The Criterion proved instantly popular because it eschewed the typical arts and letters coverage with instead more provocative articles and illustrations.

Dumay soon recruited Pollard, Hughes, Vance Thompson, James L. Ford and Arthur Guitermann among many others to contribute to the magazine's editorial content.

Yet Clarke, who had worked for the New York Herald, knew his audience and understood Davidson's editorial direction and kept his youthful fervor in check.

[1] Clarke recruited Rob Wagner, a graduate of the University of Michigan, who illustrated for The Wrinkle and The Clack Book and for the Detroit Free Press.

[3][4][5] A wealthy St. Louis benefactor funded the magazine's operation at about $4,000 per month, but when Davidson could not turn a profit, the contributor stopped providing money.

American News had a powerful and unforgiving monopoly on magazine distribution and Davidson lost thousands of dollars each month.