Page:Newspaper writing and editing.djvu/131

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"At no time of the night was the post office unguarded," said Postmaster White. "Arthur Cummings and Henry Leister, mailing clerks, were in the mailing and sorting rooms until they were relieved by the day force. Patrolman Cutting, a messenger, and mail wagon drivers were in and out of the office at all hours of the night."

Post Office Inspector A. B. Holmes of Cincinnati was notified of the robbery by telegraph, and Inspector G. C. Helms of Fort Wayne, whom he detailed to come here to investigate, arrived late tonight.


SUGGESTIONS


1. Find an interesting "feature" in every unexpected occurrence.

2. Give all the facts and stick to them.

3. Don't be carried away by wild reports; investigate every rumor.

4. Keep cool, no matter how great the disaster.

5. Don't overestimate the extent of the damage and the number of persons killed or injured.

6. Remember that not all persons who appear in the news are necessarily "prominent" or "well known."

7. Avoid describing persons or property as "endangered" or "threatened" when they are not actually in danger.

8. Don't overload your story with minor details.

9. Give life and action by using direct quotation whenever it is appropriate.

10. Include verbatim accounts of eye-witnesses or survivors in big disasters.

11. Make clear to the rapid reader the exact relation of all incidents to the principal event.

12. Look for the motive in murders, suicides, embezzlements, and similar crimes.

13. See the "human interest" in police news.