Newark Convention

Science Fiction Convention
Name:	The Newark Convention; officially the First National Science Fiction Convention
Dates:	May 29, 1938
Frequency:	Once
Location:	Newark, NJ
Type:
Focus:	Science Fiction
Organization:
Founder:
Founding Date:
URL:
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The Newark Convention, also known as the First National Science Fiction Convention or the Fourth Eastern, was held on May 29, 1938. It was planned and run by William S. Sykora and Sam Moskowitz.

Tensions were high in fandom following the Third Eastern Science Fiction Convention seven months earlier. There Donald A. Wollheim and John B. Michel had debuted a leftist movement known as Michelism in a speech called Mutation or Death! Their club, the Futurians, had already been in a long-term feud with New Fandom and the Queens Science Fiction League, both run by Sykora and Moskowitz along with James V. Taurasi.

By the time of the Newark Convention, Sykora, Moskowitz and Taurasi (known as the Triumvirs) were gunning for the rights to plan the first Worldcon. Sykora was also in the middle of an attempt to resurrect the International Scientific Association, which Wollheim had completely dissolved in 1937 after Sykora resigned as the head. Wollheim and his friends distributed literature denouncing Sykora's plans, and tried to encourage other fans to abandon the failed ISA and move towards a broader social movement, to be led by the Futurians. David A. Kyle argued with Sykora about this point, and Sykora proceeded to disband the existing Worldcon committee, which meant removing Wollheim as chairman along with several other Futurians. Other fans protested, and Kyle circulated a petition against Sykora. Sykora's first attempt to make a new committee didn't take, but Worldcon would eventually be planned by New Fandom and the Triumvirs.

Sykora's motion to bring back the ISA failed at the Newark Convention.

Reports

Robert A. Madle

Will Sykora was the first to greet us, and after proper introductions were made, we entered the building where your scribe immediately met James V. Taurasi and John Giunta. We were then introduced to Louis Kuslan and various other fans. Herbert Goudket, the Official Photographer, requested everyone to make their exodus for the outer spaces so he could snap some pictures. This took close to a half-hour, and then those present once again entered the building;but only after signing their names on Nathan Schupsk's official attendee sheet.

By this time, well over 100 had arrived, and the convention was about to start. Sitting next to where we (Quinn and myself) were sitting was Harry Dockweiler, who was busily smoking cigarettes and displaying photos of Frederik Pohl in various communistic poses. While interestedly inspecting a photo of Fred addressing a multitude of young communists, Will SYkora walked over and thrust the minutes of the preceding convention inmy hands, with the request that I read them. I made my way to the front of the room and proceeded to read what the great John V. Baltadonis (who was supposed to have been secretary) had written. After the gory details were over, Sam Moskowitz, the Chairman, addressed the huge throng of scientifiction fans. Sam spoke very engrossingly on the relation of the reader, editor and author of science fiction. This interesting speech was immediately followed by that of William S. Sykora, who addressed the delegates on the feasibility of holding a World Conventin in conjunction with the World's Fair in 1939. Milton A. Rothman, our own Milt, was the next speaker, and he also made more than casual mention of the World Convention. The latter portion of Milt's speech concerned itself with the comparison of the development of classicalmusic with that of science fiction.

Mr. John W. Campbell, author, editor and fan, was then called upon... Mr. Campbell's speech dealt with the subject of fan magazines, and many an amateur editor perked up his ears when Mr. Campbell commenced to speak. Editor Campbell made public the fact that he is gravely interested in fan publications, and sincerely believes that a magazine of the old FANTASY MAGAZINE calibre will be a definite asset to the World Convention in that it will be capable of contacting the "outer circle" of fans. Most of the present fan mags, being published with the hektograph, do not have this capability.... Mr. Mortimer Weisinger, Managing Editor of THRILLING WONDER STORIES was called upon to make a short address... which was, fortunately or unfortunately, intermingled with pertinent remarks by Herbert Goudket. Fortunately, Messers Goudket and Weisinger are old friends, and all remarks were received with a friendly smile. Both Mr. Weisinger and Mr. Campbell announced that they would do their utmost to promote the World Convention. Telegrams were received from Editor Wright of WEIRD TALES, Editor Goodman of MARVEL SCIENCE STORIES, and Editor Palmer of AMAZING STORIES, all wishing the convention the best of success.

Robert A. Madle: Convention Review. Fantascience Digest #4 pp. 15-17. (May 1938)

Madle said that the first film shown was "the Einstein Film", which explained the theory of relativity, followed by a few science fiction shorts. The Lost World then flashed on the screen, but was postponed as many people had already seen it and others "weren't overly anxious". In the end, the convention ran so long that The Lost World was never seen (along with Milton Rothman's marionette show).

The remainder of the program consisted of introductions of the various authors, may of whom related short anecdotes when called upon. Among the celebrities present were Otis Adelbert Kline, Manley Wade Wellman, John D. Clark, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, L. Sprague de Camp, Otto and Jack Binder, Leo Margulies, Milton Kaletsky, Julius Schwartz, Conrad Ruppert (publisher of the old FANTASY MAGAZINE), Leo Margulies and others. The latter part of the meeting consisted of discussion and the reorganization of the International Scientific Association. After much bickering and arguing it was finally decided that there will definitely be a World Science Fiction Convention next year... and a committee was appointed by Will Sykora. This committee is merely a temporary one, and the final one will consist of almost every active fan.

After the convention proper was adjourned, an auction of various fan mags and such was held, and some of the prices paid were certainly ridiculous. Alex Osheroff must have struck oil in his back yard, for he was the chief bidder, and did he pay! Following this, Milt Rothman, Jack Agnew, Bernard Quinn, Milt Asquith, Will Sykora and your scribe held a "meeting after the meeting" at the home of Sam Moskowitz where discussion of the convention and sundry items held sway. Sam proudly displayed his fan magazine collection to me, and it certainly is a swell one! Someday I'll display ours to Sam.

Madle also commented on the convention in his column for the Science Fiction Collector, Fantaglimmerings:

Some notes about the First National Science Fiction Convention will probably not be amiss. will probably not be amiss. First of all, the affair was a tremendous success as far as attendance is concerned. There were over 100 readers, fans, authors, editors and science hobbyists present. The Convention Hall was completely occupied, and there were several standing! Will Sykora and Sam Moskowitz believe that if 100 are sufficiently interested to attend a small convention, perhaps 1000 will attend the forthcoming World Science Fiction Convention. Frankly, I believe that, with proper cooperation from the professional publications, there is no reason why this large number will not attend. And speaking of cooperation, both John W. Campbell and Mort Weisinger have stated that they will devote considerable space to advertising the World Convention. Thrilling Wonder's sister magazine will also contain an advertisement when it hits the stands, which will occur some time next winter.

Among the celebrities present were: Campbell, Weisinger, Margulies, L. Sprague de Camp, Otto and Jack Binder, Manly Wade Wellman, Eshbach, F. Belknap Long, J.D. Clark, R.D. Swisher, Kline and several others. The fan group included all the New York fans, of course, and in addition: the Philadelphia group, comprising Rothman, Asquith, Agnew, Quinn, Simpson and Madle; Louis Kuslan, John J. Weir, David A. Kyle, Anyzeski, Doolittle, Swisher, and numerous others. One significant fact was that were more inactive fans present than the active ones.... I'm quite sure that many of these inactive fans, who have now received the urge, will soon become members of active fandom.

Of course, speeches were presented by all of the celebrities, and plans for the World Convention were formulated. It was unanimously agreed that there must be some organization to sponsor the convention next year, but whether this organization will be the ISA or a new fan club is a debatable point. Naturally, the Wollheim group could not permit the ISA to be reorganized as this would be reconstructing what they destroyed. However, the ISA will be reorganized, and only the future can tell whether the World Convention will be sponsored by this great organization.

There were a large number of magazines, pamphlets, etc. distributed at the convention. Most of them were quite good, both of manner of reproduction and material contained therein. However, there were a few utterly stupid handbills distributed by the CPASF(Communist Party's Agitators in Science Fandom-thanks to Jack Speer) telling all fans to write to TWS because a certain employee received his walking papers. Too bad. Another asked "Who are the Friends of the ISA?" and denounced those who plan to reorganize it as deadly enemies of the organization. Such inane and stupid statements as: "We oppose firmly snf [sic] unhesitatingly all attempts made to slander, befoul and besmirch the name of the ISA," and "dragging its proud flag into the dust," etc. This type of Wollheimish drivel goes on for five paragraphs, and then requests all those who sympathize with them to join the "Friends of the ISA". And he expects the fan world to consume that baloney!

Robert A. Madle: "Fantaglimmerings" in Science Fiction Collector #19 pp. 29-31 (May 1938)

John James Weir

John James Weir, normally a silent fan, was one of those who signed a petition by David A. Kyle condemning Will Sykora's behavior at the con. He wrote an article in the Science Fiction Collector explaining his decision:

At the last convention I met many old friends besides making new ones. Among the former was Dave Kyle, who happens to be a personal friend. Having exhausted the usual conversation, the talk turned toward the organization of a new club to take the plans of the defunct ISA.... I was enthused enough over the idea to warrant the transferring of my attention from the reorganization of the ISA to this new project.

