago, and it is a debatable point whether thought can be discussed in terms of radiation at all. E.E.Smith was logical in placing "sixth order" as thought, as the highest type of radiation his fertile imagination could conceive, though he overlooked the "mechanical educator" invented by Dunark of Osnome before the idea of "orders" had been brought forward. Campbell, partly from convenience no doubt, placed thought on a level above even the galaxy-generating powers of Arost. Telepathy is so very useful to our interplanetary travelers, however, we can not discourage its use, and indeed, looking at the available evidence form all angles, weighing this against that, adding magicians and taking away professors reading between the lines and applying statistical laws of probability, one is forced to the conclusion that there is something in it. But it is not an idea to be loosely used, and machines for actually developing, or producing thought rays or rays hostile to thought, had better be confined to fantasy.

This may be said of all "life rays", that they may add to the entertainment of the story, but they do not add to its logic.

Originality in Science-Fiction
by Festus Pragnell

No doubt like many others, I have often wondered why it was that, while science-fiction editors were crying out as loudly as they could for originality and new ideas, it was possible to read their magazines for a whole year without finding more than one new idea in the lot.

I sent them stories full of originality, and they returned them to me: I tried writing stories that were as hackneyed as I could make them, and they were big successes, the only objections raised by readers being to those original parts that had slipped in by accident, such as the use of diamond armour in "The Green Man of Graypec".

Now I am puzzled no longer. I have discovered the reason. It is because just those people who cry out the loudest for original ideas are the quickest to sweep aside contemptuously any new idea they do come across because it does not fit in with their preconceived prejudices.

This seems to have been the reaction of Mr. D. R. Smith, a contributor usually so readable and well-informed, to my suggestion that in the future the human race might split into to races, one strong and lively and occupying itself with physical work and sports, etc., while the other became gigantic and occupies itself with brainwork.

The probability is that our health depends upon food and care in childhood, our moral qualities upon the people in whose care we grew up, and our physical qualities such as colour of the, eyes, tallness, etc., upon heredity. This of course is a very complicated question, and it would take a book, not a short article, to go into it properly.

I'm afraid that Mr. Smith does not know much about agricultural workers; farmers may have well-stocked larders, but the diet of the average agricultural labourer can only be described as starvation. City men never know such dire poverty as do countrymen.

But when I read that factory workers need strength rather than quickness of movement, I gasp. Where did you get that queer idea Mr. Smith? In a blacksmith's shop?

Logical as Mr. Smith's argument may be, I shall still believe that the future will see the human race divided into two parts, as I have described, one large and one small. Other things being equal, a large brain is stronger than a small one, and can do more work. I know you can mention names, and claim that their possessors were small men, but this is only a statistical rule, and to statistical rules there are many exceptions. The sizes of men's heads vary greatly, even if you cou1d quote the size of, say, Einstein's hat, that would not prove that he had a smaller brain than another man who took a larger size. In any case, are such people as Einstein and Sir James Joans so much more intelligent than the average man? I doubt it. They are just specialists.

The last sentence of Mr. Smith's article reveals a certain ignorance. It is just the dreamers who are most alive to worldly affairs, being loss concerned with their immediate surroundings.

FAN MAGS--Claire P. Beck's "Critic" leans more and more toward interesting opinions and discussions by various fans. Latest (May) issue again contains words and music by colleague D.R. Smith, of this magazine, who has had a number of exclusives in the "Critic" besides reprints from "Novae Terrae". Claire P. (masculine to you) states that very few issues have appeared without a slating for Fearn. Evidently John isn't liked West of the Rookies, though some say west of the Atlantic. Article by John Michel in March "Critic" gave personal opinion of March ASTOUNDING. It is now revealed that Michel didn't pen the missive, but hoax was perpetrated by Fred Pohl of New York, at least Fred is credited with the honour.

Latest (June) "Science Fiction Fan", together with mystery October 1936 issue, arrived this week. October number was last of printed issues and had not been sent out, being withhold for unknown reasons. June issue contains neat heckto'd drawings but little else except forecast of July ASTOUNDING (how does Wiggins do it?). This forecast is far in advance of current issues of ASTOUNDING and gives complete list of' yarns a month in advance. Must have a personal hook-up with editor Tremaine. Also strange fact that Wiggins refuses subscriptions under full year. Take the lot or keep your nickels.

