'Inquirer' reporter peaks on his series

Fresh off writing his nine-part series about America's problems, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James Steele described his two years of research last week in the Rosenwald Gallery. Steele, an investigative reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, discussed several aspects of investigative reporting, from the tedious hours of sifting through corporate exchange statements to the excitement of being out in the field. He also focused on the public's dramatic reaction to his recent series. Steele, along with investigative reporter Donald Barlett, recently completed a nine-part series entitled, "America: What went wrong?," which ran in the Inquirer last month. Steele began the hour-long speech, entitled "Unearthing the Unknown: The Verbal Archaeology of Investigative Journalism" by discussing how he started the series. "Did we sit down one day and say, 'Hey, the middle class is getting hammered. Let's go out and prove this?' " Steele rhetorically asked. "[No.] We became intrigued about what is happening to the people." Steele then explained that he and Barlett began their research from primary sources such as corporate reports. He said they conducted a lot of their research at the University's Lippincott Library. "When you look at things over time, that's where the drama emerges," Steele said. "There is never a blockbuster document. There are pieces of the puzzle that we find. No piece seems particularly important." "Eventually the data became crystalized," Steele added. "We began to see that the story was much broader than just a plant closing." Steele then told the approximately 50 people in the audience that he was "stunned" by the series' large response from "all walks of life." Although the series focused on middle class America, he said it sparked positive reaction from very wealthy people as well. "A lot of people that were rich called up and said it [the situation] was wrong," Steele said. Steele also said that the Inquirer has already received 10,000 letters, many of which requested reprints. In fact, so many people came to the Inquirer's offices, that the paper had to hire security to control the situation. After his speech, Steele opened the floor to questions. The audience's questions ranged from style points to journalistic integrity to political affiliation. Steele concluded by saying he has remained humble in spite of the attention his article has received. "At the Kansas City Times, I used to watch the seasoned veterans," he said. "They typed away in effortless composition. I dreamed of the day that stuff would roll off of my fingertips. I'm still waiting." Audience members, most of whom were not students, said they enjoyed Steele's speech and many went up to Steele to personally compliment him on the series. "He told a pretty persuasive tale," said Richard Sperry, a Philadelphia investment manager. "I agree with most of what he wrote." The speech was sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

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