Skip to content
Civil Rights and Labor History Consortium / University of Washington

EPIC Campaign News Coverage


George Creel, defeated by Sinclair in the primary election, has the last laugh in the scornful account of the campaign for the Saturday Evening Post.

From August through November 1934, Upton Sinclair's election campaign made headlines in newspapers and magazines across the country. Here are copies of 17 articles from influential magazines followed by lists of more than 100 key articles in newspapers outside of California and separately in the Los Angeles Times

Magazines

Literary Digest (the premier news magazine):

Kenneth Stewart, "Upton Sinclair and His Epic Plan for Calfornia," August 25, 1934

Robert Ordway Foote, "The Radical vs. Conservative Issue in California," September 8, 1934

"Industrial Truce to Fore as Election Nears," October 13, 1934

Upton Sinclair, "Reforms Urged by Two Outstanding Political Figures," October 13, 1934

The Nation:

Oswald Garrison Villard, "Upton Sinclair Startles California," July 11, 1934

"Upton Sinclair's Victory," September 12, 1934

Upton Sinclair, "End Poverty in Civilization," September 26, 1934

"The Epic of Upton Sinclair," October 31, 1934

"Sinclair, La Follette, and Cutting," November 7, 1934

Raymond Gram Swing, "Last Look at the Campaign," November 7, 1934

Upton Sinclair, "A Retraction from Mr. Sinclair," January 16, 1935

Oswald Garrison Villard, "Come Laugh at California," May 15, 1935

New Republic:

Carey McWilliams, "Upton Sinclair and His E.P.I.C.," August 22, 1934

Carey McWilliams, "High Spots in the Campaign," November 7, 1934

Christian Century:

"Do Socialists Want Socialism?," September 19, 1934

Devere Allen reply: "Do Socialists Want Socialism?," October 3, 1934

Saturday Evening Post:

