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IFA Review, v. 1, issue 2, September-October 1940

Page 15

This was followed by a recess for refreshments during the time the movie projector was set up. The movie, "Monsters of the Moon," itself was nothing much, but Tucker had tampered with the film, injecting such scenes as cowboys riding, a strip tease, etc., causing much amusement.

After this Dr. Smith gave a fine talk, "What Does This Convention Mean?" This was followed by a short, informal chat by Ray Palmer. Then recess.

Scene: IFA meeting. Time: About 10 minutes later; Place: Room 987. persons present were: Mr. & Mrs. Manning, Maurice Paul, Dale Tarr, Claude Degler, Gordon Brooks, Fred Shroyer & myself. (I think that's all.) The whole affair was very informal, some sitting on the beds, others leaning against the wall, etc. I was called upon to start the proceedings by giving a short talk, describing the founding of the IFA, it's aims, etc. General discussion followed. Toward the end of the meeting I brought up the dissolution of offices. This, despite my protests at having to do practically all the work, was waived as being too time wasting. The inference was that there would be a lot of confusion if the secretary was in one place, the treasurer in another, the Director there, etc. So by unanimous agreement agreement, without so much as a normal vote, I was chosen as the IFA Director. I shall do my utmost for the organization and earnestly ask for your cooperation in all matters.

I can only say the masquerade party that evening was ALL RIGHT. Scene: Balloons a poppin as somebody thrust a lighted cigarette at them, water pistol spurting, dart gun (with broad rubber tipped darts) picking off various personages, the punch being spiked with wine later in the evening by Shroyer. The costume of Ming the Merciless won first prize. Stf songs sung.

Auction started late. Many pocketbooks deflated. Concluded the following day. Total about $120. The Finlay "Darkness & Dawn" cover went for about $5.25 to Richard Frank, who was there on his honeymoon. Second highest was Paul's "Man from Mars" back cover, which went for about $4.75 to Mr. Glavs S Bunch of South Bend.

Next morning's only activity was the business meeting of the IFF. This was dissolved as a national organization by the vote of the members. Amusingly enough, the profits from the Chicon were voted to the Convention Committee by the group, although they had no voice in the matter any longer, having stripped themselves of power shortly before that.

Afternoon brought talk. If I could get a penny for every word said, I'd retire. I couldn't clearly recall most of what was said even at the end of that day, let alone now. However, the main topic was next year's convention. Los Angeles, the most likely prospect, declared it wasn't ready that year & refused to take it. A New York Futurian spoke for it, but met with objections from other fans, who saw future strife in such a case. Philadelphia was also unable to take it. Jack Misks then rose up and offered to have either Cleveland or Cincinnatti take it, but only condition that no other city could be found. Then, as a complete surprise, Olon F. Wiggins proposed Denver as the 1941 Convention City. After much debating, this was confirmed by the assemblage amidst cheers.

That evening brought on the banquet. Acting from previous experience, I had lunched on several hamburgers just before that. Alas! For once there was enough to eat at a banquet. Dr. Smith gave a talk which had no subject (literally)., Then, in rotation, everybody got up and said something, then introduced the next person. 

Thirty three persons started out walking, eventually to reach the railroad station to see Rothman off. On one of the corners in the Loop, Art Widner gets one of those dances where you fold your hands, bend your knees, and start whirling about. Successfully, too. After that, everyone strung out their right hand ahead on the preceeding person's shoulder and started singing. Many songs were sung that evening. Later, columns of four were formed. And so on a depleted remnant of ten or so found themselves harried out of a beer joint at 8:00. Eventually, Korshak, Tucker, Unger, and I went down to the Hall and cleared out all the stuff into our car. Picking up Madle & dropping off Tucker, we proceeded, along with Reinsberg, to Korshak's. Finally fell asleep about 10:00 A.M. AND so the story ends.

Saving...

This was followed by a recess for refreshments during the time the movie projector was set up. The movie, "Monsters of the Moon," itself was nothing much, but Tucker had tampered with the film, injecting such scenes as cowboys riding, a strip tease, etc., causing much amusement. After this Dr. Smith gave a fine talk, "What Does This Convention Mean?" This was followed by a short, informal chat by Ray Palmer. Then recess. Scene: IFA meeting. Time: About 10 minutes later; Place: Room 987. persons present were: Mr. & Mrs. Manning, Maurice Paul, Dale Tarr, Claude Degler, Gordon Brooks, Fred Shroyer & myself. (I think that's all.) The whole affair was very informal, some sitting on the beds, others leaning against the wall, etc. I was called upon to start the proceedings by giving a short talk, describing the founding of the IFA, it's aims, etc. General discussion followed. Toward the end of the meeting I brought up the dissolution of offices. This, despite my protests at having to do practically all the work, was waived as being too time wasting. The inference was that there would be a lot of confusion if the secretary was in one place, the treasurer in another, the Director there, etc. So by unanimous agreement agreement, without so much as a normal vote, I was chosen as the IFA Director. I shall do my utmost for the organization and earnestly ask for your cooperation in all matters. I can only say the masquerade party that evening was ALL RIGHT. Scene: Balloons a poppin as somebody thrust a lighted cigarette at them, water pistol spurting, dart gun (with broad rubber tipped darts) picking off various personages, the punch being spiked with wine later in the evening by Shroyer. The costume of Ming the Merciless won first prize. Stf songs sung. Auction started late. Many pocketbooks deflated. Concluded the following day. Total about $120. The Finlay "Darkness & Dawn" cover went for about $5.25 to Richard Frank, who was there on his honeymoon. Second highest was Paul's "Man from Mars" back cover, which went for about $4.75 to Mr. Glavs S Bunch of South Bend. Next morning's only activity was the business meeting of the IFF. This was dissolved as a national organization by the vote of the members. Amusingly enough, the profits from the Chicon were voted to the Convention Committee by the group, although they had no voice in the matter any longer, having stripped themselves of power shortly before that. Afternoon brought talk. If I could get a penny for every word said, I'd retire. I couldn't clearly recall most of what was said even at the end of that day, let alone now. However, the main topic was next year's convention. Los Angeles, the most likely prospect, declared it wasn't ready that year & refused to take it. A New York Futurian spoke for it, but met with objections from other fans, who saw future strife in such a case. Philadelphia was also unable to take it. Jack Misks then rose up and offered to have either Cleveland or Cincinnatti take it, but only condition that no other city could be found. Then, as a complete surprise, Olon F. Wiggins proposed Denver as the 1941 Convention City. After much debating, this was confirmed by the assemblage amidst cheers. That evening brought on the banquet. Acting from previous experience, I had lunched on several hamburgers just before that. Alas! For once there was enough to eat at a banquet. Dr. Smith gave a talk which had no subject (literally)., Then, in rotation, everybody got up and said something, then introduced the next person. Thirty three persons started out walking, eventually to reach the railroad station to see Rothman off. On one of the corners in the Loop, Art Widner gets one of those dances where you fold your hands, bend your knees, and start whirling about. Successfully, too. After that, everyone strung out their right hand ahead on the preceeding person's shoulder and started singing. Many songs were sung that evening. Later, columns of four were formed. And so on a depleted remnant of ten or so found themselves harried out of a beer joint at 8:00. Eventually, Korshak, Tucker, Unger, and I went down to the Hall and cleared out all the stuff into our car. Picking up Madle & dropping off Tucker, we proceeded, along with Reinsberg, to Korshak's. Finally fell asleep about 10:00 A.M. AND so the story ends.