The Famous Ferguson Case1932

[printed foreword]:
This story deals with a certain phase of newspaper work. The STANDARD DICTIONARY defines news as: "Fresh information concerning something that has recently taken place." But quite frequently events occur which by their nature are so sensational - from the angle of sex, violence, the standing of the parties involved, or what not - - that they are reported in some newspapers long after there is any "fresh information" and when nothing at all "has recently taken place". Legitimate newspapers recognize this fact. They report real developments, and stop there. But others, pandering to the lowest tastes of the public, prolong such cases to the last degree. When news fails, they try to make news. As long as a shred of carcass remains, they feast upon it. Naturally, such journalistic scavenger work attracts only the lowest type of newspaper man - tipsters, stool pigeons, the base and the irresponsible. "THE FAMOUS FERGUSON CASE" is built upon the contrast between legitimate journalism and unprincipled scandal-mongering.