Best Reporting

In the history of the Detroit Free Press, 1931 stands out as the paper's 100th Anniversary. Last week it was made a twofold milestone when five Free Press reporters were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the year's best job of reporting. The story was an account of the American Legion parade in Detroit last September. The five winners, who shared the work and will share the $1,000 prize, are: portly, bald William C. Richards, 46; short Douglas D. Martin, 45 (Sunday editor); Frank D. Webb, James S. Pooler, N. W. John Sloan.

Working against time as newsmen must, the five wove a spectacular, minutely detailed account of a massive scene. First and final columns, written by Reporters Richards and Martin respectively, were heavy with "atmosphere," shy of specific detail. The lead read as if it might have been written and dressed up before the Legion even appeared in Detroit. First paragraphs:

"The Legion marched.

"The Yanks came--thousands upon thousands of them who have been sung about as always coming. Pulses quickened. Tempo moved up. The pendulum flew faster. And those who thought they had laid away the World War in a cobwebby file felt again a familiar throbbing. . . .

"Still, this was nothing new. Men have marched so down the ages. They marched in Athens and Nineveh and Marathon, fighting their various Armageddons. . . ."

After 18 paragraphs the essay-like opening was blended inter the actual, factual report of the nine-hour procession. Typical alertness to detail:

"It was too much for one Negro drummer from the Charles Young Post of Charlotte, N. C. Swinging his drum to his shoulder, he dropped out of line, mopping a wet brow. He craned his neck at the Selfridge Field planes and with a sigh, sank to a resting position on his instrument. The crowd swallowed him."

The Free Press's story occupied eight columns. It ended:

"Gone was the martial spirit of discipline. King Carnival reigned and far into the night the revelry ran.

"The Legion had marched.

"Its day was done."

Honorably mentioned by the Pulitzer Prize Committee were newsmen of the Philadelphia Record for exposing rascally solicitors of charity funds, and of the Louisville Times for sending to jail a county clerk because of fraud in tax collections.

The winners were chosen from 118 nominations which had been narrowed down to 15. Before the final award was made the Atlanta Constitution, presumably overlooking the fact that the published list of 15 was arranged alphabetically by cities, excitedly told its readers that the Constitution's story had been given "first rank."

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