FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI #29
TO : Mr. A. H. Belmont
DATE: August 11, 1958
FROM : Mr. F. J. Baumgardner
SUBJECT: ACADEMY OF SCIENTOLOGY
1812 19TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
INFORMATION CONCERNING
(INTERNAL SECURITY)
WFO airtel 8-5-58 captioned "The Organizations of America,
Information Concerning (Internal Security)" advised [BLACKED OUT]
Washington, D.C. , had advised that some film had been received
from the Academy of Scientology for synchronization of the film and
sound tracks; that [BLACKED OUT] believed the films contained
communist propaganda; and requested that an Agent of the Washington
Field Office review the films prior to return to the Academy. WFO
airtel 8-7-58 under the same caption advised that the films, which
were delivered by [BLACKED OUT] of the Academy, had been reviewed
and it was determined that the commentator of the films was L. Ron
Hubbard, founder of the Academy. The films, which are to be used
for lecture purposes, go into the theory of scientology, which
Hubbard in his commentary describes as a science which attempts to
"set free" the individual in order to increase his creativeness and
tolerance. Hubbard also, in his commentary, criticizes present
society; states now that the Government has produced the hydrogen
bomb it would seem to indicate that the end goal of Government is
killing more people faster; and criticizes psychology, psychiatry
and religion. Hubbard also mentions he has had dealings with
criminals, having been a policeman at one time, and states, "The
FBI thinks there's such a thing as a criminal mind ... always a big
joke; there is a criminal mind and a noncriminal mind. The FBI has
never shown me a noncriminal mind. Of course, these are terrible
things to say - simply comments on J. Edgar who is an awfully good
guy, stupid, but awfully good."
Bufile 62-94080 reflects that 1812 19th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., is also the address of the Hubbard Association
of Scientologists International; that Richard F. Steves is the
organization's secretary; that Hubbard's full name is reflected in
the files of the Department of State as Lafayette Ronald Hubbard;
and that Hubbard was the founder and president of the Hubbard
Dianetic Research Foundation, Inc., (HDRF) which was incorporated
in New Jersey in early 1950 for the purpose of furthering the
dianetics works of Hubbard.
JHK:fkj
(4)
[page 2]
Memo to Mr. Belmont
Re: ACADEMY OF SCIENTOLOGY
The HDRF moved several times between 1950 and 1956 when it
located at Silver Spring, Maryland. The HDRF has encountered
difficulty with police officers in New Jersey, Michigan, and
District of Columbia for allegedly conducting a school in those
areas in which a branch of medicine and surgery was taught without
a license. Further, the April 24, 1951, issue of the "Washington
Times Herald" contained an article with a dateline in Los Angeles
relating that Hubbard's wife in suing for divorce claimed he was
"hopelessly insane" and had subjected her to "scientific torture
experiments." According to the article, "competent medical advisors
recommended that Hubbard be committed to a private sanitarium for
psychiatric observation and treatment of a mental ailment known
paranoid schizophrenia." It was also alleged that the HDRF which
dealt with a "medical science of mental health" did a more than one
million dollar business in 1950. During the early part of 1956 HDRF
was circularizing a pamphlet entitled "Brain-Washing, A Synthesis
of the Russian Textbook on Psychopolitics." According to the book
psychopolitics is the "art and science of asserting and maintaining
domination of the thoughts and loyalties of individuals, officers,
bureaus, and masses, and the effecting of the conquest of enemy
nations through mental health.'" Bufiles reflect Hubbard has
corresponded with the Bureau on numerous occasions; however, such
correspondence has not been acknowledged.
Bufile 105-55600 reflects that the Organizations of America and
the Citizens of Washington, Inc., in late 1956 were located at 1621
Connecticut Ave., N.W., and that the individuals associated with
those organizations were either teachers or students at the Academy
of Scientology.
The Bureau has never investigated any of the afore-mentioned
organizations
_ACTION_:
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