The papers consist of the notes, clippings, and correspondence collected by Sinclair in his work on the staff of the Milwaukee Journal and while writing Blue Cross in Wisconsin. They cover medicine, health insurance, veterans affairs, utilities, and the automobile, among other subjects. The papers are arranged alphabetically by topic, and thereunder chronologically insofar as possible.
The bulk of the collection consists of extensive notes, clippings, interviews, and correspondence used by Sinclair in writing Blue Cross in Wisconsin. Filed here are notes from interviews with Dr. Joseph G. Norby, the first president of Blue Cross in Wisconsin; George P. Ettenheim, president from 1945 to 1948; Joseph G. Mosser, treasurer of the organization from 1940 to 1959 and president from 1959 to 1964; and Robert F. Purtell, vice-president from 1945 to 1959. Also included is correspondence with Leon R. Wheeler, executive vice-president from 1939 to 1963, and Leo E. Suycott, the chief executive officer of Blue Cross at the time of the book's publication. Of note is a detailed chronology of the history of both the national and state organizations.
There are photocopies of several speeches Sinclair made on what should be done for for World War II veterans, and a series of articles on the same subject which appeared in the Milwaukee Journal. The series discussed the physical and emotional problems of veterans, and it advocated aid for veterans who wished to return to school. There are no notes or correspondence relating to these articles, but there is a folder of notes and clippings for other articles Sinclair wrote on veterans affairs in the 1950's.
Sinclair also covered the Milwaukee area utilities for his paper. There is material relating to the Wisconsin Power Company and the Milwaukee Gas Company, focusing on customer service and new facilities. There are extended notes and correspondence on the Wisconsin Power Company's 10 for 1 rate plan and the controversy surrounding it in the late 1940's and 1950's.
Sinclair also covered medically-related subjects for the Milwaukee Journal. Included in the collection are notes for articles he did on the various polio scares and epidemics of the 1940's and 1950's, Blue Cross and other health insurance programs, and hospital construction and fund raising. Other topics covered in Sinclair's notes are adult education, the introduction of direct long-distance dialing telephone service, the U.S. census and Milwaukee's birth rate, the betatron, and dance lesson rackets.
Sinclair reported on annual automobile sales and registration figures for Milwaukee, and mass transit developments. In 1957 he did articles on automobile insurance in the Milwaukee area, and in 1962 he covered the National Automobile Show in Detroit, Michigan.
