Best Feature Daily Charlie Sweet ‘Thought Being Innocent Was Enough...’ TW Library Fires — In-Depth Report On Page 6 Today s ‘court a Fre Stren “airy tee ay ea on, ia Lae ‘Steet fet Tee ee Kate ee Ea a Lar) "kh ing at ray tae ‘Cunt ett ma at fa preteen” Be ott ein arSteane Saciet "WAS HARRELSON th ck Dd 84H ae i : ‘teary ao td eso FIRST PLACE—Ric Manning, The Bloomington Daily Herald-Telephone and ‘Sunday Herald. Tribune, two articles on Charlie Sweet. These stories represent an {idea often attempted and rarely achieved—to put into fair perspective a situation headlined sporadically for several months. The third paragraph of the P. 1 story vividly snows the need for the articles to be written. Once the decision to do therm was reached (and if Mr. Manning didn’t originate the idea, the editor who did deserves a gold star), the writer faced special problems in this very difficult type fof feature: 1) Showing how and why a man was acquitted, without editorializing, {or readers in a community where public opinion counts who probably believe the subject guilty. 2) Doing the necessary research to present a balanced view. 3) ‘Writing the whole complicated package so that readers will follow to the final wiord instead of sayiri, “ho-hum,"" and folding up the paper after the first paragraph, Mr. Manning has overcome these obstacles well. His thorough per: ‘sonal research and ability to organize material are commendable. Objective about ar emotional long-running news story, he delivers his feature with all the Feadabilty of a mystery novel. The articles are well.conceived, well-researched, ‘and wellwritten. The editor's note would be appreciated by any reader.* A Special Issue Of gw Y em ri teh Ceti {el Publisher NOVEMBER, 1972