The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-08
IMPROVING THE Census
Faults and Delays of Previous
Enumerations to Be Avoided.
Director Merriam Outlines the Plans
to Mark the TnbuIation of the
Field work All Employees to He
Gathered Into One Central building


The law providing for taking the Twelfth
Census is radically different from that uu-
der which any previous enumeration of the
! people and the collection OF statistics con-
corning their industries has been taken,
and it is believed that long stride in the
direction OF perfection has been taken b.
the act in question.
''In times past" said Director William
r. Merriam in an interview yesterday, lit
seems TO have been the idea OF those who
shaped census legislation that the work
did not need any well-defined plan, but that
large temporary force could be gathered
together. and the information concerning
population agriculture, and manufacturing
industries, with all the other subjects. COL
lected and reported to the country within
short space of time. The results, however,
were extremely unsatisfactory to all who
are really interested in the production of
a creditable piece of work. The act under
which the Twelfth Census is being operated
is decidedly the best that has ever been
enacted for taking a census. The executive
sharply defined that it is possible to make
the individual in charge Of each enquiry
responsible for lack OF method or hardness
in securing results.
Two years have been allowed for gath
ering. tabulating. printing. and binding the
statistics relating to the four most i'm
portant subjects with which the census
deals. namely. population. vital statistics.
agriculture, and manufacturing industries.
lshing the Census Reports of 1890 was
something like seven years. Il seems a
herculean undertaking to accomplish in
two years a task which required seven
years in the last Census. However. II Ii is
a possible thing il will be done within the
time prescribed.
1T Is estimated thst for the purpose of
transferring tire enumeiators' sheets to
cards and of counting the same by means
Of the Holleiith machines. at least twenty
eight hundred people will be employed at
one time. To secure a clerical force cspa-
bic of doing the work q system of exami
nations was inaugurated in Washington
during the early part OF the year. and has
been in operation up to the present date.
and is likely to continue for some months
TO come. These examinations are being
held in Washington. as well as In various
sections Throughout, the country. The ex-
aminations are largely in subjects init
mately connected with the census work.
Thus far about one-half of the people sp-
plying have failed to pass the prescribed
examination. There has been more or less
criticism upon the part of different news
papers throughout the country in regard to
this plan OF selecting the clerical force.
THE indications at this time are. how
ever that the persons who have been ap-
pointed from an eligible list made up IL
this manner will prove excellent clerks
The plan OF competitive examinations has
not been adopted. as it was not deemed
practicable to examine large number who
would naturally desire to be considered il
competitive examinations were held; and
the bureau has not the necessary ma
chinery at hand nor would IL be any spe-
cial advantage TO undertake TO collect the
clerical force in this way.
I'm order to complete the work within
the time prescribed. il was deemed neees-
sary to secure building large enough to
accommodate the enormous force which
will be employed. II has been the plan
heretofore. in taking the Census, to do the
work in different buildings. and. in some
cases. the work WIS done away from
Washington, thus making il impossible to
handle efficiently the large number OF peO-
pie required. The Superintendent of the
last Census was compelled to scatter his
force among nine or ten buildings. which
made il impossible to obtain the best re-
suits. i
THE Census Office after all is nothing
but great statistical bureau. and in the
employment OF so large force it is neces-
sary to pursue the same general tactics OF
administration as are usually observed in
Industrial institutions. From the best pos
a o,
2, 500 to 3.0O0 clerks, messengers, and other
employees would be required to do the pre-
liminary work and to complete and finish
the undertaking within the two years pre-
scribed by law II was determined, there
fore. TO make arrangements for a separate
and complete structure which could ac-
commodate the entire office Hence the
present headquarters at Second and b
Streets were erected and are especially
adapted to the requirements OF the Census
Office The four chief subjects to be con-
sidered as remarked above. are population |
vital statistics. agriculture. and manufac- |
lures. and these will have to be completed |
within the allotted two years, counting |
from June, 1900. These will be known as |
the Census reports As soon as the sta |
tistics under these heads have been COM
pleted the bureau is required to take up a /
great variety OF special subjects. These, |
when published. will be known as special |
Census reports
"A card system will be used in connec- !
ton with the Census which is adopted |
az being more expeditions. The Hollerith |
machine will be used in connection with
this system, and there have been already
ordered 100, OO0.0 900 cards.
II is generally believed that the reports
Of the Twelfth Census will be most valuable
public documents, and OF immense impor-
lance to students of political economy as
taught by statistics.