New-York tribune., 1891-09-16
WOOL STATISTYCS IN THE CENSUS.

S. " d. NORTH, THE SPECIAL AGENT, REPLIES
TO DAVID A. wELLs's CRITICISMS.
Boston, Mass, Sept. 15-The Hon. David A. Wellss
recent imputatlon against the integrity Of the Census
statistics of wool manufacture is met by fair and
convincing denial by s. n. d. North the special agent
OF the in charge of the statistics OF wool manu-
facture. From his Office in this city, Mr. North has
written to Mr. Wells at Norwich Ccnn., the following
letter, which contains statements OF general well
of special interest to the public:
Dear Sir: Ny attention has been called to that pOr
tion Of your letter in "Tne New lork Word" Of
a gSSy " w6e fs IN e c e MOon o S Of h
United states at the present time, YOU say 1t Is
extremely doubtful whether data admitting of cor
rect estimate viii now be furnished by manufacturer.
furnished will be given publicity by the present
census authorities"
putaton against the integrity of tie census statistics of
reputation In the absence Of any evidence whatever that
the statistics not to be trustworthy as 1t is ever
possible for such statistics to be- nor can imagine
any reason why the manufacturers should now make
returns on this subject which not quite trust
worthy those which they made to the census Of 1850
In view OF the TACT that these statsucs nave peeh
collected under my direction and are now being pre-
pared for publication in my Office feel called upon to
inform you that there exists not the slightest founda
ton for your mputaton against the manufacturers.
Your Implication that the census authorities would
be guilty OF suppreSsing or perverng Official figures tor
some partisan purpose Is one which tempted TO
believe you will feel disposed to regret upon second
thought, or at least to withdraw until such time as
an examination of the statistics will permit You and
others to judge whether not they bear any evidence
Yon viii see the force Of this suggestion when say
TO you that the statistics OF the woollen manufacture
have been taken IN such manner as TO snow SNOW @ InlS
before At no previous census mas any systematic
shoddy and other wool substitutes manufactured in the
United States. This quantity has heretofore been De
termned only through the returns made by the MANI
facturers OF fabrics indicating the quantity o. sody
or other substitutes used by each The returns OF the
Eleventh Census will contain for the first time state
ments of the quantity and value OF the product OF all the
shoddy mills in the country and these returns when
compared with those made by the manufacturers OF
fabrics, win afford check upon the accuracy OF tho
latter such as has not heretofore existed.
IL seems to me that you must have been unaware OF
the quantity Of & shOddy m which % yG1aig yeaPig
the comparative mortality in the United states from
consumption and pneumonia, by the assertion that
more shOddy is used IN the clothing OF this country
than in that Of Great Britain. Nearly ten Years
ago, Walter S. T.. McLaren reported that 121,oO0,,
900 pounds OF shoddy mungo ETC. Were manniact4&Iea &
quantity holds larger ratio 70 the total quantity Of
wool me1qtctqred In that country hsl the snOady
of wool manufactured her. Great Britain not only
manufactures az tn, woolen T*Es gathers9d g9d
100000 pounds of woollen rags, torn up
not, TO be used as WOOL in addition. These rags
that the sanitary. question which you raise ap-
plies to the product Of importation In far greater
dssree than It Ca. can possibly apply to the & shoddy 6
tariff went into effect, exclusively Of home rags.
number Of other points in your letter to The
World" seem to me to be founded on premises as
readily refuted by the actual figures as the above.
will not trouble You with any statement Of them,
but felt that the figures above given ought to be
brought to your WttentOn, In order that you might
have opportunity to correct false impression OF
somewhat peculiar, and ] may say cruel character.
have said viii convince you that your implication
against the forthcoming census statistics is ono
TO others, should be %itBdTawn Very truly T yoar aS
S. n. D. NORTH, Special Agent.