The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-03
The Census Bureau Outrage.

The people who have been unsuccessful
in their applications for positions in the
Census Bureau may feel. after interview
ing the successful applicants, that there
are compensations for their disappolnt-
ment. If the outsider is without q job,
at least, he can stay on the shady side Of
the street while starving. whereas the
census clerk earns his bread literally in
the sweat of his brow, in a building ex-
pressly constructed to make him perspire.
This building is a low-roofed one-story
affair, the roof OF which consists OF two
thicknesses of ground glass. It was erected
| for the particular purpose to which It Is
now devoted, and apparently. its construc-
being the best conceivable for the use to
which 1t was to be put. Certain it is that
whereas there were numerous office build
ings in Washington, any one of which could
have been secured at considerably less ex-
pense than that Incurred in building the
new structure, the Government declined to
use any of these. though to the ordinary
eye they appeared admirably suited for
the occupancy of large force of clerks.
1t had the present Census Building put up,
after mature consideration. and the clerks
are now n 1t and studying its construc-
ton at short range
At present they are slightly puzzled over
the peculiarities of the glass-roofed and
extensive hot-bed in which they are con-
fined. 1t seems to be cross between a
conservatory and barn. The more INTEL
ligent among the clerks are wondering Is
1t could possibly have been intended for
Turkish bath. The examinations which
each applicant was required to pass indi-
cate that the Government wished to Sc
cure a high order of brain for the work OF
running "a tabulatirg machine. The can
dldate for appointment was required to
know some reconcile facts in United States
history and geography, and be able t. do
sums in the back part of the arithmetic.
II is Just possible that the architect may
have conceived the idea that hot-house
forcing would improve the intellect OF the
clerk even after appointment, and thus
constructed the building with view to
subjecting the whole force to i,iteIse and
continuous heat.
A one-story building with = glass roof
was never before used for anything but
dollhouse. and If the architect had the no.
ton that human brains as well as young
onions and lettuce would develop fast I'M
der glass. his plan is logically correct. But
il should be remembered that the census
clerks are adults, and their brains, being
already formed. are more likely to be
tod hv hn nj n
July sun pouring down upon them through |
ground glass. In fact, there is reason to |
doubt that the human brain is benefited by |
the same conditions which cause cabbages
to grow out of season. and 1t seems as IL
an chronological experiment OF this kind
might better be tried by some society de-
voted to that study in private laboratory
than in a big building containing several
hundred clerks doing the work of the Gov
If there is any scientific reason for the
of such an incubator it ought
10 be known. During the past week
women have tainted and men 9imperiled
their immortal souls by profane language.
all because of the heat in the Census
BUILDING.
was intended in some occ lit way
for the benefit of their brains perhaps the
OF things would seem more bear
able. but at present they are atIixing UNI
brellas to their desks to shelter them
selves from ;hc rays of the sun and make
It possible to do their work The spectacle
is rather ludicrous-the Government, not
tho clerks. appearing absurd.
Without exaggeration ii may be said
that this Building is constructed on pre-
,isely the same principles - a forcing
house. causing the clerks there to suffer
rom prostration by the heat as well as
various optical diseases caused by the
glare of light. Is this the proper environ
nent in which 10 collect. tabulate and give
o the public scientific statements regard
ng the population Of the United States?
S It to be supposed that under these
orcing house conditions accurate statis-
les wili grow and flourish. or will they be
Il that peculiar nature common to plants