Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-24
THE WORK WELL IN HAND.
Gettings Things Ready for Taking the
Census of 1890.

UCttAuSB NeaOy IOt x0klu& tu6
Census Of 1890.
SUPERINTENDENT PORTER AND HIS ExPERrs BUSY
MAPPING OUT PLANS FOR GETTING TIE srATIs-
TICS OF MANUFACrUREs, MINING, FINANCES,
RELIGION, MORTALITY, FISHERIES, ETC.
The work Of the special departments Of the
census Of 1890 is gradually being mapped out.
In a number Of instances the experts and their
assistants have already started preliminary
operations. and nearly every day the superin-
tendent, MIR. Porter has q consultation with
the experts in charge Of the various branches.
The policy announced at the beginning, to con-
hne the Investigations strictly to the statistics
is being adhered to. One of the most important
features Of the work is the collection Of
THE STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURED.
1t is not proposed to give history Of manu-
factures or a description Of the various pro-
cesses employed. The information collected
will have to do entirely with the number of
establishments, their output. the employees and
other facts OF similar character. Mr.. Frank
Williams the expert in charge, has Just re-
turned from trip to the manufacturing GEN.
ters in the eastern portion of the country. He
has seen many leading manufacturers,
had interviews with number of
political economists, communicated with the
associations Of manufacturers and Of trade Or
ganizations. He has secured their cooperation
and also their views as to the character of the
Investigation which 1t is thought ought to be
made. He il now engaged in preparing a
schedule which will be followed in collecting
statistics. Before this schedule is finally
adopted 1t is the intention Of Superintendent
Porter to submit it to free trade professors,
manufacturers, and all others interested. in
vltlng any criticisms or suggestions. Mr.. Por-
ter thinks that in this way a schedule can be
completed that will be considered satisfactory.
RELIGIOUS STATISTICS.
Tomorrow Mr.. Porter will have an interview
with H. K. Carroll, the editor Of the New York
Independent, who is regarded as an authority in
religious statistics. He will be placed in
charge OF this work, and, like the other special
inquiries of the census, il will embrace but
few particulars, but these are to be complete
and correct The history of the various de-
nominations and other matters of that kind
will not be touched upon. The number of
church buildings will be given, their seating
capacity, their value and that Of other church
propety the church population, &c.
WEALTH, DEBT AND TAXATION
Another inquiry that will be of great value
will be the statistics relative to wealth. indebt-
edness and taxation. This work is under the
direction of Mr.. Campbell Copeland and he
has already made preliminary organization
and expects soon to have the schedules pre-
pared. Connected with this inquiry is
matter that is rather perplexing, as
1t involves the collection OF the re-
corded indebtedness of the country. As this
is subject to constant changes and variations,
and owing to the failure to record payments on
mortgages. II is very difficult to ascertain at
any one one time what is the exact amount of
the recorded indebtedness. Superint, ndent
as to the course which he proposed to follow
and also a number Of Suggestions. He has,
however, adopted
THE FOLLOWING PLAN:
Messrs. John s. Lord of Illinois, Fred W.
Krouse Of New York, and Geo. K. Holmes of
Massachusetts, have been authorized to make
IN their respective sections tests in order to
determine upon the best method of ascertain
ing the amount Of indebtedness They
will conans their operations probably
to one county, and whatever plan
will insure the greatest accuracy in
one section can be applied to the collection
OF these statistics throughout the country.
Mr.. Porter, however, is not sure that his ex-
perts will be able to devise any plan which will
to expend the quarter of million of dollars ap-
proprlate by Congress for this purpose in an
unsatisfactory manner he will lay the facts be-
lore Congress. so thai that portion of the law
which requires the collection of such statistics
can be repealed if it is deemed best.
VITAL STATISTICS.
A novel plan has been adopted in the col
lection OF mortality and vital statistics, which
is under the direction of Dr. Billings. The
cities Will be divided into blocks instead of fol-
LOWING the present municipal division of wards
In this way the tenement house sections for
example. can be brought into one group, and
the statistics will throw some light upon the
death rate which prevails among that class of
population as compared with those who are
better hnnsQ6 fhar l.
reached in the same way, and the experts
under DR.. Billings are now engaged in district
ing the large cities in accordance with this
plan.
THE FISHERY STATISTICS.
Mr.. Porter expects to secure the assistance
of Messrs. James W. Collins and Charles W.
Smiley of the United States fish commission in
cutting the fishery statistics. He has obtained
the services of MIR. A. L. Shuman, who was the
author Of volume Nv of the last census report in
railroad statistics. Mr.. Porter regards Mr.
shuman as statistical elephant and says that
he can handle figures with greater ease and
accuracy than any man he is acquainted with.
MIR. Shuman's knowledge of railroad matters
wlu be especially valuable.
THE MINING INDUSTRIES
The editor Of the Engineering and Mining
Journal of New York, Mr.. Albert Williams. ir..
is expected here tomorrow to have a confer
ence with Mr.. Porter relative to the mining
statistics. Mr.. David I. Day is in charge of
this work and Mr.. Porter is securing the assist
ance OF such experts as Mr.. Williams as rapidly
as possible. The various divisions of this work,
such as metals, fuels, stone quarries, natural
gas, mineral waters, and other natural products
from the earth, will be intrusted to men who
are versed in the particular subject.
Census Office Changes.
Promotions-Mr. John Irwin, jr., d. c., stenog-
rapher, 81, 400 to $4,000; Miss Florence Davies
Kansas, from computer at s72O to copyist at
$780,