Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-30
For coMFoRT OF CLERKS
MEASURES FOR RELIEF OF CENSUS
oFFICR FORCE.
The Method Emgloyed i'm construc-
ton of Roof-No More Exam
,n.t,onL follAppo..tment.

Ventflating experts and government arch
fleets have BEEN INSPECTING the census Of
flee building today, and plan has been
devised whereby the clerks will be better
protected hereafter from the fierce rays OF
the sun. When Director Merriam's atten-
ton was first called to the almost unbear-
able heat in the big rooms where the
punchers are employed he set about to
devise ways and means to anleliorate the
conditions. He said today to reporter of
The Star that nothing would be left I'M
done to make the clerks comfortable. 1t
was found upon inspection that the men
In charge of the rooms were not familiar
with the scientific arrangement of the roof
There are in reality two roofs. Both are
of glass. The architect has so devised this
part OF the building that the lower or in
side roof was to be kept closed during the
summer time. in order to keep the hot air
generated by the sun confined above, and
kept constantly moving out through the
side ventilators. The inside roof is in small
square sections, like windows. and swing
SO that they may be opened and closed at
will. 1t was never intended that they
should be open in the summer time for that
alone would do away with the ADVANTAGES
of the double roof. Somehow or other, the
notion spread among the clerks that these
roof windows should be kept open, and
when it became hot the frames were raised.
lue result WAS tndt the not air cOnnneQ I'M
der the roof found its way into the room,
and sent the thermometers booming and the
clerks Swooning.
The architect visited the building today
and Immediately ordered the closing of the
roof windows in one room. while in the
other they were permitted to remain open.
Two thermometers registering alike were
placed in each room and later in the day
compared. 1t was found. that the one in
the room where the lower roof was closed
registered five or six degrees lower than
the other, which demonstrated the advan-
tages of the double roof. So that hereafter
the lower roof will be kept closed.
AS further precaution against the hot
rays of the sun a heavy coat of white
wash was placed on the upper roof, and this
in conjunction with the curtains keep out
old Sol most effectively.
1t may be found necessary to keep the
upper roof continually moist by flooding It
with water, and the architect of the build
Ing has presented plan which involves
the use Of perforated pipes through which
water will run in a fine continuous stream
over the glass roof. Several large electric
exhaust fans will be placed in the building
Immediately to carry out the hot air, and
additional electric fans will be put in posi-
ton at once.
The Directors Statement.
Director Merriam. in discussing this mat
ter with reporter, of The Star today said :
when this matter of heat was brought
to my attention I Immediately set about to
remedy the difficulty. You may rest as
sured that everything will be done to make
the rooms in which the clerks work COM
Portable. The architect of the treasury has
been called into consultation. and 1 am sat
isfied it will be very much more comfort
able next week.
The Last Examination
Positively the last examination for posi-
lions In the census office was held this
morning at the. special examina ton ROOM
Dds B street northwest. Ninety-six men
and women occupied five different rooms
and worked all day on the problems, the
solution Of which is to determine their fit
ness for the appointment. This cleans up
the list. There are no more to be exam
ined. 1t is useless to make application now
for appointments! Already there is an eli
gible list of 1.2S7. and the large majority
of these will be- disappoiht t ed! The director
has made out list of the additional
clerks to be employed. 1t numbers 80. By
the list of August these viii all be APP
pointed. There are now at work > GJ:,.
The actual work of counting the popula-
ton of the United States is in progress.
This morning 352 tahulating machines were
at work punching the cards. The number
Is being increased each day. AS fast
transferred to regular machines. Thus far
there has been no hitch, the punchers be-
coming skillful in short time.
1t will be necessary, in order to COM
p!ete the census in the time allotted by law.
to employ a night force. This will be
known as the Comparison force and its
duties will be to compare the work done by
the punchers during the day. in order that
the cards can go at once to the tabulating
machines. with mistakes reduced TO mini
mum. This force will be detailed from the
regular rolls and will begin work at
O clock and finish at III 30 pm.