From the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of
Justice, Washington, D.C.
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_:
[PARAGRAPH BLACKED OUT]
- 2 -
For L. Ron Hubbard's Navy war records, here is Ron the War Hero.
For further information on the Scientology organization's ideals and for copies of their once-secret documentation, here is Operation Clambake.