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Upton Sinclair and the EPIC Plan

Merriam-Sinclair Battle Outstanding in National Political Scene - 1934

Advertisement for the California League Against Sinclairism - 1934

Quinn Flays Sinclair in Radio Talk - 1934

Sinclair Would Place Jobless on Ranches - 1934

Upton Sinclair - The Radical Years

Jack London’s Letters to Upton Sinclair

ON-LINE BOOKS BY UPTON SINCLAIR

Profits of Religion - 1917

“ The Consequences of Land Speculation... .” - 1924

QUINN FLAYS SINCLAIR IN RADIO TALK

By MILT PHINNEY

John R. Quinn clamped down on communism, Upton Sinclair and power trusts when he radioed his appeal for Republican votes in the gubernatorial primary, and today there was no doubt as to where Quinn stands.

“The primary issue in this election shrieks its warning from one end of the state to the other,” Quinn declared in his radio address, and then proceeded to lampoon communism in any disguise.

“Communism is slavery. Fascism, nazism are tyranny. Socialism is communism sugar coated with deceptive covering of patience but, at the core, poisonous, bitter; it is the same. America wants none of them. California shall have none of them,” he asserted.

“A state government exists and must function for the people. Neither the power interests nor any other self-serving class or group should be permitted to dominate political affairs or governmental activity.

“Political racketeering in California must be stamped out at the same time. Legitimate private business must be protected and encouraged by the state. But the man who endeavors, for devious political purposes, to incite class against class, or who appeals to class prejudice and greed, is a public enemy.

“I propose, before this campaign is over, to discuss in detail the various elements of the program now being used by Upton Sinclair as a vehicle to carry on his campaign for governor. This program is assuming the proportions of a vicious assault upon our American institutions.

“It attempts to make political capital out of the distress and suffering of our people. Sinclair’s objective is to drive capital out of the state and destroy business and confiscate private property in the state.

CHARGES DECEPTION

“He proposes to reduce all residents to the status of dependents of the state, as employes in state industry and state agriculture, to be paid in printing press money of unlimited amount of issue and unascertainable value. His program is communism in sheep’s clothing.

“We do not have to go to Russia to get a square deal for Americans.”

During his talk Quinn touched upon fair and equitable unemployment insurance and old age pensions on conditions which will not encourage indolence; vigorous development and swift acceleration of public works projects to provide additional employment; a program of land utilization designed for California conditions to conform with requirements of the federal government so the unemployed may operate small farms and become self-sustaining; tax reduction through elimination of unnecessary expense, and maintenance of high standards in the public schools.

HITS PAROLE ACTION

He also urged co-ordination of law enforcement efforts in the state, revision of methods of penology and abolition of indulgent granting of paroles.

Quinn himself spoke from Los Angeles, with part of the time devoted to messages from leaders via radio in other parts of the state. From San Francisco, John L. Flynn spoke; from Sacramento, Dr. June B. Harris; from Fresno, Earl J. Fenston; from Bakersfield, Judge T.N. Harvey, and from San Diego, George Fisher.

“As a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of California,” Quinn said, “I want it known in every city, town and community that I believe in the principle of democracy as projected and maintained by the constitution of the United States.

FEARS CAPITAL LOSS

“Of all the four ideas of government which are clashing over the face of the earth, democracy alone extends, rather than restricts, the freedom of the individual.

“California is blessed with great productive capacity. We must create and find markets for our products—agricultural, industrial and mineral.

“I do not believe we can increase wealth by destroying it. Stimulation, not curtailment of production by the state should be our policy.

“The flow of capital from all parts of the world to California have been a distinct factor in our development. The state government should foster and encourage the continued flow of capital to our commonwealth.”


Call-Bulletin, San Francisco
July 10, 1934

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