Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09
Secretary Wilson's Order Re-
garding Crop Statistics.
SHEETS TO BE DIVIDED
SEALS ON COTTON REPORTS TO
REMAIN UNBRoKEN.
Numerous Precautions to Be Taken to
Render Impossible Premature Know
ledge of the Figures.

The following order has been Issued by
Secretary Wilson. covering the preparation
of monthly crop reports of the bureau of
statistics:
United States Department of Agriculture
Office of the Secretary,
WASHINGTON, d c., July s, 1905.
IT Is hereby ordered that the following
methods be used hereafter in the bureau of
statistics of the department In the han
ding, compilation and preparation of
monthly crop reports:
First. The following classes of cor
respondents send their reports to the bu-
reau of statistics for tabulation: County
correspondents, township correspondents.
individual farmers. cotton ginners, special
cotton correspondents.
The schedules sent in by the above-na
correspondents are tabulated In the division
OF domestic crop reports
In order to prevent the possibility of COL
fusion among any of the clerks engaged in
TINS taoulation, or of any individual clerk
drawing deductions from the results shown
TOT any state or states tabulated by him
(which they, or he, might be tempted to
disclose improperly, the following method
must be employed in dealing with states of
relatively large production
(a) After the schedules have been tabulat-
ed on the sheets for the respective states
the figures thereon shall be added for each
crop represented, to show a total for
only a portion of the state emitting a
group of counties at the bottom of the
sheet; as rapidly as such partial totals are
made the sheets must be handed TO the
chief OF the division
OBJ The chief of the division will then
number the tabulation sheets at the top
(where the names of the states to which
they relate are WRITTEN and at the foot
twhere there is nothing to indicate the
states to which they relate) using the same
number at both the top and the foot of
each sheet. He will place these numbers
on separate sheet kept on his desk-with-
out making any memorandum 10 show the
states to which they pertain but, for the
purpose of avoiding the of the same
number on sheets relating to different
states.
Sheets to Be Cut in Two.
(c) The chief of the division will then,
personally. cut the tabulation sheets in
two parts, so that the partial total will be
at the top of the lower part and so that
no names of counties will appear there
(d) He Will Immediately deliver the upper
part, upon which the name of the state
is written. TO the statisticfan.
(e) The chief OF the division will then is
sue the lower parts of the tabulation sheets
10 clerks. In other rooms from those in
which they were tabulated and partially
added, who will make the final additions
and compute the averages thereon AS
rapidly as they are completed by the clerks
the chief OF the division will deliver them
to the statistician who will be able to as
sign the figures to their proper states by
means of the numbers placed on the top
and on the bottom of the sheets before
they were cut in two.
% The tabulation of county and town.
ship correspondents schedules relating to
cotton In Texas and Georgia shall be de-
hvered by the chief of the division as
soon COmpleted the Secretary a O.
sistant secretary of agriculture dnstead
of to the statistician), who will keep said
sheets in a locked receptacle until the
morning of the day on which the cotton re-
port is issued. when they will be delivered
to the statistician by the Secretary or as
sistant secretary.
I'd. The report of state statistical agents
are handled only by the statistician and
his associate
To Be Sent to the Secretary.
In order to prevent access to such of
these reports as relate to speculative crops
by any person connected with the bureau
of statistics prior to the day on which
the bureaus report to which they relate is
issued. the possibility of premature in
formation being derived from them, they
will be addressed to the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, the address to be written with
red ink and the letter "a" to be plainly
marked on the ends of the envelopes in
which they are transmitted. The letters
thus addressed Will be delivered by the
postal authorities to the Secretary of Ag-
ricuiture assistant secretary, in sealed
mail pouches. These pouches will be
opened only by the Secretary or assistant
secretary, who will place their contents in
a safe, with seals unbroken, where they
will remain. sealed. until the time arrives
for their use in preparing the crop esti-
mates.
(a) In regard to cotton-These reports.
of the state statistical agents, shall not
be removed from the safe and their seals
broken until the morning of the day on
which the report on cotton Is issued, when
they will be delivered to the statistician by
the Secretary assistant secretary.
(b) In regard to other crops reports upon
several of which are made each month by
the state statistical agents).-Agents shall
be instructed to inclose their reports relat-
ing to what are known as speculative crops
(such as wheat, corn or OATS in separate
envelopes from their reports on other (non-
speculative crops. plainly marking the
first envelopes "a and the others b
The envelopes marked "A" containing
reports on speculative crop9 shall be
placed with their seals unbroken. in the
safe and there remain Until the morning of
the day on which the report of the bureau
Is issued, when they will be delivered by
the Secretary, or assistant secretary, to the
statstician. The envelopes marked "B'
Containing reports on nOn-speculative
crops), which will be addressed 10 the Blu
reau OF Statistics can be opened when re-
ceived and the data they contain used by
the statistician In computing estimates re-
garding the crops to which they relate. in
advance of the day on which the bureaus
report Is Issued
Safe Combination Secret.
(c) The combination for opening the safe,
In which the above documents are kept,
shall be known only TO the Secretary or as
sistant secretary of agriculture.
Third. Reports OF special field agents
must be made and handled in the same
manner as those OF state statistical agents.
Fourth. On the day on which the report
o. the bureau is issued. the statistican's
room. IN which he establishes his final fig
ures must be kept locked, and no one not