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In 1940, L. Ron Hubbard was living a hand-to-mouth existence
in New York City, writing penny-a-word pulp fiction stories.
Whilst there, he apparently had an argument with a steward
in the hotel at which he was staying. He promptly got revenge
by denouncing to the FBI the unfortunate man, who was of
German descent, as being "a menace to the state". This
was, it seems, the first contact he had had with the FBI
and began what became a long tradition for him of denouncing
to the authorities those he disliked. It also emphasised
his Germanophobia, a trait which he never lost (and which
is still visible today in the Church of Scientology's campaign
against the Federal Republic). Needless to say, the allegation
was patently baseless and the FBI took no action.
243 Riverside Drive
New York City
May 16, 1940
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen;
May I bring to your attention an
individual whose Nazi activities, in time of
national emergency if not at present, might
constitute him a menace to the state?
The name is [CENSORED] a German
whose sister is a member of the Gestapo in
Germany. His anti-American discourses concern
in the main what he would do in case we went
to war with Germany, and he never speaks for
publication along this line but only privately.
As steward of the [CENSORED] he supports
an almost entirely German staff, discouraging the
employment of Americans. He entered this country
illegally, according to his private statement.
In my opinion he is definitely "fifth column".
He can be found at the [CENSORED]
[CENSORED] in NYC.
My interest in this is impersonal,
though possibly shaded by the feeling of dislike
which he always inspires in me for he is the
last man in the world I would trust. And I
fear that all too soon we will have need of
every precaution to safeguard our country.
Sincerely,
[signed]
L. Ron Hubbard
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The .GIF file of the FBI's reply.
JSW:MAL
65-3115-1 [?]
May 24, 1940
Mr. L. Ron Hubbard
243 Riverside Drive
New York, New York
Dear Mr. Hubbard,
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter
dated May 16, 1940, for which I am most appreciative.
I am referring this matter to Mr. P.E. Foxworth,
Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
United States Department of Justice, 607 W. S. Court House,
Foley Square, New York, New York, who will have an Agent
of that Office call upon you in the near future to determine
whether the information in your possession indicates the
violation of a Federal Statute coming within the investigative
jurisdiction of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,
John Edgar Hoover,
Director
CC - New York (with copy of incoming)
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The .GIF file of the FBI's report, Page 1.
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
Subject reported steward at [CENSORED]
[CENSORED] and to have sympathies with the
Nazi cause. His sister is alleged to be
a member of the Gestapo in Germany.
Efforts to locate the informant unsuccess-
ful. Subject has no credit rating NYC.
- C -
DETAILS:
AT NEW YORK CITY
This investigation is based upon a letter received
at the Bureau from L. RON HUBBARD dated May 16, 1940 which
sets out that [CENSORED] is a German whose sister is a
member of the Gestapo in Germany and that in times of national
emergency he might constitute a menace to this country.
Subject is reported to be anti-American in his dis-
courses which are not for publication but among friends in
private. He is a steward at the [CENSORED]
[CENSORED] New York City, and said hotel is reported
to support an almost entirely Germany staff. Subject was
reported to have entered the country illegally and in the
opinion of the informant, he is definitely "fifth column."
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The .GIF file of the FBI's report, Page 2.
65-2437
An effort was made to locate the informant at
243 Riverside Drive, the address which appears at the top of
the communication he forwarded to the Bureau. It was learned
at the said address that informant moved out on or about
June 1, 1940, stating he was moving to Washington, D.C. He
left no forwarding address and it was further learned that
the mail carrier had no forwarding address. When inquiry was
made at the apartment house located at 243 Riverside Drive if
there had been any other address whereby informant might be
reached, it was learned that the informant was a writer but
there was no indication as to his employer or his address.
[PARAGRAPH CENSORED]
No effort was made to conduct investigation in the
vicinity of the [CENSORED] as subject would be
immediately apprized of such investigation.
In view of the indefinite nature of the complaint
and the inability to locate the informant in this case, this
case is being closed.
- C L O S E D -
- 2 -
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