Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-18
TAKING THE CENSUS.
How the Police Have 20 Contend
Against Warm Weather, Obstinacy,
and Superstition.

The police census-takers are now actively en-
gagged IN visiting the houses throughout the Dis
tricr The warm weather makes the work rather
slow. and more time Will be taken up In collecting
the figures than was at first calculated The on
GERS engaged in the work have some strange expe-
Fences and meet with many queer people. FIRE.
quently explanations are called for and the OFF,
GERS md II necessary TO do considerable talking
before they are able 20 get the required informa-
ton Some women they fnd are superst1tiOuS,
and will hesitate some time before they Will say
anything about their families Then, too. the
ofncers ind some aged eolored persons who object
70 giving a brief history OF their family because
they suspect that the purpose for which the In
formation Is wanted Is not a good one.
AT one residence the boOr-beil was answered by
a coored girl who asked: "Who is you:"
81 am ar Officer. miss, and l came 10 take the
census"
come TO take the census; what's that?"
"Is the lady OF the house in?"
81 reckon she is in; what you want 70 know that
for7'
"weI, would like to see her If you have no
objections"
II has'ent any,"
she returned and explained 10 the officer that the
lady was busy and could not be seen.
wei, miss, probably you can answer me some
questions
I'll ask the lady,
Again the mad enters the house. and upon her
return asks: what are the questiOns?'
lie wants TO know how many people is In this
house, she screamed
back the lady OF the house.
lie says he's taking the census"
"What fOr?'
s'Ths lady wants to know what you are taking
the census for" said the coored girl, addressing
the officer.
Explanations were then necessary and the COL
ored woman was finally persuaded to give the de-
sired Information
Frequently the census taker, who is attired In
civilian dress, Is taken for book agent or a col
rector servants answering the dO0r-bel! tell them
that the lady wants TO buy no books or that she
Is not In as In many cases servants have been in
structed not TO aomit book agents and collectors
But am not "A book agent" remarked one Of
the onlcers engaged In taking the census.
You can't fool me. said the servant; 'Ive seen
TOO many book agents; they all carry books under
their arms
but am taking the census"
II know that, but they all make some excuse"
The censuS-taker was not admitted, and he OBJ
taned the desired Information from neghbor
Have there been any births In your family since
last June? asked OF them OF an old lady living
10 the eastern section OF tine city.
Ibid you come here TO discuss my family mat
tersl' asked the old lady.
Nearly half hour was wasted In explaining the
object OF asking the question, and then the old
LADY smiled as Sle said: "Yes, we had one" she
had seven older children
Another woman told the census-taker she had
eight children; that her husband was dead and
she would Ike the officer TO his influence TO Sc
cure her a position She told him or her family
troubles and gave MIN detailed history or her
family before she gave him the Information he was
sent out for