The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-11
CENSUS BILL HALTED
BUREAU PERMANENT WINS
FIRST ROUND
MEASURE IS RECOMMITTED
Allegation Advanced That the BisI
EmbOdies Scheme to Renelit
Only HiEh-PPiced
Officials.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-The house
spent the day considering the Hopkins
bill to create a permanent census bureau.
While the general sentiment was in favor
of d permanent bureau, there was strong
opposition to the bill as drawn, on the
ground that it was not well matured.
There also was an Overwhelming demand
for provision to place the present en-
p1oyes of the census bureau under the
protection of the civil service law, and
the bill finally was recomInitted, with
instructions to report back a bill contain
ing a plan for a detailed organization OF
a permanent census bureau, to include
also a provision to place the present en-
ployes under the civil service. The fight
to recommit was made under the leader
ship of Mr.. Burkett, of Nebraska the
new member of the appropriations COM
mittee.
bill was passed unanimously to give
Mrs. Mckinley the free mailing privil eye
during the remainder of her life. The
house then adjourned until Monday.
Hopkins Makes a Plea.
Mr.. Hopkins, in support of the BILL ex-
planned that the subject of establishing
a permanent bureau had been agitated for
many years. Gen. Francis A. Walker,
superintendent of the ninth and tenth
censuses, and Mr.. Porter, superintendent
of the eleventh census. was we'll as the
present director, united in strongly rec
ommending it on the ground that it
would not only decrease the cost but in
crease the value of the results.
In reply to questions, he said that 8, $50
clerks had been employed in the bureau,
Zoo still being employed If the pending
bill passed he said, the force would be
reduced this year to 500. next year to
49, In 1905 to 240 and thereafter until
1910 to 200. He was besieged by members
VINO wanted to know the status of the
present clerks, in the event of the pas
sage of the bill. He said that if the bill
passed, it was hoped they could then be
placed under the protection of the civil
service and transferred to other depart
ments. If the bill were promptly passed
the temporary clerks, by executive order
could be made eligible for transfer.
Several members suggested that the
Dill be amended to provide that the clerks
be eligible for transfer.
Burkett Fights the Measure.
Mr.. Burkett (Neb) opposed the LI..
contending that it was improper and in.
opportune and asserting nat the course
of the debate today demonstrated that
the proposed legislation had not beer
we'll matured. He declared that the ONLY
persons who had agitated the subject
VI a pFIHAdI-ell census naQ been the
superintendent of past censuses and 9th.
ers directly interested He said there
was nothing in the bill to keep the CEN
sus clerks in office. 1t was designed tc
keep only the chiefs of division and high
er officers in the present position. He
thought the bill should be recommitted.
Mr.. Hemenway Qnd.) offered ar
amendment to provide that persons now
employed in the census bureau. not in.
Guiding janitors, shall be eligible to an
pointment in other departments without
examination or certifcation by the civil
service commission upon the recommen.
dation of the head of such department
The amendment was adopted without di.
vision.
Mr. Hopkins attempted to secure tn,
ayes and nays on a motion to recommit
but only thirty-eight members seconded
his demand-not a sufficient number. The
motion TO recommit was carried