The morning times., 1897-02-14
ECONOMY IN CENSUS WORK
Reasons Why a Permanent Bu-
reau Should Be Created.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT
1t Is Believed That, the Proposed
Change Would Reduce the Neces-
sary Expenditures Many Millions
of Dollars and Promote the Ef-
ficiency of the Work.

The report accompanying the bill to
provide for the twelfth and subsequent
censuses, among other things, says:
The committee is satisfied that by the
creation OF permanent census service
several million dollars can be saved in
taking the twelfth census and that the
reports can be brought out with much
greater promptness than heretofore. The
eleventh census cost over S11 800, 600,
and this enormous cost was largely due
to the lack of time for preparation, to the
haste with which the whole machinery
Of the census was placed IN motion to the
attempt to make vast number OF INQUIRIES
at one time, to the lack of continuity in
census work, and to the necessi sity of
closing il up with temporary force of
clerks whose members knew well that
close application TO their duties tended
to the short ening of their term of service
There were 3Sl different inquiries at the
eleventh census. The per capita cost was
/ S.3 cents as against III cents in 1880
and 81 cents i'll 1870. BY reducing tie
features OF the twelfth census to the emu
meration Of the people, with such socio-
logical facts as may he deemed necessary
tile collection of agricultural and manufac-
turing statistics through brief schedules,
the utilization OF a trained and skilled
force as a nucleus for tlelarger force neces-
sary at the time of the enumeration, it is
confidently believed that the total ex-
pense can he reduced several millions as
rod a. o. a. "A ia aIa
census.
Tie bill reported, therefore, provides that
tie Commissioners OF Labor shall submit a
report to tie Fifty-fifth Congress, clearly
defining the topics of inquiry and provid-
ing for tie details or the twelfth census
In this way well defined gislation can be
secured and results OF experience in tile
past ccususcs fully utilized Then, II Con
gress sees fit to take up other departments
of inquiry than those couprohended in the
eleventh. census, ii cen DO so subsequently
to the enumeration of 1900.
By doing this the continuous work OF "A
trained and skilled force would be Sc
cured, ana the total expense for the whole
period ~ ten years vastly Teduy cl from that
incurred at the eleventh censIs, and by this
method the number OF volumes necessary
to comprehend the results OF the twelfth
census need not exceed five and should he
before tie public WITHIN three years from
tie time OF the enumeration in / 800
The temporary character OF the Census
office renders difficult the proper preser-
vation of the records aud experience Of
former years. At each census the whole
work OF preparation and organization must
be begun anew. II is perfectly evident
that this involves a waste OF effort Which,
If expended properly. would materially
enhance the value OF the census. Hereto
fore the whole work Of preparation has
been crowded into few months. The
preparatory work involved in any statis
teal undertaking is OF the greatest ina
portance and is the key TO the success of
the inquiry, for inasmuch as a plan once
adopted cannot be changed, il is important
that every detail should be well considered
in advance.
The project of permanent census office
is not a new one 1t has been before the
House, through the favorable report OF
q committee directed to examine the sub
ject, the report having been submitted in
February, 500. In the opinion of the
committee, at that time the amount OF
money needed TO carry on a continuous
| census service, distributingits work through
the ten year periods, would be materially
less than the amount which would be
necessary TO take the census under the
present system, and, in addition, the work
of collection and compilation of returns
would be more accurately and satisfac-
torily performed and the results attained
be of much greater value.
In addition to the Endorsement of the
Census Committee of the House in S93,
the idea of IA permanent census has been
fully indorsed by al the leading stats
ticians and economists in the country and
by the press generally. 1t is believed
to be the only way in which to secure
the necessary reforms.