The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19
TAKING A CITY'S Census
A Complete Canvass of Philatel-
phia's People in One Day.
The County sabbath school Associn-
lion 10 Have Eight thousand Men
Make House-to-Housc Visits 10 ob-
tain Accurate stntistics-Nork TO
Re Done on washineton's Birthday

PHILADELPHIA, Feb lS.-Taking a
complete census Of Philadelphia in one day
is the stupendous task which the local
County Sabbath School Association has
guaranteed to perform on Washington 5
birthday. Elaborate arrangements have
been made to obtain the most reliable re-
turns
The plans for the taking of the census
are under the direction Of DIR. George w.
Bailey, Chairman Of the Visitation Com
mittee Headquarters have been estab-
lished at 1881 Walnut Street. The work
Itself will be directed by Hugh Cork. who
successfully accomplished similar task
in Pittsburg some time ago.
There will be thorough house-to- house
canvass. The number OF persons in every
dwelling will be recorded together with
their sex and age. The religion of all will
be noted, and also whether they go to
church. The children's attendance at Sun
dav-school will also be recorded, together
with any facts particularly relating to their
religion.
In order TO carry out faithfully the ar
rangements call has been issued for 5000
volunteers to act as canvassers. Each
Sunday school superintendent and the pas
tors of all the churches in the city have
been requested to select competent men
who can be depended upon the make the
canvass in their immediate neighborhoods.
II is intended TO have each canvasser cover
from sixty to eighty dwellings.
The city has been divided into eighteen
districts, and reputable man has been as
laEs- sCs
assist these 1877 mea will be appointed to
be chosen from among the clergymen and
Sunday-school superintendents. Every
chairman and his lieutenant will be sup
piled with all necessary instructions, blank
cards for each dwelling and all other
paraphernalia
Every canvasser Will start out TO collect
the data in his district at 8 O'Clock on the
morning OF February % After covering
his assignment he will prepare summar-
lied statement of his returns and present
IL TO his lieutenant, who will at once re-
turn the information to the district chair
man, and the latter, with the aid of a
corps Of accountants. will prepare a COM
plete statement. which will be sent TO
headquarters as speedily as possible.
The primary object of this religious CEN
fus is an effort TO bring the masses closer
10 the churches. The movement r. en-
iirely non-sectarian, and has been cordially
endorsed b, nearly every church in the
city. II Is expected that the full returns
can be given to the newspapers on the
evening of the day on which the census is
TO be taken.
As soon as the names have been properly
recorded every pastor will be furnished
with list Of persons in the vicinity OF his
church. The Methodist clergyman will be
given the names and addresses OF all Meth
odlsts near his church who fall TO attend
divine service. He will be requested to
sss them and endeavor 10 induce them 10
attend regularly. II has been conjectured
that this work will be the means of bring |
ing from sixty thousand to one hundred |
thousand new faces within the churches OF
the city
A special arrangement has been made for |
covering the slum districts This |
work will be under the immediate direction /
nj the Salvation Army and the Christian |
League. II no information can be CLEANED
rs TO the religion of the inmates, they will
be asked TO tell the religion OF their par
ents