George Creel, "Utopia Unlimited," November 24, 1934


Newspapers outside of California

(list from ProQuest Historical newspapers)
Title Newspaper Date
SOCIALIST MAY JOIN NEW DEAL: UPTON SINCLAIR A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IN CALIFORNIA HIRAM JOHNSON ON TICKET Wall Street Journal Aug 22, 1934
UPTON SINCLAIR AS GOVERNOR: PROGRAMME OF LETTING UNEMPLOYED RUN IDLE FACTORIES ORGANISING CONSERVATIVE AMERICANS Manchester Guardian Aug 27, 1934
New Dealists Watch Ballot in California: Victory by Sinclair Today Might Cost Democrats All of State's Seats in House; Mississippi and South Carolina Also Vote. Washington Post Aug 28, 1934
SINCLAIR FAR AHEAD IN CALIFORNIA VOTE: "END POVERTY" PLATFORM WINS HIM BIG LEAD Daily Boston Globe Aug 29, 1934
Sinclair Plan to End Poverty Dominant Issue in California: Favors Bond Issue to Buy Idle Land, Factories to Employ Jobless. Washington Post Aug 29, 1934
SINCLAIR PILES UP COMMANDING LEAD IN CALIFORNIA VOTE: MARGIN NEARLY 3 TO 1 OVER CREEL FOR DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR. MERRIAM G.O.P. NOMINEE SOUTH CAROLINA LIQUOR TEST IS CLOSE -- STEPHENS RUNS AHEAD IN MISSISSIPPI. SINCLAIR LEADING IN CALIFORNIA VOTE APPARENT WINNERS IN CALIFORNIA PRIMARY. New York Times Aug 29, 1934
SINCLAIR "DEFI" TO CAPITALISM: DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE SAYS NEW PLAN MUST COME DECLARES FOR CALIFORNIA STATE CREDIT TO PROVIDE LAND Daily Boston Globe Aug 30, 1934
Sinclair Describes Triumph As 'Birth of New System' Atlanta Constitution  Aug 30, 1934
SUCCESS FOR UPTON SINCLAIR: SOCIALIST AUTHOR MAY BE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA Manchester Guardian Aug 30, 1934
Sinclair Victory Viewed as End Of Party Lines: Leaders See Difficulties in Drafting Platform at Convention. Washington Post Aug 30, 1934
Sinclair Vote Points to Test For New Deal: Roosevelt Support for Candidate May Bring Cry of 'Socialism.' Sinclair Vote Held New Deal Test; Socialism Issue Looms Washington Post Aug 30, 1934
Sinclair Tells How He Will Make Jobs For California's Idle If He Is Elected New York Times Aug 30, 1934
Socialists Think Worse of New Deal Than Ever, Says Thomas, Belittling Sinclair "Resignation" Wall Street Journal Sep 1, 1934
SINCLAIR IS OPPOSED BY MORE DEMOCRATS: D.F. SUPPLE OF CALIFORNIA STATE COMMITTEE AMONG THOSE WHO OBJECT TO SOCIALIST. New York Times Sep 2, 1934
PREDICT A REVOLT AGAINST SINCLAIR: HYDE SEES A DILEMMA FOR 'OLD-LINE' DEMOCRATS -- FESS EXPECTS CONSERVATIVE UNITY. WITH SOCIALISM AS ISSUE EX-SECRETARY NOTES A SPLIT BETWEEN NEW DEAL AND ITS PARTY ON 'PRINCIPLES.' New York Times Sep 2, 1934
Party Set-Ups Face Shake-Up, Sinclair Says: Complete Realignment of Major Political Units Is Predicted. Washington Post Sep 3, 1934
SINCLAIR TALKS WITH ROOSEVELT: CALIFORNIA NOMINEE FINDS PRESIDENT MOST CHARMING MAN HE EVER MET Atlanta Constitution  Sep 5, 1934
Sinclair Says Nation Needs 'EPIC' Plan: Huge Barter System Is Outlined Here on Visit. Tells Leaders How He Aims to Abolish Poverty. Sinclair Says U.S. Needs His "EPIC" Plan Outlines Recovery Idea to Leaders on Visit Here. Washington Post Sep 6, 1934
CALIFORNIA VIBRATES TO 'LITTLE CAUSES': THE RALLYING OF DIVERSE FORCES BEHIND UPTON SINCLAIR IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THE CRUSADING SPIRIT IN THE STATE CALIFORNIA'S 'LITTLE CAUSES' THE RALLYING OF FORCES BEHIND SINCLAIR IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THE CRUSADING SPIRIT New York Times Sep 9, 1934
Party 'Rebels' Back Sinclair: Young Democrats Form Own Organization to Fight Merriam. Washington Post Sep 14, 1934
Movies to Oppose Sinclair Wall Street Journal Oct 3, 1934
