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Fantasite, v. 1, issue 4, July 1941

Page 13

13     THE FANTASITE

ings of this type is found in the "Intellectuals" of Skylark tales, especially in "Skylark of Valeron", which gives the clearest conception of them. The debate between "One" and "Eight" upon the relative merits of immortality and death is particularly recommended for consideration, for it illustrates the probability that the reaction to immortality would quite likely be personal and subjective, and for that reason highly variable. Some would feel as "One" did, while others would join "Eight" in rejecting eternal life. And it may be just as well for your peace of mind, dear reader, that you will never have the chance to make that choice!


WHY THE SOLAROIDS ABANDONED
THE PROPOSED NEWARKON!
By
Gerry de la Ree, Jr.

As early as August, 1941, the idea of a "conference" to be held in Newark. was in the mind of Sam Moskowitz. I quote from the September issue of STF SCOUT, official organ of the Newark SFL, containing the minutes of the August 15th meeting:
"Then Sam Moskowitz made the suggestion that an attempt be made to get the Annual World Science Fiction Convention in Newark for 1941. He told everyone present that if a serious effort were to be made, hard work would be necessary. After this, the meeting broke up." Next I quote from the October issue, containing the minutes of the September 19th meeting of the NSFL:
"But before the fans left, a little about the Newark Convention was discussed, and Sam Moskowitz pressed the idea of a 'feeling out campaign'." Below this there was an article by yours truly entitled: "Denver & Newark in '41". Here I advanced the idea that a convention on each side of the country would be very helpful to the fans.
I tried to show that those eastern fans who could not reach the Denvention could attend the Newarkon. This, at the time, seemed mighty sensible to me.
At the October 7th meeting of the NSFL I met James V. Taurasi for the first time. My first impression was one of utter dislike. When we were seated in the meeting room, the question of the Newark Convention was brought up (by myself, incidentally). Taurasi sort of glared at Moskowitz, turned to Gaetz and myself, and said in clear cut words, "Conference, not convention!" Moskowitz took it up from there, explaining that it was to be called a conference, thus getting around the Denvention. Gaetz and I didn't think much of this but we said nothing. Taurasi then went on to say that a little publicity in Sun Spots wouldn't hurt the "conference" a bit. He further stated that he had all the publicity "sewed up", and that all the New York pro editors had promised him support. All we had to do was set the date, he said, and he would start the publicity rolling.
We left there than night, believing what Taurasi had told us. Several days later I felt hat since Moskowitz wanted a feeling out campaign, and Taurasi had said, "you just set the date", that it would be sensible if we contacted all the eastern fans we could reach. We mimeoed 100 postal cards and send them to fans from Mass. to Fla. In the ensuing week or so we got around 20 replies; some favorable, some not. The Futurians; Kornbluth, Lowndes,Wollheim, etc. each sent us separate letters saying that they didn't like the idea of an eastern gathering, as they figured Moskowitz and Taurasi had it in the back of their minds to run it in direct competition with the legal convention in Denver. Tucker and Wiggins also sent scorching letters of protest. "Doc" Lowndes invited us over to his abode for a talk, and we consented.
On the second of Nov., we visited Lowndes, Wollheim, and Michel, at Lowndes hangout. During this talk we

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13 THE FANTASITE ings of this type is found in the "Intellectuals" of Skylark tales, especially in "Skylark of Valeron", which gives the clearest conception of them. The debate between "One" and "Eight" upon the relative merits of immortality and death is particularly recommended for consideration, for it illustrates the probability that the reaction to immortality would quite likely be personal and subjective, and for that reason highly variable. Some would feel as "One" did, while others would join "Eight" in rejecting eternal life. And it may be just as well for your peace of mind, dear reader, that you will never have the chance to make that choice! WHY THE SOLAROIDS ABANDONED THE PROPOSED NEWARKON! By Gerry de la Ree, Jr. As early as August, 1941, the idea of a "conference" to be held in Newark. was in the mind of Sam Moskowitz. I quote from the September issue of STF SCOUT, official organ of the Newark SFL, containing the minutes of the August 15th meeting: "Then Sam Moskowitz made the suggestion that an attempt be made to get the Annual World Science Fiction Convention in Newark for 1941. He told everyone present that if a serious effort were to be made, hard work would be necessary. After this, the meeting broke up." Next I quote from the October issue, containing the minutes of the September 19th meeting of the NSFL: "But before the fans left, a little about the Newark Convention was discussed, and Sam Moskowitz pressed the idea of a 'feeling out campaign'." Below this there was an article by yours truly entitled: "Denver & Newark in '41". Here I advanced the idea that a convention on each side of the country would be very helpful to the fans. I tried to show that those eastern fans who could not reach the Denvention could attend the Newarkon. This, at the time, seemed mighty sensible to me. At the October 7th meeting of the NSFL I met James V. Taurasi for the first time. My first impression was one of utter dislike. When we were seated in the meeting room, the question of the Newark Convention was brought up (by myself, incidentally). Taurasi sort of glared at Moskowitz, turned to Gaetz and myself, and said in clear cut words, "Conference, not convention!" Moskowitz took it up from there, explaining that it was to be called a conference, thus getting around the Denvention. Gaetz and I didn't think much of this but we said nothing. Taurasi then went on to say that a little publicity in Sun Spots wouldn't hurt the "conference" a bit. He further stated that he had all the publicity "sewed up", and that all the New York pro editors had promised him support. All we had to do was set the date, he said, and he would start the publicity rolling. We left there than night, believing what Taurasi had told us. Several days later I felt hat since Moskowitz wanted a feeling out campaign, and Taurasi had said, "you just set the date", that it would be sensible if we contacted all the eastern fans we could reach. We mimeoed 100 postal cards and send them to fans from Mass. to Fla. In the ensuing week or so we got around 20 replies; some favorable, some not. The Futurians; Kornbluth, Lowndes,Wollheim, etc. each sent us separate letters saying that they didn't like the idea of an eastern gathering, as they figured Moskowitz and Taurasi had it in the back of their minds to run it in direct competition with the legal convention in Denver. Tucker and Wiggins also sent scorching letters of protest. "Doc" Lowndes invited us over to his abode for a talk, and we consented. On the second of Nov., we visited Lowndes, Wollheim, and Michel, at Lowndes hangout. During this talk we