Latest issue of Chicago's "14 Leaflet" contain photos of nineteen of "the boys from the Loop" including the Binder brothers and Florence Reider as well as notorious magazine letter writer Jack Darrow (real name Clifford Kornoelje).

CONVENTIONS--New York's fanfare announcing World Science Action Conference in 1939 gave others same idea. To offset Eastern States cornering all the praise, Western States, California and others, seriously thinking about celebrating 1934 San Francisco Exhibition with similar

Idea is contagious -- recently London's Three Musketeers of science-fiction formed rough outline of SFA Annual Conference, probably to be held in London this year about December.

OLAF STAPLEDON--Olaf Stapledon's "Last and First Men' has now appeared in the Penguin (6d.) series (number A3 in "Pelican" group) Complete and unabridged "Pelican" group dual with science, history, etc., also containing "The Mysterious Universe" by Sir James" and "Essays in Popular Science" by Huxley. Look for the blue cover. Exclusive scoop in "Scientifiction" No. 3, is interview with Dr. Stapledon as well as review by John Benyon Harris of this author's latest thought-variant.

NEW ZEALAND SF BULLETIN--Item in latest"14 Leaflet" mentions certain fan mags heard about but never seen, amongst which is New Zealand "Bulletin". Publicity for latter originated from this column (Jun., 1936 issue). NZ SFA was formed by two fans, Noel S. Jenkin and Norman S. Patten of New Plymouth in January 1935. They launched a mimeographed "Bulletin" explaining aims and ideals (two issues, February and March 1935) but project failed through lack of enthusiasm. Only copy of "Bulletin" to leave NZ is in my collection.

OF FANS—Name often occurring lately is of Los Angeles fan, Vernon Wilfred Harry. Lately joined SFA and BIS and is pen-pal of Harold Gottliffe, Leeds, and Leslie Potts, Surrey. Despite antipathy of certain American fans toward Vernon, latest photo of him to reach here shows likable countenance and. agreeable smile.

While on Hollywood gossip -- Dame Rumour once stated Forrie Ackerman never answered correspondence unless stamped addressed envelope was enclosed. Took idea up to see if true. It was. He doesn't. (Colleague Carnell's generalization too sweeping; I, at any rate, have found the reverse to be true--Editor.)

From many possibilities of the future I drew one imaginative happening but did not state that I believed what I wrote. Far from it, anything can happen during the next hundred years, including disintegration of earth. How can you enjoy science-fiction yarns when each story has a different hypothesis of the future? You don't add up correctly. Apart from this short reply, the Editor admirably answered your letter last month.

THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC

"England is overwhelmed by a mysterious deadly radio signal that outs out the usual radio programmes and kills ten persons, Home Office inquiries reveal that similar broadcasts have been.....shaking battleships to pieces and it is realised that somewhere in the country there is a scientist who has found a deadly weapon…So Captain Edward Folton-Slingsby, of the Secret Service, is told to find this man……He is warned that Paul Sotchi, agent of a foreign power is already on the track of the mystery man……and the foreign agent leaves for Little Caldor, a tiny hamlet in a lonely corner of Essex where, posing as a squire of the old school, Hugh Calder is trying to prevent an arterial road being driven through the home of his ancestors. ….." It seems difficult to believe that this is a synopsis of a serial in "The Passing Show" (The Broadcast Murders) by W.J. Passingham. It is a far cry from the unhackneyed material usually used in that journal to lonely corners of Essex (of which that county seems to be solely composed.), but the story will doubtless be sought for by collectors of scientific fiction…..Cartoon-strip connoisseurs should have noted that Pip, Squeak and

It should be noted that although many post 1932 issues can be obtained at fairly low prices, earlier copies are becoming more and more difficult to obtain. We have been able to supply many early copies at prices of less than 1/- (having obtained them from British fans selling their collections) but it will soon be necessary to rely entirely on American supplies. A prominent U.S. fan informs us: "American dealers` prices on Science Wonders are between. 40 cents and one dollar…… Among dealers the cost of old Wonders and. Amazings is high, and those for Air and. Science Wonder unreasonable.....My Amazings run intermittently back to 1927. Older than that they cost one dollar each, which is preposterous."