SCHENCK SAYS MOVIES MUST FLEE SINCLAIR: PRODUCER, HERE, REPORTS HIS COMPANY WILL MOVE EAST OR SOUTH IF EPIC HEAD WINS. New York Times Oct 6, 1934
HOLLYWOOD THREATENS TO MOVE EAST New York Times Oct 14, 1934
EPIC'S CHANCES DROP STEADILY: CALIFORNIA BUSINESS ENCOURAGED, THOUGH FARLEY'S BACKING OF SINCLAIR DISTURBED THEM PRIVATE POLLS NOW ON EPIC'S CHANCES DROP STEADILY Wall Street Journal Oct 23, 1934
SINCLAIR CLAIMS FOES BUY VOTES: CHARGES CARDS IN POLL SOLD FOR 25 CENTS PRESIDENT STILL AVOIDS PART IN CALIFORNIA CONTEST Daily Boston Globe Oct 25, 1934
California, Here We Come... Daily Boston Globe Oct 25, 1934
Sinclair Faces Defeat, Assert Observers Here: Roosevelt's Coolness and Digest Poll Bases for Opinions. Washington Post Oct 25, 1934
SINCLAIR LOSER IN POLL: LITERARY DIGEST SHOWS MERRIAM LEADING SINCLAIR TWO TO ONE Wall Street Journal Oct 25, 1934
Party Chiefs Turn Backs On Sinclair: Support Is Withdrawn by Creel, Defeated Candidate. Letter of Indorsement From Farley Called a 'Mistake.' Sinclair Loses New Deal Backing Washington Post Oct 27, 1934
SINCLAIR'S ELECTION CHANCES RECEDING: ROOSEVELT DECLINES COMMENT, GEORGE CREEL WITHDRAWS SUPPORT AND POLL IS AGAINST HIM Wall Street Journal Oct 27, 1934
ROOSEVELT SEEN HOSTILE TO SINCLAIR'S CANDIDACY; CREEL TURNS AGAINST HIM: FARLEY LETTER A 'MISTAKE' ONE OF FORMS DRAWN UP FOR VARIOUS STATES BUT NOT APPROVED. RUBBER STAMP SIGNATURE ONE VERSION IS THAT COPIES WERE ORDERED DESTROYED BY NATIONAL CHAIRMAN. PICTURED AS 'CHAGRINED' MCADOO FINDS THAT HE CANNOT REACH CALIFORNIA IN TIME TO SPEAK FOR CANDIDATE. ROOSEVELT ALOOF TO UPTON SINCLAIR New York Times Oct 27, 1934
SINCLAIR CHARGES MOVIE "PROPAGANDA": WIRES WALSH REQUEST FOR CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY Daily Boston Globe Oct 29, 1934
SINCLAIR FOES TURN TO THE JOBHOLDERS: ENERGETIC CAMPAIGN IS BELIEVED TO BE AROUSING FEARS OF THE 'WHITE COLLAR' MEN. ODDS SHIFT TO MERRIAM SUPPOSED ROOSEVELT 'COOLNESS' IS EMPHASIZED AS SALES OF 'EPIC' PAMPHLET LAG. New York Times Oct 29, 1934
ELECTION WOULD GIVE SINCLAIR VAST POWER: POSSIBILITY NOW HELD REMOTE, BUT BUSINESS DISLIKES HIS REFERENDUM RULE PLAN Daily Boston Globe Oct 31, 1934
Anti-Sinclair Coercion Laid to Movie Barons: Katharine Hepburn Is Cited by Democrats as an Example of Employe Warned to Vote Republican Ticket. Democrats Rap Movie Magnates Washington Post Nov 1, 1934
DISRUPTIVE FORCE IN SINCLAIR FIGHT: HIS CANDIDACY HAS SHAKEN THE OLD POLITICAL ORDER IN CALIFORNIA. WILL KEEP UP CONTEST REPUBLICANS ALONE WILL PROFIT FROM THE ELECTION TURMOIL. New York Times Nov 2, 1934
THE "EPIC" PLAN: CAN UPTON SINCLAIR WIN? The Observer Nov 4, 1934
GOVERNORSHIP OF CALIFORNIA: UPTON SINCLAIR'S CANDIDATURE HIS "EPIC" PLAN THE PROSPECTS OF HIS RETURN Manchester Guardian Nov 6, 1934
CALIFORNIA BEATS SINCLAIR AND EPIC: LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY STRONGHOLD OF FORMER SOCIALIST, TURNS TO GOV. MERRIAM. FRAUD CHARGED BY LOSER CONCEDING DEFEAT, HE SAYS HE WILL START CAMPAIGN TO RECALL REPUBLICAN VICTOR. CALIFORNIA BEATS SINCLAIR AND EPIC New York Times Nov 7, 1934
SINCLAIR TO CONTINUE FIGHT FOR 'EPIC' PLAN: MERRIAM SEES VOTE AS DEMONSTRATION OF COMMON SENSE OF PEOPLE Atlanta Constitution  Nov 8, 1934
Sinclair's Epic In Ruins, But Backers Rally: Encouraged by Vote Nearing 750,000, They Plan to Continue Fight. Washington Post Nov 8, 1934
SINCLAIR A LOSER BY OVER 234,000: DEMOCRAT POLLED OVER 790,000 AND EPIC FORCES MEET TO PLAN NEW DRIVE. MERRIAM HAILS VICTORY CALLS IT NOT A REACTIONARY TRIUMPH -- REPUBLICANS MAY LOSE CONGRESS SEAT. New York Times Nov 8, 1934
Business Upturn Expected As Voters Uphold Policies, Action of Administration: Capital Is Greatly Relieved by Defeat of Upton Sinclair in California, Declares Speare Atlanta Constitution  Nov 11, 1934

