The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-29
WHAT A CENSUS SHOULD BE
Economic Association Con-
siders the Problem.

New Haven. Conn, Dec. 28.-The resort
Of the committee on the scope and method
of the twelfth census occupied the atten-
ton of the American Economic associa-
ton at its first session of the day. Inc
committee consisted Of Professor Rich
mond Mayo-Smith, Walter F. Wilcox
Hon. Carroll D. Wright, Prof. Roland T.
FaIkrer and Davis p Dewey. The report
embodied q large number of extracts from
ESSAYS submitted to the committee in re-
Spouse TO questions sent out to leading
economists. The papers were on specific
topics and contain a large amount OF valu-
able suggestions and information as to
advanced statistical methods. In its own
report the committee says Of the sugges-
tons offered:
',There is criticism not so much Of the
accuracy of the census returns as Of the
treatment Of the date Qn the eleventh CEN
sus reports) and of a lack of continuity
from census to census. Both defects We
believe to be largely due to the insult
ficlent time allowed by law for preparing
plans and schedules.
THE work Of the census is seriously i'm
peded by the number of the Investigations
ordered and their variety, and consequent
" fundamental inquiries cannot receive
adequate attention. A number of subordi
nate inquiries might advantageously be
transferred to established bureaus or de-
partments which are equipped with exerr
agents and some of which now publish
several volumes Of kindred statements"
The report points out defects or weak
nesses in method. as follows:
- L. 3 -,
data from census to census. Occupations
are grouped under different heads. making
it impossible to trace growth or decline in
certain branches Of industry.
'.Second-The lack Of coordination. The
inquiries should be more closely associated
in method of presentation with one anoth-
or. so that more of the facts available in
one might be available IN others. as. for in
stance. the number of persons employed
the capital invested. the wages paid, etc.
'Thlrd-Ca) Faults OF method. Certain
Investigations relating to matters Of great
est interest fail TO give results because the
basic of inquiry IS at fault. In this class
belong all attempts to secure the annual
rate for crime. births and deaths by direct
enumeration at a given time without re-
course to registration or other continuous
records.
90 Questions which cannot he an
swered, such as degree OF intermixture OF
white and negro hood.
40 The fluctuations are IN some cases
omitted. or are defective, or are over-tab-
ulated.
'(d) There ara certain faults Of CLASH
fcation which are found IN both schedules
and fluctuations. as statistic Of occupation.
/ especially distribution Of laborers not
specified. statistics Of taxation Of wealth.
/ municipal receipts, etc.
A spirited discussion followed upon the
/ report Of the committee. many dlsting-
uiShed economists and publioists taking
( part.
( Discussion was also had more particular
4 " on the question. is Il possible TO set
( statistics Of capital and industry2' led by
/ the Hon. : y. n. North. Hon Horace
I Wad,in and Prof. II g Adams and on
/ What may and should The statistics Of
municipal finance be made % SHOVE" led
/ by Professors IT. r. Gardner and L s.
Z Rowe and Dr. Maltby
Subsequently the convention listened 70
papers on American economic history.
| dealing with aspects OF the United States
| treasury situation III the years 1898 70 iss7.
and price movements in the Confederate
states during thu civil war