New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21

Boston. where the members have been chosen
because Of their interest in some branch of the
subject. One is a leading manager OF trust
estates, and a member Of the Board OF Estimate
and Apportionment one is a manufacturer one
is a physician who was formerly secretary Of
the Massachusetts, Board Of Health; one is a
broker. one is a civil engineer. and is a
professor Of economics and statistics. All are
men Of education and standing
DR.. Edward M. Hartwell, the secretary of the
board, has made vital and educational statistics
a study, and did special work in Europe as the
agent Of the United States Government for the
Department OF Labor and the United States Bu-
reau of Education. This board publishes a bull
letn Of statistics. and by other reports and
publications keeps the city Informed on the SUBJ
ject Of statistics pertaining to all the municipal
departments.
In report made to the Mayor DR.. Hartwell.
the secretary. mentions the following as some
OF the matters which the Commission consider
in its work: Meteorological statistics. statistics
relating to the movement OF population; that is,
changes in number and character of the popu-
lation through deaths. births. marriages. d.
vorces immigration statistics, statistics show
ing the number. character and movement of the
defective criminal. helpless and pauper classes
Of the community as shown by the returns from
hospitals, prisons. reformatories. asylums ETC.;
educational statistics. labor statistics, CONNER
cial statistics and financial market and charity
statistics The prevention, detection and pun
shment Of crime. statistics relating to public
works, parks. laying out Of streets erection and
alteration Of buildings, transfer of real estate,
and many other subjects are covered by the
Commission. Or. Hartwell says:
The United States Weather Bureau. the Immi-
grafton Commissioner the Collector of Customs,
the Boston Chamber of Commerce. the Boston
Stock Exchange the Real Estate Exchange and
Auction Board the Massachusetts, General Hos
pital and other institutions have kindly agreed
to cooperate with us by furnishing monthly
statistics from their own records; and the vari-
Gus city departments have done the same.
our attention has not been confined to the
financial statistics of the city for, although 1t
appears that these now occupy more OF the pub
lie attention than other matters OF statistical
interest yet In other cities ii has been not in
frequently found that the most valuable part
of the work Of statistical bureaus has been in
the way OF vital and sanitary statistics. For
instance in Budapest an examination into the
conditions of living in the city with regard to
drainage, cleanliness, Overcrowding and per-
sonal habits. and the measures adopted as the
result Of such examination, were largely instru-
mental in bringing about the reduction in the
death rate from 43.1 to the thousand inhabi-
tants Of Pesth in 1870 to 24.6 per thousand in
Budapest in 1890
In speaking Of similar commissions in Euro
pean cities, DR.. Hartwell says:
In general the municipal statistical offices Of
the Continent are under the responsible charge
Of director. though certain general matters
connected with departmental appropriations
and the general policy OF the office are taken
cognizance Of by a statistical commission or
deputaton, composed of certain representative
city officials. or OF representatives OF the city
government and Of representatives of various
scientific bodies. In the larger statistical offices
the immediate subOrdinates and assistants Of
the director scientifically trained statisti-
clans, usually university graduates, besides
whom a permanent force Of calcuatOrs and
clerks is maintained. From time to time. as
exigencies arise, as. for instance, at the time Of
taking the city census. the office force is in
creased by additional temporary clerks and as
sistants
The principal municipal statistical Offices IN
Germany in Berlin, Bresau, Cologne, Dres-
den, Munich Leipsic and Frankfort. In Austria
Hungary the statistical offices Of Vienna and
Budapest hold the first place.
The various European boards and commits
sions have been closely studied by the members
OF the Department Of Municipal Statistics Of
Boston with a view to improving that branch
Of the city government. and the next report OF
the secretary will probably show that additional
information has been tabulated.
The Office force which complies the compre-
hensive reports consists of secretary. chief
clerk editorial clerk, stenographer and boy, and
the expense for the last year was $2.2O3 20, d.
vided as follows: Secretary, $1,000; clerks,
$7S7 30; printing $120 "a; stationery and post
age, STAG %; typewriter, $50 go travelling
penses, $4,000.
The Commissioners of Municipal Statistics for
New-York have shown results, have had only