Los Angeles Times

(list from ProQuest Historical newspapers)
Title Date
DEMOCRATS GET SCARE: SINCLAIR VICTORY CAUSES DOUBTS Aug 30, 1934
IS THIS STILL AMERICA? Aug 30, 1934
SINCLAIR SPLITS BOURBONS; ROOSEVELT KEEPS MUM: MANY EXPECTED TO AIR OPPOSITION; REPUBLICANS UNITE BEHIND MERRIAM AS NOMINEE Aug 30, 1934
DEMOCRATIC RIFT GAINS: WARDELL BOLTS SINCLAIR BOURBON LEADER DECLARES HE'S STUDYING HAIGHT AND MERRIAM CANDIDACIES KINDIG, EPIC ADHERENT, STILL LEADS RILEY FOR STATE CONTROLLER POST Sep 1, 1934
SINCLAIR'S AIM FLAYED: RETAIN MERRIAM, SCHENCK URGES CALIFORNIA DISCREDITED AS RESULT OF BOURBON PLAN, STATE LEADER ASSERTS DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE'S IDEAS BRANDED IMPRACTICAL AND THREATENING PROGRESS Sep 13, 1934
DEMOCRATS FACE SNARL OVER SINCLAIR PROBLEM: CALIFORNIA PARTY MEMBERS MEET AT SACRAMENTO THURSDAY FOR DECISION ON ACCEPTANCE Sep 16, 1934
WARNING GIVEN OF STATE PERIL: ECONOMIC COUNCIL CALLS FOR DEFEAT OF SINCLAIR ELECTION OF MERRIAM HELD WAY TO AVERT CHAOS EPIC CANDIDATE BRANDED AS "DANGEROUS RADICAL" Sep 16, 1934
VOTE FOR MERRIAM URGED BY DONOVAN, DEMOCRAT: LAWYER AND VETERAN PARTY MAN BACKS GOVERNOR AS ABLE EXECUTIVE AND ATTACKS SINCLAIR Sep 19, 1934
Sinclair's Campaign of National Concern: Election Would Mean More Radicalism in Washington, Plus Inflation, Declares Noted Political Commentator Sep 23, 1934
REALTY MEN JOIN FIGHT: SINCLAIR MENACE COMBATTED WHOLE BUSINESS AT STAKE, LEADERS SAY AT SESSION TO WAR ON SOCIALISM NON PARTISAN COMMITTEE TO ORGANIZE UNITS TO WORK FOR GOV. MERRIAM Sep 26, 1934
"Ending Poverty" by Impoverishment Sep 26, 1934
HEAVY RUSH OF IDLE SEEN BY SINCLAIR: TRANSIENT FLOOD EXPECTED DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE CITES PROSPECT IN EVENT OF HIS WINNING ELECTION Sep 27, 1934
STATE GIVES EAST SHOCK: SINCLAIR MENACE CAUSES UNREST FIRE COMMISSIONER SHEEHAN DECLARES ELECTION WOULD INJURE CALIFORNIA Sep 27, 1934
STATE PRESS POINTS OUT SINCLAIR PLAN'S FLAWS: BAD FAITH CHARGED TO NOMINEE IN PROMISES MADE WITHOUT BASIS FOR FULFILLMENT Sep 27, 1934
NEWBY GOES TO MERRIAM: LAWYER OPPOSES SINCLAIR DEMOCRAT SINCE CLEVELAND TELLS WHY HE WON'T VOTE FOR NOMINEE Sep 28, 1934
FEAR VOICED ON SINCLAIR: LEAGUE WARNEDOF DEFICITS MUNICIPALITIES SESSION HEARS SENATOR DIFANI PORTRAY STATE FISCAL PERIL Sep 28, 1934
REALTY MEN IN WARNING: SETBACK UNDER SINCLAIR SEEN INFLUX OF JOBLESS AND LOSS OF CAPITALISTS FEARED UNDER SOCIALISM Sep 28, 1934
CALIFORNIA'S DEMOCRATS LINING UP FOR MERRIAM Sep 28, 1934
SINCLAIR PROMISE DRAWS HORDES OF IDLE TO STATE: UNEMPLOYED ALREADY FLOCKING IN AND PUBLIC AID FUNDS PERILED, SAYS SENATOR SWING Sep 30, 1934