During the convention Mr. Kyle brought this idea to the attention of the chairman, but it was finally put off until the discussion afterwards. Indeed the flames of discord had already begun to smoulder, bursting forth during the discussion. There was an almost personal argument between Will Sykora and Kyle, and only for the fact that they were in front of a group hot words would have tumbled forth.... It had been rumored about during and before the convention that the Michelist group had come for the specific purpose of making a chaos out of the convention, that they were going to do everything within their power to make it a failure. It would be foolish to suppose that the sponsors of the convention would not hear of it, and so being human beings, they would be tense, listening to every word to find out which ones formed the bomb of the Michelists. Kyles talk about a new club, instead of a reorganized ISA, probably made Sykora suspect that this was the long awaited for Michelist bomb, which most certainly was a false suspicion, but in your humble writer's opinion it was a mistake that anyone under the same circumstances would have made. He began to flare at Kyle, and the latter having a backbone did not take it quietly. It was then, as admiration was being formed for Kyle, that Will made a fatal mistake. As chairman of the Second Science Fiction Convention, he had appointed a World's Fair Committee with Donald Wollheim as Chairman of this committee. Since then, however, they had broken up their friendship. At this convention, where Sam Moskowitz was chairman, Will made an entirely new committee. Immediately there were protests and the feeling against him grew. Even the enemies of Wollheim didn't like this, for it is not considered good sportsmanship. Dave protested that the committee were all friends of the Sykora and that they others did not have a say in the matter; another protested that the committee (the one appointed at the second convention) had already been chosen. After arguing for some time, the discussion was adjourned, still in doscord. Then Dave Kyle wrote a petition against Sykora's undemocratic act. Every person I saw write his name below the petition had read the petition first. That to disprove the remark made in one of the issues of Helios.

That appointment of a new committee was the only major wrong that Will committed during a fine convention. I appreciate Will's desire to have a convention that would surpass all those that had preceded, but I do not think that he should take the whole affair into his own hands, not caring what the other fans wish to do. That is why I signed the protest.

John James Weir: "Signing the Petition" in Science Fiction Collector #23 pp. 6-8 (Jan. 1939)

Dick Wilson

Dick Wilson attended with the other Futurians.

(A BLOW-BY-BLOW description of the First National or Fourth Eastern Science Fiction Convention--choose one)

RANDOM thoughts: Frederik Pohl's obvious malaise as he rode through anti-Red-Hague-ridden Jersey City with a Young Communistic League cap on his head on his way to the Convention via Hudson Tubes... The New York delegation chanting

"We're the friends of the I-S-A., / All its enemies we will slay"

as it bussed its way through the streets of Newark...L. Sprague de Camp, student of phonetics, and his amusing dialect-mimicry...R. D. Swisher, Ph. D., who announced that he was writing a hundred-odd page essay on time-travel and requires only a guarantee that it will be published in a fan magazine. He has probably been deluged with offers by now...The telegram from the editor of MARVEL SCIENCE STORIES, asking for a complete report of the Convention for publication in its next issue...Alex Osheroff, mighty editor of THE SCIENCE FICTION SCOUT, wildly bidding on everything in sight at the auction sponsored by the Los Angeles SFL until his seemingly inexhaustible supply of dollar bills vanished into the hands of the auctioneer...The exciting news that John W. Campbell Jr. is seriously thinking of instituting a column in ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION listing the fan magazines, their prices, and names and addresses of their editors. His only worry is that this would be unfair to the hectographed publications, whose circulation couldn't increase any too much, leaving would-be subscribers No. 51-on out in the cold.

THE BATTLE OF THE BUFFET. Prologue: "There will be," said William S. Sykora, smirking to himself, "a sufficiency of food. There will, in fact, be a superabundance of edibles. I am worred about what to do with all that will be left over." And he indicated the furrows in his forehead.

ACTION: We returned from a brief siesta in the fresh air to find a shoving, milling, shouting mob, five deep, in front of a table which graoned (gross exaggeration) under piles of bread, bologna, soda pop, cookies, etc. Undaunted and brimming with hunger, we plunged in, braving sharp elbows and sharper glances. We arrived, after much buffetting, at the table. Disappointment was keen.....

EPILOGUE: Close-up of Wilson looking disconsolately at spoils: two bread-and-butter pickles and one ginger-cookie, badly battered....

THE GREAT MOCK TRIAL. The Time: Nearing Midnight, May 29-30, 1938. The Place: Silver's Cafeteria, Park Row, New York. Dramatis Personae: The Judge, Frederik Pohl; Counsel for the Defense, David A. Kyle; Public Prosecutor, John B. Michel; Foreman of the Jury, Donald A. Wollheim; Jurors, twelve---no, ten---good scientifans and true; Sam (Sham) Moskowitz, the Prisoner, Cyril Kornbluth.

Dick Wilson: Way Down East. Imagination! #10 pg. 10 (July 1938)

Wilson claimed that a gathering of the Futurians had condemned Moskowitz to death following a guilty plea from the defense, after which the prisoner was offered knives with which to commit hara-kiri. They considered burning him in effigy in the form of a paper napkin, but were contented with stabbing toothpicks into the napkin like a voodoo doll.