Page:Herr Glessner Creel - Tricks of the Press (1911).djvu/11



The "Times" has accused an express wagon driver of cruelty to animals. But not having time or inclination to verify the story, the paper uses the handy little interrogation point. That releases it from all responsibility. Here's another:

This is clearly a case of libel—if Wilson can prove that he is not backed or dominated by what we call "the interests"—the trusts. But the sentence is clear. There's no misunderstanding its meaning. It states, without a pause, "The Interests Behind Wilson." Again the interrogation point is brought into use and the gentle art of newspaper trickery goes merrily onward.

Here's another from the "Kansas City Star" for Sunday, July 31, 1910:

As a matter of fact the coal conference between the miners and the operators did not fail. You know positively that on the 31st day of last July negotiations were not even broken off. In the light of later events you know that there was no justification for that story when the "Star" went to press on July 31st. This was printed on the first page. It was sent out to dishearten the miners in the district. It is an old newspaper trick to break the ranks of a union on strike. But to clear itself, to prove in court if necessary, that it intended no misinformation at all, the, "Star" places an interrogation point after a declaratory sentence.

In newspaper stories you read you frequently come across the word "alleged," or the phrase "it is said," "it is believed," "it is reported," etc. I want to read you something else from this same "Kansas City Star" July 31, 1910. I want you to see that these things are not isolated cases, acccidentsaccidents [sic] or typographical errors. They are carefully thought out and published with intent to deceive. This is on the first page, sixth column: