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All the research on the story totaled 85,000 words. In spite of Wallace's early doubts about whether the Digest would make a story, the reports were packed with informative and interesting material. Miller's first draft was about twice as long as most cover stories. Trying to trim this down, Senior Editor Joe Purtell perspired over the story, sleeves rolled up and collar awry, finally remarked: "Every time I try to cut one thing, I think of six others that ought to go in."
The bulk of the story defied cutting. As it finally appeared last week, it turned out to be one of the longest stories we have ever printed.