SMITH, Garret

(?1876-1954)

   US journalist and newspaper editor who was active with sf stories in magazines like The Argosy, where several novels appeared. Only Between Worlds (1919 Argosy; 1929), one of his weakest, reached book form;it is a semi-juvenile tale that begins on a DYSTOPIAN Venus and concludes on Earth, with female protagonists plotting to conquer the world. Of more interest are "On the Brink of 2000" (1910 Argosy) and "The Treasures of Tantalus" (1920-21 Argosy All-Story), which feature devices to seeanything happening anywhere in the world; the morality of these is discussed, though at no great length. The FLAMMARION-inspired "After a Million Years" (1919 Argosy) comprehends a dystopian Earth, an EdenicJupiter, mad scientists, telepathic powers, aliens and the virtual extinction of humanity. Other magazine novels include "Thirty Years Late" (1928 Argosy All-Story) and "The Girl in the Moon" (1928 ArgosyAll-Story). GS was a sometimes capable writer whose ideas tended to outclass his fiction.

RB

   See also: FANTASTIC VOYAGES.