We shall therefore be glad to hear from anyone with science-fiction magazines for sale.

LIBRARY: We have been considering tentative schemes for the inauguration of a library. It is proposed that this should consist mainly of British scientific fiction books - not American magazines - together with club publications, and oddities such as author's manuscripts, British journals containing science-fiction, etc. It is also proposed that the library should have a sub-section of purely scientific books.

Mr. E.C. Williams of London has kindly offered to act as Librarian, with the assistance of several other London members. Three provisional rules are: (1) Members wishing to use the library must submit a book not already possessed by the library. In the event of a member losing a book the former book will become the property of the owner of the lost book. (2) Members may withdraw their own books at any time, after giving suitable notice and on payments of the necessary postage. (All members are requested to contribute as many books as possible). (3) The librarian will issue lists from time to time, giving the titles of books in the library.

Some thirty-five science-fiction books and some sixty text-books have already been promised by several members. Before, however, the scheme is actually put into operation we wish to know if other members will be willing to contribute books (and not entirely the works of Wells or Verne!) and if, when the library is formed, they will make good use of it. All members are therefore asked to let us know, their opinion of this scheme, to make suggestions and comments, and should they be willing to contribute books and send us a list of the titles. If members will do this without delay we should be able to make a definite announcement next month.

CORRESPONDENTS WANTED:

J.Stephenson, 35, 19th Avenue, Endike Lane, HULL wishes to correspond with any "embryo Pauls or Wessos, or anyone interested in fantascience illustrating".

L. Turner, 45, Maltravers Terrace, Sheffield 2, wishes to correspond with any members interested in the making of telescopes.

OFFICIALS: It is suggested, to save time when writing, the letters should be sent direct to the various officials who are: General Secretary - D,W. F. Mayer, 20 Hollin Park Road, LEEDS,8. Assistant Secretary – H. Warnes, 5 Florist Street, Leeds 3. Treasurer - G. A. Airey, 9 Gledhow Park Drive, Leeds 8.

PUBLICATIONS: The Summer issue of TOMORROW will be published during July and will contain a leading article on the subject of amateur authors. The British Science-Fiction Bibliography will be published soon after. We will be glad to hear from anyone who can supply information of value to either publication.

TALES OF WONDER AND SUPER SCIENCE: We presume it is unnecessary to request members to give all the support they can to this magazine.

STRESS FLUID by McCarn GOOD

SCIENCE DISCUSSIONS letters from John W.Campbell Jr. and P. Schuyler Miller are included.

THRILLING WONDER STORIES AUGUST 1937

THE IRON WORLD by Otis Adelbert Kline POOR
Incredibly hackneyed, extremely implausible and generally inferior.

CONQUEST OF LIFE by Eando Binder FAIR
The science is by no means impeccable and the charac¬ters are stereotyped; slightly above The Binder's average, nevertheless.

THE DOUBLE MINDS by John W.Campbell Jr. GOOD
Similar to "The Brain Eaters of Mars".

RIFT IN INFINITY by Paul Ernst VERY FAIR
Rather better than the usual rifts and vortices.

SPACE MIRROR by Edmond Hamilton FAIR
Uses the idea often suggested by astronauts but rarely seen in fiction. The action is mainly hokum.

ROUND ABOUT RIGEL by J. Harvey Haggard FAIR
Too casual and generally featureless.

VISION OF THE HYDRA by Gordon A. Giles FAIRLY GOOD
An interesting idea is very effectively presented, and the story is almost worthy of a "good".

THE SOLAR MENACE by S. K. Bernfeld READABLE
Moral: Never plan to destroy the earth by means of a "nimbus of new magnetism" to attract the sun's radiation.

SPACEWARD by P.E. Cleator GOOD (Non-fiction)
Contains few new ideas, but is very entertainingly written with plentiful comments on the human aversion to progress.

Cover: By Wesso, and far more competent than any previous one but alarmingly sensational and pseudo-scientific. Illustrations: Mainly by Wesso, and improving. Scientifacts are rather more interesting than usual, the film review is written by one who knows something about films. ZARNAK continues.