The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-13

mas Dcch thhoh py u SpoSi"i oupeiihtohu-
ent appointed by the Governor, who
acted under the direction OF a census
board, composed OF the Governor, Secre-
taryNof State, and superintendent of
Census. The census board, as the final
authority, is still maintained, but the act
providing for a commissioner of industrial
statistics made that officer superintendent
OF the census, ex ofiicio. This change made
the Office OF industrial statistics virtually
census bureau, and thereby insured
more uniform work superintended by an
official already thoroughly familiar with
the collecting of statistics. The present
census board is composed of His Excel
lency ID. Russell Brown, Hon. Charles p.
Bennett, and Hon. Henry Il. Tiepke.
They met as early as Novem Der last, TO
consider the system upon which the work
should be conducted. After examining
several plans they decided to use the sys-
tenn invented and copyrighted by Charles
f. Pidgin OF Cambridge, Mass, which
commended itself To then. on the grounds
OF accuracy, economy, and simplicity.
Mr.. Pidgin is a well-known statistician
of Massachuset Is, who has been chief
clerk OF the labor department OF that
State during the past % years, His sys-
tenn was used il the last Massac husetts
State census.
The board was convinced that the Pid-
gin system was much better for a smaller
State; especially since 1t would bring the
additional advantage of working hand in
hand with the Massachusetts, authori-
ties, thereby making the returns from
both states very valuable for comparative
purposes. The system has been material
ly revised by the superintendent to meet
the needs OF this State. Questions have
been added that are not covered by the
Massachusetts, census and a special in
quiry Is made of a very important nature.
This system consists OF the cards be-
fore described, counting machine con-
tanning II compartments very much like
the pigeon holes in roller top desk, and
plan OF analyzing the returns which the
Massachusetts authorit consider TO be
as nearly perfect as can be practically OBJ
tanned. There will be 90 counting ma
chimes used. Over each compartment in
the counting machines is a patent de-
vice for counting each card as it is de-
posted therein.
When the enumerators have retur ned
the cards upon which they have
written the answers to the questions,
they will be carefully inspected and
sorted and turned over TO be counted in
the machines by some twenty or thirty
lady clerks. In these mac hines they will
be sorted first in age periods, then as to
color and race, then as to nationality, and
so on, each card being handled probably
100 times. The labor this involves will be
better understood when it is stated that
$4,000 cards will be furnished the enum-
orators, b-divided as follows: 100000
The results obtained by the counting
machines will be tabulated, computed, and
analyzed by means of the latest improved
adding machines.
One of the first duties required of the
superintendent was the securing of suit
able quarters. These have been found in
the Breck building, 35 North Main street,
where the State occupies half OF the
second aud the whole of the third floor.
The second floor office will be used by the
industrial statistics bureau, and the third
Hoor- -Will-be- used -for-the census work .
proper, the large hall being entirely
utilized for the counting machines. Some
idea of the printing required may be OBJ
tanned by glance at the shelves around
he room, hich are heavily laden with
cards and other documents pertaining to
the work.
The offices have been equipped in such
| manner that very little outlay will be
required for future statistical work, and
therefore, the State will be prepared to
undertake any line OF research at any |
ime with very little additional expense.
During the past three months the sup |
and the chief clerk, John IL. !
Davis, have been busy preparing the |
necessary forms and copy for the printer,
the credentials OF would be |
and receiving applications for
Employment. Not a week passes but that
here are score OF applicants applying
or positions, and the board will soon
lave the very delicate task of choosing
me out of every five or ten.
Miss Henrietta Herman, who has spent
everal years in the national census
bureau, and Miss j. b. Williams, who
vas employed in the last State census,
lave also been engaged to take charge OF
departments. Ex-Sec. II. w. Jennings,
Vho is secretary of the census board, will
AXE charge OF the counting and the
pecial agency division. This latter work
gill commence in November by special
gents, who will Inquire into the agricul-
ulture, poultry raising, and fisheries OF
he State. AT the opening of the year
pecial statistics in regard to manuiac-
ures will be taken.
The census board Mt its last meeting APP
ointed tho following enumerators.
Providence.
VILLAIN s. Forsyth, Dennis A. Kiley,
aul r. Bullard, William T. pntstone
enry NJ. James, Eugene J. Rieley,
cnry G. Marsh, Charles II. Thom pson.