Evening star., 1934-09-30
CALIFORNIA SPLIT
INTO TWO STATES
URGED IN NORTH
Counties Dissatisfied Over
Election Results Decided
In Southern Tiers.
SHIFT TOWARD LEFT
NOTED IN ALL AREAS
Influx of Jobless Cited Reason for
Support of state.sponsored
Moves.
BY w. A. WELLS,

Associated Press Stan Writer.
SAN FRANCISCO, September 29.-
The recent political upheaval has
brought to CALIFORNIA; Indian Sum.
mer a demand from several northern
counties that the Golden State be
cut into two separate commonwealths.
It's a clamor that in years gone by
came almost exclusively from the
south due to the claim that Northern
California hogged all the high Offices
and took more than its share of high
way funds and other State benefits.
For rs years no Southern Californian
has been elected chief executive.
This time 1t is different. Upton
Sinclair, Democrat; Frank F. Mer-
riam, Republican, and Raymond l..
Haight, Commonwealth, are the nomi-
nees hailing from the southern end Of
the State.
South Vote Upsetting.
The Los Angeles County vote by
itself had overturned that Of 81
counties of the States So to nominate
Sinclair and had Offset the preferences
of 80 counties, chiefly in the north in
both cases, to designate Merriam. 1t
was this fact which northern sources
pointed to as evidence the primary
hinged basically on sectional feeling
rather than political issues or per-
sonalities.
There is agreement, however, that
the present campaign has engendered
a militancy and warmth of feeling
which insures one of the most intense
electoral battles in the States history.
There is a disposition among po-
litical observers to believe the primary
election forecasts formidable move
ment toward the left both north and
south. and a variety Of reasons have
been dug up in explanation.
Unemployed Total Huge.
These include the declaration there
are . million to million and a half
unemployed in the State, the numbers
swollen by an tnpouring from other
sections. Southern California, be-
cause of its milder climate, received
the larger share of these arrivals, and
the relief roll Of Los Angeles County
alone lists around 100000 persons, a
number nearly equal to Sinclair's
total vote.
But the northern end, too, has had
a big influx, and there are thousands
unable to find jobs, although they
have been here long enough to qualify
as voters.
Judging by the results Of the pri-
mary, however, If California is des-
tined to swing to the left in support
of plan providing for State-fostered
industry and agricultural colonies, it
will be the Southern California vote
which casts the die.
Retired Element Considered.
In addition to its unemployed
hosts, the Los Angeles area numbers
many thousands recruited from other
sections who came to spend their de-
clining years in the mild climate of
that region. Great numbers of these
lost part or all of their lifetime
savings in the crumbhng of security
values.
Even in more prosperous times Los
Angeles has had a fair for move
ments of distinctive character, such
as the crusading Rev. Bob Shuler, the
Utopian Society's dues-paying mem
bership of 100000, Aimee McPher-
sons four square gospel congregation
of many thousands and other unusual
movements.
Some political observers say that
if there were no other considerations,
a promise of State pensions of $50 a
month for the aged and incapacitated
upon California residence of three
years, as promised by Sinclair, could
explain considerable portion of the
large he vote polled in the primary.