The evening times., 1899-04-27
CAUSE OF DELAY IN
YHE CENSUS BUREAU
Waiting for Supplies From
the Public Printer.
Examinations Not Likely to Begin
This Week.
The Search for Permanent Quarters.
Work of Enumeration In
the Colonies.

The examination Of applicants for posi-.
tions in the Census Bureau was not begun
today as had been anticipated. The Cen
sus oficials are still waiting ON the Gov.
eminent Printing Ofice for the printed
| notice to applicants and cards of admis-
\ sion.
| Neither Director Merriam nor Assistant
| Director Wines Is able to say when the
first twenty-four applicants will be ex-
amined. as everything now depends upon
the Government Printer, who has thus far
failed to notify the Census Bureau when
the matter being prepared under his su-
pervision will be ready.
| The first examination may be held this
week. but 1t is more than likely that it
will not take place until the beginning Of
next week. Only applicants from WASH
! ington and the surrounding country In
Virginia and Maryland will be called upon
| to try the examinations. which are to be
| held in the Maltby Building, at the cor
ner Of New Jersey Avenue and B Street
| northwest. With the exception OF the
printed matter everything else Is in readi-
ness for the holding of the examinations.
There have been no new developments in
| the search fer Permanent quarters for the
| bureau. IL has been about decided, the on
| cials say, that it will be necessary to erect
| a structure ior lne C...su3 Offire as there
are no buildings in IN, city suitable ior
housing the entire working force of the va
rious departments Of the bureau.
1t is understood that several local syn
dicates have been organized for the purpose
Of constructing the needed building and
| have submitted plans to Director Merriam
who now has them under consideration.
No definite action has been taken In the
matter however, and it will probably be
some days before the Director awards the
contract. AS it will require some time to
erect the proposed building. 1t Ia becoming
necessary that arrangements be perfected
in the immediate future in order that the
work OF the bureau may commence at the
proper time. II Is thought that ii will be
about six months before q building such
as Director Merriam wants can bs COM
pleted. By that time the preliminary work
of arranging for the actual taking of the
census must be commenced. The names
CT the parties who have offered to build
the needed quarters for the bureau and the
plans and specifications submitted by them
have not yet been given out nor is it
probable that they will be made known to
the public until the Director has awarded
the contract.
In the bill passed by the last Congress
providing for the taking OF the present
census no provision was made for the
u
Rico and the Philippines. 1t is very prob
able that this important work will b. au-
thorized by the next Congress and that il
will be one Of the first important matters
of business taken up when Congress as
sembles next December
Cuba is not colony of the United States
and under the agreement existing between
this country and the natives of the island
the American Government has nothing
more than military authority there
Whether Congress will deem it advisable
or necessary to take the census of the ISL
and is a question that remains to be set
however. no difficulty is anticipated by the
Census officials.
There is every reason to believe that tn,
census OF Porto Rico and the Philippines
will be provided for by the next Congress.
The estimated population Of the Philip
pines on January l, 1889 was 8 600 OO1
The islands embrace 1I3, 900 square miles
The enumeration Of their inhabitants Is
regarded as an easy task.
The means Of communication are not
bad. and the climate. unlike that Of Alas
ka, would not prevent the work Of the emu
merators during any season Of the year.
The war is the only obstacle in the way
at present but 1t is thought that before
the onumerators are ready to begin their
work the insurrection will have been
crushed
The estimated population of Porto Rico
is 100000. and the island embraces $500 |
square miles OF territory. The taking Of |
the Porto Rican census will probably be !
the least arduoUs part of the work in the /,
territory Of the United States. AS Con- |
gress has not authorized the taking Of the |
census OF the colonies no details have yet |
no MIA NV