Page:Newspaper writing and editing.djvu/164

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are given in dialogue form as in short stories and novels, with the question followed by the explanatory material in one paragraph, and the answer with necessary explanatory material in another paragraph.

Occasionally, if on direct examination a witness's testimony, although interrupted by questions, is fairly continuous, the questions may be omitted, and the story told by the witness can thus be given uninterruptedly. When the facts of the testimony rather than the form of it are sufficient, these facts may be given without using either direct or indirect quotations.

How the several forms of reporting testimony appear in newspapers is shown by the following examples which are taken from the body of the story, the leads being omitted here:


(1)


Thomas W. Farlin of Freeport, the next witness called before the committee, said that he was engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business, and that he represented Davis, Hibbard & Company, fire insurance brokers of this city.

"Was there a general increase in insurance rates on dwellings and stores in Freeport during the last three years?" asked William C. Brown, counsel for the committee.

"Yes, all the rates have gone up," said Mr. Farlin.

"Did you learn why the rates were raised?"

"Oh, they joined the Fire Insurance Exchange."

"Who did?"

"Davis, Hibbard & Company."

"That's why the rates were raised?"

"I suppose so."

"You joined the Exchange too?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"They told me I'd have no trouble with the new rates."