FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI #121
Office Memorandum - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : A.H. Belmont
DATE: March 17, 1954
FROM : F. [?] Baumgardner
SUBJECT: DIANETICS
INFORMATION CONCERNING
(INTERNAL SECURITY)
An undated referral note from [BLACKED OUT] directed to Mr. L.B.
Nichols, inquires "What do you think of this? S."
The note has attached an anonymous letter dated March 5, 1954,
addressed to [BLACKED OUT] which sets forth that the writer in 1947
joined an anti-Communist Party organization which has since been
labeled as subversive. After a few months he left this group
because as he now realizes he did not have the fortitude required
to be a Communist.
Subsequently he became involved with "Dianetics" in which the
emotion of enthusiasm is considered the cure-all of illnesses and
evils that beset mankind.
He points out that the Communist is an ill person who can be
cured and inquires whether the tactics used by Senator McCarthy
have not actually fostered Communism.
Also, he inquires what type of hospitalization insurance can
possibly pay for lengthy hospitalization.
He concludes stating the Dianetics has been a great boost to
him.
Bufiles disclose that one L. Ron Hubbard in about 1949 wrote a
book entitled "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental" and
established an organization known as the Hubbard Dianetic Research
Foundation, Inc. The purpose of this organization was to teach the
practice of Dianetics which is allegedly a new approach to the
treatment of many physical and mental illnesses without the use of
drugs or medicines. Hubbard has contacted the Bureau on several
occasions alleging that a number of employees of the Foundation are
Communists or Communist sympathizers.
Bufiles reflect that there was some Communist influence in the
Washington, D.C., branch of the Foundation which was on an
individual basis rather than a program of the Foundation.
Allegations have been received that the activities of the
Foundation are of particular interest to sexual perverts and
hypochondriacs. An article concerning the Foundation appeared in
"Look" magazine for December 5, 1950, on page 79 under the title
"Dianetics, Science or Hoax." (100-384196)
[SHORT PARAGRAPH BLACKED OUT]
cc - Mr. Nichols
MJR:rw
***
[attachment, handwritten, apparently on notepaper, undated]
From
[BLACKED OUT]
Dear Lou:
What do you think of this?
S.
