Echoes of the Press: The Los Angeles Examiner's Enduring Legacy
A scholarly examination of a pivotal newspaper in Los Angeles history, from its sensational founding to its eventual merger.
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Founding
Genesis of a Media Giant
The Los Angeles Examiner was established in 1903 by the influential media magnate William Randolph Hearst. It debuted as a morning daily newspaper, printed in English, and quickly became a significant voice in Los Angeles. Its inaugural edition was released on December 13, 1903.[1][2]
Political Stance & Rivalry
From its inception, the Examiner was positioned with a clear political orientation, aligning itself with the Democratic Party and advocating for pro-labor policies. This stance placed it in direct competition with the established Los Angeles Times, which was known for its Republican leanings and support for an open-shop labor environment.[2][3c]
A Distinctive Journalistic Style
The newspaper quickly distinguished itself with a unique journalistic style, characteristic of Hearst's publications. Its first regular "mammoth Sunday issue" comprised 84 profusely illustrated pages, a testament to its ambitious presentation. The paper's launch was met with considerable public fanfare, including "fireworks, the booming of cannon and shouts of the populace." The Weekly Journal-Miner of Prescott, Arizona, notably described the Examiner as a "typical Hearst publication," recognizing its original and singular approach to journalism.[3a][4]
Building
Architectural Landmark
The five-story Los Angeles Examiner Building, situated on South Broadway at 11th Street, was a significant architectural achievement. Designed by the renowned architect Julia Morgan, it showcased a blend of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. At the time of its construction, this 7,800-square-foot edifice was recognized as the largest structure in the United States dedicated exclusively to the publication of a newspaper.[5]
State-of-the-Art Printing
The logistical undertaking for the newspaper's production was substantial. In November 1903, a train consisting of nine freight cars arrived in Los Angeles, laden with the advanced machinery required to print the paper. A remarkable five of these cars were dedicated solely to transporting a colossal Hoe printing press, highlighting the scale of the *Examiner*'s operations and its commitment to cutting-edge technology.[6a]
Cinematic & Cultural Presence
The Los Angeles Examiner's influence extended beyond journalism into popular culture. In 1918, the editorial rooms of the Examiner were meticulously replicated as a set for the motion picture The Empty Cab. Furthermore, the distinctive *Examiner* building itself gained cinematic prominence, being featured in Laurel and Hardy's iconic skyscraper, girder-walking sequence in the 1929 silent Hal Roach comedy "Liberty," cementing its place in the city's visual history.[7]
Controversies
WWI Opposition & Federal Scrutiny
Consistent with the editorial stance of other Hearst newspapers, the Examiner adopted a position against American involvement in World War I. This anti-war sentiment led to significant opposition. In 1918, federal agents conducted a raid on "Boyland," a Santa Barbara school for boys, seizing numerous editorials from the Examiner that were critical of the government's war policies. This incident resulted in the arrest and charging of five individuals with espionage, underscoring the contentious nature of the paper's wartime commentary.[8]
Public Boycotts & Hostility
The Examiner's editorial stance during World War I provoked widespread public condemnation. The California Loyal League publicly denounced the newspaper, labeling it "disloyal and a dangerous influence." This sentiment was echoed by both the French and British consuls in Los Angeles. Consequently, prestigious institutions such as the University Club of Los Angeles and the Sierra Madre Club banned the Examiner from their reading rooms. Furthermore, *Examiner* staffers faced direct hostility, being jeered and prevented from taking photographs at a Bastille Day celebration at the Shrine Auditorium.[9][10][11]
Incidents
Reporter Kidnapping & Press Freedom
In a notable incident in 1934, Examiner reporter James Lee and photographer John Bennus encountered violence while covering the funeral of Ernie Triplett, a race car driver killed in an accident. Automobile-race drivers Al Reinke and Babe Stapp were indicted on charges of manhandling the journalists and kidnapping Lee. Lee reported that five men threatened violence against newspaper workers if any news photos were taken at race drivers' funerals. This occurred amidst the Examiner's active campaign against automobile-racing fatalities, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in their pursuit of news. Tragically, Reinke was killed in a racing accident before he could be brought to trial.[12][13][14]
Merger
The 1962 Consolidation
On January 7, 1962, the morning Los Angeles Examiner published its final independent edition. It subsequently merged with the Los Angeles Herald-Express, an afternoon newspaper that was also part of the Hearst organization. This consolidation was, in many respects, a formalization of existing operational realities, as the two Hearst-owned papers had shared workspace and resources for several decades prior to the official merger.[15][16]
The Herald Examiner Era
The newly merged entity was rebranded as the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. For a period following its formation, this combined newspaper achieved significant circulation, claiming the largest afternoon-newspaper readership in the United States. The Los Angeles Herald Examiner continued to serve the city's readers for nearly three decades before publishing its last edition on November 2, 1989, marking the end of a long and storied chapter in Los Angeles journalism.[1]
People
Notable Contributors
Throughout its history, the Los Angeles Examiner attracted and cultivated a range of talented individuals who contributed to its journalistic and artistic output. Among its notable staffers were Oscar Chopin, a distinguished cartoonist whose work graced the paper's pages, and Elliott Roosevelt, who served as the aviation editor, bringing specialized insight to the burgeoning field of aviation.[17]
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References
References
- Judy Pasternak and Thomas B. Rosenstiel, "Herald Examiner Will Halt Publishing Today", Los Angeles Times, November 2, 1989
- "Press Notes of Interest," Buffalo (New York) Evening News, November 24, 1903, image 9
- "Los Angeles Examiner," Weekly Journal-Miner, Prescott, Arizona, December 16, 1903, page 4]
- "Press Notes of Interest," Buffalo Evening News, New York, December 21, image 19
- Roger Vincent, "Arizona State to Expand Into Downtown L.A. at Historic Herald Examiner Building," August 21, 2018
- "At the Movie Houses," The Daily Chronicle, De Kalb, Illinois, November 30, 1918, page 5
- "Hearst Editorials Figure in a Raid," New-York Tribune, April 11, 1918, page 8
- "Los Angeles Examiner Is Charged With Disloyalty," Eugene (Oregon) Daily Guard, June 8, 1918, Page 2
- "Los Angeles Club Bars Hearst Paper From Its Rooms," New York Tribune, June 12, 1918, page 14
- "Los Angeles Bars Hearst Agents at French Celebration," New York Tribune, July 16, 1918, page 14
- Associated Press, "3 Who Prevented Photo Face Chair on Kidnap Charge," New York Daily News, March 10, 1934, image 72]
- "Kidnap Case Stunt Driver Killed in Race Trial Crash," New York Daily News, April 12, 1934, image 78
- "Cutback Leaves 2 Newspapers in Los Angeles," Springfield (Ohio) Daily News, January 6, 1962, page 1
- LAistory: The Los Angeles Herald-Examiner Published Nov 26, 2010 11:00 PM
- "Elliot Roosevelt Is Aviation Editor," New York Daily News, August 27, 1933, image 296
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