Santa Monica Newspaper Article from 1954

Santa Monica Evening Outlook, April 23rd, 1954

The Cub Reporter By Gordon Macker:
Who, sire, shall believe such a tale?
-SHAKESPEARE.

Do you believe in flying saucers, Josephine? (I am not referring to those platters you let fly at poor Herm when he rolls in at two in the morning.)

There is a startling new book on the market on the subject.

It is titled "Aboard a Flying Saucer," and it was written by a Redondo Beach construction worker named Truman Bethurum.

It is undoubtedly the most controversial book of the year.

For brother Bethrurum claims he has made 11 visits on a saucer!

Some readers believe his story. Others claim he's a crackpot.

You'll get a chance to judge for yourself, if you're interested, because Bethurum will be at Guttormsen's Book Shop at 2 p.m., tomorrow to autograph his book.

Too Much Sun

I just finished it.

Personally, I am one of the nonbelievers.

I do not claim the author is a fraud, as some readers have.

I just think he was out in the Nevada sun too long.

It was on Mormon Mesa in Nevada where Bethurum supposedly boarded the "Admiral Scow" from "Clarion" and talked to the crew of "small-sized" men and their glamorous female captain, "Aura Rhanes."

If it hadn't been for the feminine captain of the scow, I perhaps would have "bought" the story.

For the author refers to phenomena generally unknown except in highly specialized scientific fields.

He gives a logical explanation of the source of energy to power the craft.

He describes the huge saucer in great detail as to size, shape, kind of metal used and construction in general.

And he assures us at the conclusion of the book that Capt.Aura Rhanes has promised that she will some day soon take him on a visit through space to her planet.

As I say, I do not accept Mister Bethurum's story.

Especially because he had a tomato as a captain of the scow. That sounds too much like a B-picture in 3-D.

But, as for recommended reading material, I can truthfully say: "Aboard a Flying Saucer" is out of this world!