Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-10-05
NATIONS DEATH RATE,
Collection OF Mortality Statistics foy
the Census.

the Census,
Director Merriam, of the census Nu-
reau, will make every effort to collect
mortality statistics for the next census
which will hp valuable. Owing to the
neglect Of this work in many parts
Of the country, and the difficulty en-
couuterod in the taking OF previous
censuses In securing reliable statistics,
a circular letter will be sent to all per-
sons interested, asking their assistance
and giving suggestions for The best
method OF accomplishing the desired
result.
1t is n comparatively easy matter to
secure statistics of the living popula-
ton through the census euumerators.
but experience has demonstrated that
they fail 10 report more than 80 or
80 per cent, ot the deaths occurring in
the country, Census returns by emu
merators. therefore, furnish no basis
for n computation or death rates per
thousand oC The population In any state
or in any more restricted area,
Director Merriam takes the view that
the end sought in the study Of the
population Is to dcterminc Its natural
law ot growth, as controlled Ivy births,
deaths immigration and emigration,
A complete return Of deaths is essen
tial to the solution of the problem thus
presented. No such record van be oh.
tanned through tho agency of cnumera-
ton. nor can II be obtained from Of
fetal records, unless officials viii agree
to furnish for use In the census full
replies to all the inquiries contained
IN the mortality schedule,
The law governing the return OF
mortality statistics varies In different
states In some states the law pro-
vtdes for a general system Of registra-
ton and the making OF returns Of
births and deaths TO central ONCE,
Int in Others the registration Is purely
local, being confined to certain cities
and towns, TO secure complete
knowledge Of the methods followed In
various cities and towns whore such
statistics are kept, the director sent to
the health authorities OF all towns hay
ing population Of 5000 by the last
census u circular asking for descrlp-
tlon Of the method employed In their
city The data thus obtained, together
with the responses which are expected
from the new circular, will. II Is hoped,
enable the bureau to devise n plan for
the satisfactory collection of mortality
statistics throughout the country
TO insure the success of this plan the
director Of the census suggests that a
hlenk be used for this purpose which
shall he uniform throughout tho coun-
try. The inquiries most commonly
omitted from the returns of deaths re-
quired 10y law or by some municipal
ordinance are those relating to the
birthplace Of parents, to occupation
and to the eonjugal condition. Two Of
the principal ends sought In statistical
research are thus defeated. In every
case the inquiry must cover the de-
sCendant's name, sex, color, age, con
iugal condition, place Of birth, birth
plnce of each parent, occupation, cause
of death, date Of death. and, II born
in the census year, the date of birth
In order to give time for the adop.
ton of uniform system of regstrn-
ton, Director Merriam proposes that
mortality statistics for the calendar
year of 1900 be taken, instead OF those
for the - months ending June 80
1900 This change viii have the fur