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Extra-Sensory Perception Part 01 (Final)
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Office Memorandum
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
A. H. Belmont
Tioz Mr. Belmont
DATE: July 16, 1957
W. A. Bramhan
Mr. Branigan Mr. De Tonch
age: EXTRA KENSORY PERCEPTION
74-1
strenada a private exhibition of extra sensory percepuron given by air. William Tovs at American Legion headquarters in Washington, D. C. This exhibition uus Thiformal the Veterandi individuals, principally officials ofre
Mr. Foss, resident of Bichmond, Va., is a high school 9 graduate employed in a minor capacity with the C. and O. Rally. About two years ago he became interested in extra sensory perception-(a term probably technically inaccurate) and began e experimenting with members of his fantly. He claims to have achieved amazing auccess and in recent weeks has received a considerable amount of publicitu in the Richmand area.
he is holding a number of exhibitions locally in an apparent attempt to create interest in his ability to teach the blind to see. He has appeared at Duke University where experiments have long been conducted on the power of extra sensory perception, and various government agencies (including the Veterana Administration) are very much interested. bic 7
Very simply, Foos claims the ability to teach the blind to sees in six months to teach a person without eyes to see sufficiently well to drive an automobile safely. He dinclaims any supe power and, not being a scientist physician, has technical or acientific explanation. He merely states that a person can do what he makes up his mind to do. He claims to have taught not only members of his family but approximately 25 other Individuals as well, including persona completely blind, to see with 100% efficiency.
To illustrate his ability, his daughter, Margaret Foos (about 16-17 years of age) una blindfolded by the observers with pada and an elastic band, thereafter reading, distingutshing color and moving about the room with complete ease. She could read
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Belmont from Branigan ReECTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION
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Extra-Sensory Perception Part 01 (Final)
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Belmont from Branigan
Re: EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION
minute handwriting submitted by those in attendance, accurately trace the written material and in all ways function without error as with complete vision. In answer to a question as to whether distance was a factor, Foos stated that during one recent public exhibit Wargaret had distinguished colored balloons at a distance of 400 feet. In answer to another question as to whether motion would complicate the problem, Margaret played the childhood game of jacks using a small (14" diameter) rubber ball, deftly retrieving it regardless of angle of bounce.
b7e
Mr. Foos was questioned as to his ability to teach a person to read an article covered by a pad or to see through a wall. He at that time avoided a direct answer, stating-that-because of the defense aspects of such a possibility he was not at liberty to discuss it. Later, however, in private conversation, he claimed that he had taught one of his students to accurately read an article completely obscured by heavy cardboard and that teaching the ability to see beyond a solid masonry wall uns merely a matter of degree. He would pursue this matter no further.
inquired of Foos as to his general method of teaching whether individual tutoring was essential. He stated that he had taught a group with equal facility. He further stated that he had found it much easier and had had greater success in teaching the physically blind rather than those with ordinary vision. byc
OBSERVATIONS
Should his claims be well-founded, to the value which could accrue to the FBI there is no limit complete and undetectable access to mail, the diplomatic pouch; visual access to buildings the possibilities are unlimited insofar as law enforce-ment and counterintelligence are concerned.
As fantastic as this may appear, the actuality of extra sensory perception has long been recognized though not to the degree of perfection claimed by Mr. Foos. It is difficult to see how the Bureau can afford to not inquire into this matter more
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Extra-Sensory Perception Part 01 (Final)
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Rez EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION
fully.
Bureau interest can be completely discreet and controlled and no embarrassment would result.
RECOMENDATION:
that the FBI make further inquiry
claimed
ability to teach the blind to see, bearing in mind the tremendous potential to the FBI should these claims prove well founded. Attached for approval is a memorandum for Richmond Office with copies for Mobile.
to be
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13 they we're b I'm d o min blinds min nig
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Extra-Sensory Perception Part 01 (Final)
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Office Memorandum
TO
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DATE:
DIRECTOR, FBI
August 13, 1957
SAC, RICHMOND (62-1269)
SUBJECT: EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION INFORMATION CONCERNING
Re Bulet July 22, 1957.
bye bye
The records in the library of the Richmond Times, Dispatc and the Richmond News-Leader, newspapers of Richmond Virginia, were checked on August 9, 1957, by SA which re-flected an article by K. LEWIS WARREN, date lined June 17, (1957), which related that MARGARET FOOS, a sixteen year old high school girl, had demonstrated with her father, WILLIAM FOOS, of Ellerson, Virginia, methods by which WILLIAM POOS hoped to teach the blind to read. Cotton pads had been placed over the eyes of MARGARET FOOS, secured by a a black elastic blindfold, and in that condition she had, found and read passage from a magazine furnished by a reporter and had read samples of handwriting as well as verses from the Bible by request from the audience.
The article further stated that WILLIAM FOOS did not claim to be a psychologist or to have had even elementary know-ledge of the subject; however, he claimed to have read everything possible on the subject of Extra Sensory Perception since starting his experiments some two years previous.
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-Bureau Charlotte
Richmond (62-1269)
62/07
(4) inhole to Ta
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12 AUG 14 1957
C.DaLoach) E
70 SEP 17-1057
BSP SEC.
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F37E SEP 171957
BSP SEC.
RH 62-1269
The article further stated that FOOS was a foreman in the salvage warehouse of the C. & 0. Railway on leave of absence, that he started experimenting with the children who visited his place in Hanover County, Virginia, to fish and ride his horses and later began working with friends. Further, that POOS had recently been to Duke University where he had demon-strated for two days before Dr. JOSEPH B. RHINE, an eminent authority on the subject and other members of the Parasychology Department of the University.
The article then states that FOOS impressed the viewers as being thoroughly sincere and stated that his main interest in his project is to help the blind; however, he refused to divulge his methods of teaching, but believed he can teach other instructors in the field.
The article further set out that FOOS hoped to obtain a charter for Extra Sensory Perception Research, Inc., and listed the backers and members of the organization as HENRY CARAVATI, Richmond Public Relations Man, WILLIAM CANTOR, an auctioneer, and ROBERT CANTOR, a lawyer. Further, if the charter was granted, FOOS planned to recruit blind youngsters who would be willing to cooperate in the experiment.
The library contained another newspaper article, date lined June 22, (1957), to the effect that ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) Research, Inc., received a charter yesterday from the State Corporation Commission and will undertake clinical training for the blind. The officers and staff of the organi-zation were set forth as followss
WILLIAM A. FOOS, President and Director of Research HENHY L. CARAVATI, Vice-President
ROBERT A. LLOYD, Vice-President SAM LOMBARDO, Vice-President
ROBERT CANTOR, Secretary WILLIAM CANTOR, Treasurer
MARGARET FOOS, Research Assistant
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