The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-16

details. So heavy did the Inquiries bur
den the 18th census that two of the GEN.
sus reports are still incomplete and at
least one of them Will not be pub
1ished unit some indefinite time in the
future.
The other, and apparently the better
opinion, is that the census should be
limited in its scope to an enumefa-
ton Of the population and the collnc-
tion of statistics directly concerning the
people and not specifically relating to
their business affairs. Statistics eight
or ten years old are of little value IN
this rapidly moving age. Facts coll
lected are of no value to the country
until made public. and where the field
of inquiry is so broad as 10 retafd the
publication of the reports for many
years after the information is collected.
the work is rendered valueleas.
Tt Is quite probable that the 18th CEN
sus will be confined to an enumeration
of the people. supplemented by few
pertinent inquiries as to the age, ma
tiyity and social relations of the indi-
viduals. Information concerning farm
mortgages. manufactures. internal
trade and kindred subjects Of special in
terest from an economic point of view
can be collected from year to year
through a statistical bureau specially
organized for the purpose, in more
effective manner and a less expense
than through the agency OF the census
bureau the work of which should be
promptly done and speedily reported.
Much discussion has been provoked
by the proposal to select employees for
the census bureau through the agency
of an examination TO be devised by the
director Of the census. Many persons
contend that selections for the census
service should be made through the
regular civil service machinery. The
ttrrS. mt 1ann hnGFiIitV
to the civil service, but arose from
conviction on the part of the committee
that the director charged With the work
and responsibility for its performance
in a manner satisfactory to the eoun-
try could certainly devise scheme for
the examination of employees destined
to prove more satisfactory and effect
i've than would be the results evolved
by the general systems of examination
employed by the civil service.
II must be borne in mind that the
census force is temporary. II will of
necessity be increased very rapidly and
will quite as rapidly be decreased when
The work shall have been performed.
The director should have wide discre-
ton. since charged with q very import
ant task requiring prompt and vigor-
Gus action. Authority to dismiss any
employe from the service without max
ing any explanation should rest With
the director II clerks aD0ui 10 ne fe-
moved are given authority To demand a
trial to ascertain whether cause exists
for their removal or not. the time II
the director would be moaopulized by
succession Of petty hearings Ia The
great impairment of his usefulness.
The taking of the census should be
pressed forward with The xigor or an
active army campaign and any ruiz.
regulation or sentimental scheme cal
eulated II impair the vigar or impede
he progress Of The work should be
promptly and unceremoniouSiy reject
I'd. The individual incapable OF pre-
scribing proper rules and regulations
for a legitimate inquiry into the fitness
of applicants for employment IN the
bureau would be obviously incompetent
to discharge the important duties Of
director. ! think ii will be found that
congress will show little patience with
the effort TO overload the census bureau
and hamper It's operations for the mere
purpose of catering to an overweight
sentiment in favor of the existing civil
service law Eigor and efficiency ef
service must prevail over sentimental
considerations
THOMAS III. CARTER.
Chairman of the Committee on Census
Of the United States Senate.