SERVICE MEN AID MERRIAM: VETERANS ASSERT PATRIOTISM NONPARTISAN LEAGUE FORMED TO COMBAT COMMUNISTIC IDEAS OF SINCLAIR Oct 1, 1934
PAYDAY VS. PARADISE Oct 6, 1934
FARM SWING TO MERRIAM: SINCLAIR PLAN STIRS FEARS WALNUT GROWER REPORTS RURAL DISTRICTS' VOTERS FAVOR REPUBLICAN Oct 7, 1934
SINCLAIR UNFITTED FOR HIGH POST HE SEEKS: TOTAL LACK OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBLE FOR HODGE-PODGE OF CHIMERIC SCHEMES Oct 8, 1934
HANSON SOUNDS WARNING: REALTY MAN, IN RADIO TALK, TERMS SINCLAIR PLAN "SOCIALISM WITH FEW DETOURS INTO COMMUNISM" Oct 9, 1934
SOVIETIZING CALIFORNIA IS SINCLAIR'S OBJECTIVE: SOLEMN PLEDGE TO CARRY OUT PLAN HE SAYS RUSSIA USED AS MODEL CANDIDATE'S REAL PLATFORM Oct 9, 1934
Upton Sinclair; His Record and Associations: I. Oct 10, 1934
Upton Sinclair; His Record and Associations: II. Oct 11, 1934
ECONOMIC CHAOS SHOULD SINCLAIR BE ELECTED: GRAVE POSSIBILITIES FORESHADOWED BY EFFECTS OF MERE THREAT OF RADICAL VICTORY Oct 12, 1934
WHY SINCLAIR'S EPIC PLAN CANNOT BE FINANCED: NO MARKET FOR PROJECTED BONDS NOR SECURITY FOR FEDERAL ADVANCES AGRICULTURE IN CHAOS Oct 13, 1934
It's the Same Old Sinclair!: What Democratic Leaders Say of Sinclair Oct 14, 1934
"TO MY COMRADES IN RUSSIA" Oct 16, 1934
"RUSSIANS LEARNED FROM ME"--UPTON SINCLAIR: A PICTURE FROM MOSCOW OF WHAT SOVIETIZING OF CALIFORNIA WOULD MEAN TO WORKERS Oct 19, 1934
"EPIC" SPELLS FISCAL RUIN OF CALIFORNIA: WHOLE NET REVENUE OF SINCLAIR'S TAXABLES NOT ENOUGH EVEN TO LAUNCH HIS SCHEME Oct 21, 1934
REPLY GIVEN BY SINCLAIR: CHARGES OF COMNMUNISM AND ATHEISM MET BY DENIALS IN BAY CITY SPEECH Oct 23, 1934
POOR FLOCK INTO STATE: SINCLAIR CAUSES HUGE INFLUX HUNDREDS OF JOBLESS CROSS BORDER DAILY LURED BY "END POVERTY" VISION Oct 24, 1934
ROOSEVELT'S SNUB BLOW TO SINCLAIR: PRESIDENT DENIES PROMISING AID PURPORTED LETTER BY FARLEY APPROVING SOCIALIST DRIVE REPUDIATED Oct 25, 1934
FIGHT MADE FOR MERRIAM BY STATE'S NEWSPAPERS: NINETY-THREE PER CENT OF PRESS BACKING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AGAINST UPTON SINCLAIR Oct 26, 1934
LASH GIVEN TO SINCLAIR: DEMOCRAT GROUP VITRIOLIC COMMITTEE IN ORANGE COUNTY URGES VOTES FOR MERRIAM AND RUNNING MATE Oct 27, 1934
DOCKWEILER PLEDGES AID TO MERRIAM: DEMOCRAT FLAYS SINCLAIR STATE PARTY LEADER CHARGES NOMINEE SEEKS TO SET UP SOCIALISTIC REGIME Oct 31, 1934
FOES LASHED BY SINCLAIR: CANDIDATE DENIES ATHEISM AS HE DEFENDS AFFILIATION WITH DEMOCRATS Nov 2, 1934
Sinclair Religion Book Retains All Criticisms Nov 2, 1934
THREAT MADE BY SINCLAIR: IF DEFEATED, HE'LL LAUNCH RECALL FIGHT AND IF HE WINS, EPIC PROGRAM Nov 7, 1934
SINCLAIR, POOR LOSER Nov 9, 1934