The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-22
AEDDLED WITH SPOKANE
TACOMA ALSO FOUND FAULT WITH
INLAND EMPIRE CITY's CENSUS.
CATION at once-Census Bureau
Says City of Destiny Was Guilty
of Same breaches She Charges.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Tntellgencer.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 21.-Director Mer-
riam today received dispatch from his
confidential agent. Victor II. Olmstead,
saying he left Butte last night and would
go at once TO Seattle. careful exam
nation of the census schedules OF the
latter city do not afford much evidence
in support OF Tacoma's claim that her
sister city was guilty of population pad
ding. In fact, most, If not all things
complained of by Tacoma as having been
done at Seattle. were likewise done in
the same manner at Tacoma. Objections
were made to the enumeration at Seattle
Of steamer loads OF passengers. bound
for points in Alaska. The census sched-
ules show that passengers on steam
ers and their crews as well. were also
enumerated at Tacoma. At the census
Office IL is stated there can be no possi-
BILE objection TO such enumeration, pro-
vided the same people had not already
been enumerated somewhere else.
All Persons Enumerated Somewhere.
The census office expects every person
in the United States within the stated
period to have been enumerated some
where. Those sailing for Alaska are en-
titled to enumeration at the port of de-
harkation. Alaska's census having al
ready been taken. Apparently the only
question the special agent will have to
solve is from which city did these tran
sient travellers start.
Probably No Recount
There is nothing to indicate that any
corrections will make any serious differ
tx,
Is there any likelihood that renumera-
tion of either city win be ordered. The
investigation may include some other cit
les on the Sound, for it is said energetic
enumerators in other towns counted pas
sengers on every steamer that touched at
their wharves, and in this way some per-
sons names appear on rolls as residents
OF various cities. or course. this Is very
easy of correction. as schedules with
names and time of enumeration afford
ample evidence to enable census officials
to reach a decision.
Tacoma Assaila spokane Also.
1t appears also that Tacoma. when she
prepared her blanket protest against Sc
attic. included therein Spokane, and the
people OF the latter city, who have just
learned Of II. have been anxiously wiring
TO Director Merriam asking what he in
tends to do about 1t. From the fact that
Special Agent Oimstead goes direct from
Butte to Seattle and has instructions
whatever 10 visit Spokane. II is quite ap-
parent he does not intend to do anything.
He declines to be Interview regarding
the matter. and says the figures for The
principal cities of Washington state viii
given out about the same time. wnen
all questions have been settled. VI is
learned however. that a careful cxami-
nation has already been made OF the spo-
kane schedules. and while the total shows
very gratifying increase In population.
absolutely nothing appears to warrant the
charge of padding the figures.
Director Merriam expects Agent Ohm
stead viii be occupied several days with
his investigation in Seattle and Tacoma.
and another week will probably pass be-
fore his conclusions are forwarded.