The National tribune., 1892-11-03
CENSUS FIGURES ATTACKED.
A Charge that the Cranp Shipyard was
Omitted from the Bulletin.

A Charge that the Cramp Shipyard was
Omitted from the Bulletin.
The attention of Henry w. CraDp OF the
ship-buildng firm of Cramps Sons was re-
Gently called to the report OF the ship-bulding
industry of Philadelphia. which forms por-
ton of recent census bulletin of manufac-
lures in Philadelphia. 1t has been charged by
Congressman Reyburn, Lorin Blodgett David
Thompson, and others, that tho figures of this
census have been manipulated so that Phiia-
dephia has been relegated to third place, in
stead of. occupying her proper position as the
leading manufacturing city of the country.
Mr.. Cramp states that the figures forwarded
to Washington by his firm alone far exceeded
tho totals published. and that they must GER
tainly have been ignored in preparing the re-
ports. Tho list prepared by the special agent
containing the questions that the firm were to
answer is now in the possession OF Henry w.
Cramp having been returned TO him from
Washington. The reports showed that during
that year alone six vessels were built, with a
total value of So $4,000. There was also $780,
600 worth of repair work done in 1890, making
the grand total of 1926 900. In addition to
this the valne of the plant was set down at
practically 100000
The questions submitted to the firm were
very numerous, and many Of them it was found
impossible to answer. 1t is believed the return
was thrown out because these questions were
not answered.
Since the return of the list the firm has been
again asked to furnish the answers. but has
failed to do SO because of utter inability to
fully comply.
Many of the questions would require for an
swer a complete exposure of private business,
and this, they contend, they have no right to
be asked to disclose
Among other things they are asked to state
from what States the different kinds of lumber
used are secured. This is beyond their power
to state, as tho material is bought without ques-
ton as to where it was grown.
Hon. Robert p. Porter, Superintendent of the
Census said, in reference to the above report,
that " the industrial statistics of Philadelphia.
as given ont by the Census Office, were collected
by Charles Heber Clark, Secretary of the Man
ufacturers Club Of Philadelphia and Editor Of
the Textile Record. He is a man of high ability
and character and bis work has the support of
the manufacturers of that city. man named
Thompson who was discharged for incompe-
teney and for attempting to "stnff" the re-
turns of Philadelphia, is instigating this at
tack. / have now several of Thompson's men
under Indictment for forgery in making false
returns.
".Not being at the Office, am unable to ex-
pain Cramps statement, but suppose that he has
either failed or refused to give in his returns,
or that the statistics OF shipbulding have been
reserved for the special report on that subject.
] am certain nothing has been omitted inten-
tionally, and am likewise certain that the
industrial statistics of Philadelphia have been
carefully collected and that the work will
stand fair criticism of any kind A growth
such as that shown in Philadelphia ought to be
satisfactory, without padding"