But even though the “little men” story had turned out-as expected—a dud, Koehler had done me a good turn. An old friend, William E. Barrett, well-known fiction writer, now lived in Denver. Thanks to Koehler’s gag, I had a pleasant visit with Bill and his family.
On the trip back, I bought a paper at the Chicago airport. On an inside page I ran across Koehler’s name. According to the A.P., he had just admitted the whole thing was a big joke.
But in spite of this, the “little men” story goes on and on. Apparently not even Koehler can stop it now.
CHAPTER XIX
For two weeks after my return to Washington, General Sory Smith held off a final answer about my trip to Wright Field. Meantime, Ken Purdy had called him backing my request to see the Project files.
It was obvious to me that Wright Field was determined not to open the files. But the General was trying to avoid making it official.
“Why can’t you accept my word there’s nothing to the saucers?” he asked me one day. “You’re impeaching my personal veracity.”
But finally he saw there was no other way out. He told me I had been officially refused permission to see the Wright Field files. Some time later, Ken Purdy phoned General Smith.
“General, if the Air Force wants to talk to us off the record, we’ll play ball. True will either handle it from then on whatever way you think best or we’ll keep still.”
Whether this offer was relayed higher up, I don’t know. But nothing came of it.