FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI #85
OPTIONAL FORM NO 10
UNITED STATES GOVER[__]NT
Memorandum
TO: Mr. A. Rosen
DATE: July 2, 1963
FROM: Mr. G.H. Scatterday
SUBJECT: FOUNDING CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY
INQUIRY CONCERNING
[BLACKED OUT] Peace Corps [BLACKED OUT], on July 1, 1963,
telephonically contacted Assistant Director C.A. Evans and
requested information as to whether the FBI was conducting and
investigation concerning the captioned organization. The matter was
referred to the Name Check Section for handling.
Bureau files were reviewed by Special Agent [BLACKED OUT] and
[BLACKED OUT] was subsequently telephonically advised in reply
to his inquiry that this Bureau has conducted no investigation
concerning the Founding Church of Scientology. [BLACKED OUT]
was advised that according to information in Bureau files the
organization was founded by Lafayette Ron Hubbard concerning whom
there has been considerable publicity in the past. [BLACKED OUT]
was advised that if Hubbard's background was of interest to him
he might desire to review the December 5, 195[?], issue of "Look"
magazine which contained an article entitled "Dianetics - Science
or Hoax," and the April 24, 1951, issue of the "Times Herald,"
Washington, D.C., newspaper, which contained an article concerning
a divorce suit against Hubbard wherein his wife charged that
"competent medical advisors recommended that Hubbard be committed
to a private sanitarium for psychiatric observation and treatment
of a mental illness known as paranoid schizophrenia." He was also
referred to the Food and Drug Administration in view of publicity
concerning a raid on offices occupied by Hubbard by representatives
of that administration on January 4, 1963.
[BLACKED OUT] was very appreciative of the information furnished
and stated that the foregoing fully answered his request.
It should be noted that Hubbard, who has a long history of
participation in organizations professing "cure-alls" for both
physical and mental illnesses, has corresponded
1 - Mr. Rosen
1 - Mr. Evans
1 - Name Check Section
DRR:bep
(4)
[page 2]
Memorandum to Mr. A. Rosen
Re: Founding Church of Scientology
Inquiry Concerning
with this Bureau and the Department on several occasions for
various reasons including complaints about his wife and about
alleged communists.
_RECOMMENDATIONS_
For information.
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