precariousness; a maelstrom in which a man's physical, mental, and moral integrity are subtly and bewilderingly tossed and buffeted and maimed. But finally I came upon certain facts which decided me to put an end to it. It happened in mid-*summer, when my lawyer was in the country, and in my haste to consult him I made the greatest blunder of my life. I sent a telegram inquiring whether a letter of admission from the other party was evidence in a divorce-suit in New York State; and to this telegram I signed my name.
I have since been told that it is a regular custom of the "yellow" journals, in places where the "smart set" or other people of prominence gather, to maintain relations with telegraph-clerks. When telegrams containing news or hints of news are filed, the clerk furnishes a copy to the newspaper, and is paid according to the importance of the "tip." Three or four hours after I filed that telegram, I was called to the telephone by the "New York American," which told me they had information that I was bringing suit for divorce. I was astounded, for I had not mentioned the matter to a soul. At first I denied the fact, but they said their information was positive, and they would publish the story. So it was a choice between having a false story or a true story made known, and I replied, "I will prepare a statement and send it to you some time this evening." I prepared the briefest possible statement, to the effect that my wife had left me with another man, and had written to that effect, and that I was preparing to bring suit. The last paragraph read:
I make this statement because I have just learned that word of
my intention has reached one newspaper, and I would rather the
real facts were printed than anybody's conjectures. I have nothing
to add to this statement and I respectfully ask to be spared requests
for interviews.
I sent this statement, and next morning the "American"
published it on the front page, with my picture, and a picture
of my former wife, and a picture of a boy which was not
our boy, but a "fake." I quote a few lines:
SINCLAIR ACCUSES HIS WIFE
Upton Sinclair, the author and social colonizer, in a surprising statement last night announced his intention to bring suit for divorce. . . .
The action of Mr. Sinclair in giving out such a statement, or bringing suit for divorce from his wife, will be a great surprise to his friends and co-workers. . . .
