Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-04
Replies to Mr.. Chas. F Wei
ler's Statement.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
MAI. SYLVESTER UPHoLDs THE
POLICE REPORT.
West Believes Figures
Were Honestly and Carefully
Compiled-Data in Case.

of Mr.. Charles F. Weller secretary Of the
Associated Charities. that the figures OBJ
tanned by the police In taking the recent
District census are incorrect as regards the
number of children who are habitually alb
sent from school. Maj. Sylvester. superin-
tendent Of police. upholds the work of his
force against the criticism of Mr. Weller
the latter having said that careful study
of the ehlldrens school records had not
been. made, and the answers given by
parents could not be relied upon. Maj. Syl-
vester said he did not believe the figures
were 800 out of the way. as Mr.. Weller
claimed.
Commissioner West this morning received
the letter from Mr.. Weller and replied in a
brief note. simply stating that the matter
has been referred to the major and super
intendent of police for report
Il shall not engage in any controversy
with Mr. Weller" said Commissioner West
today. Il believe that the police census
was honest and carefully made, and that
the police officers did their duty to the ut
most
Il am all the more convinced because of
the facts made apparent by comparison of
the figures of former years with those of
the recent census. For instance. in June,
1892 the police census showed IL sT2 chill
dren between six and eighteen years out of
school. of which 6,1S1 were white and 5.6S5
were COlOfeu. IN April, 1877 tnve years
later, this number had been reduced to
4.S2S of which 1867 were white and 2,66l
were colored.
There was no question at that time of
the inaccuracy of the figures. In the eight
years which have interviewed since the last
census there has been unquestionably
very large addition to the school popula-
ton, one factor at least being the stea-y
increase in the number or school buildings
provided each year by Congress.
"hof tho Darorf
THE census this year included children
between seven and fifteen years, instead of
between six and eighteen.
THE range of years being narrower than
was the case In the census of 1897, it nat
urally follows that there would be a de-
crease shown in the number of children out
of school, and, taking this fact into consid-
Grafton and noting that between 1892 and
1897 there was a decrease of 1880 in the
number of children out of school, 1t would
seem as If the figures of the present census
were not so grossly inaccurate Mr..
Weller attempts to prove. Maj. Sylvester.
assures me that, in view of the agitation
for compulsory education law and for Il
curfew law. the police were particularly
careful In gathering the statistics of chill
dren out of school
Personally. glad that the figures of
the three enumerations made by the police
ceEsus since 1892 show such a steady de-
crease in the number of children out of
school, fact which reflects to the credit
OF Washington" -s
Investigation at the District building re-
vealed the fact that the police census was.
In very large measure, due to Mr. Weller's
public charges regarding the unhealthfui-
ness of the city. In suggesting the police
census Commissioner mcfarland said:
THE advantages to be derived from an
annual enumeration of this kind likely
to be valuable in different ways. Primarily,
such an annual enumeration will give a
more accurate basis for vital statistics than
be provided by calculations from year
to year upon the returns of the federal
decennial census. l believe that the high
death rate attributed to the District of CO.
iumbfa in some quarters, to the very great
practical detrinnent Of the national capital.
is due to an inadequate estimate of the
number of people in the District of Column
bia and that as a matter of fact our death
rate is lower, rather than higher. than else
where.
Again. there is no satisfactory return of
our child population. especially those of
school age, and 1t is very desirable that
we should have the actual facts in regard
to this claim for consideration In connec-
ton with our school problems.
Mr.. Macfarland's Basis.
Commissioner Macfarlands reference to
the accurate basis for vital statistics was
DUE 1t is said. to the fact that Mr.. Weller
has frequently delivered a lecture with
stereopticon accompaniment, in which the
health conditions of Washington is de-
scribed in alarming terms. an enormous
death rate being charged, especially
against consumption and typhoid fever.
In addition to this the Associated Chart
ties through Mr.. Weller. has issued a
circular containing the following state
ment:
"Washington's general death rate highest
among our forty largest cities"
Washingtons consumption death rate
third highest-exceeded only by Los Ange-
les and Denver"
colored and 1s3 out of every 1000 white die
before one year Old"
Mr.. Weller's statements in his public lee
lures, well as the assertion made in his
circular, attracted the attention of the
Commissioners. and some months ago Dr.
Woodward, the health officer. called upon
Mr.. Weller to furnish the authority upon
which the above assertions were made. Mr..
Weller replied that he had obtained his
figures from the bureau of labor and the
local health reports, in response to which
DR.. Woodward stated that the data used
by Mr.. Weller was by no means accurate,
besides which he called attention to the
fact that Mr.. Weller had not literally
quoted the health reports. zoo
DR.. Woodward's Report.
The language used in his report by DIR.
Woodward was as follows:
UNLESS the returns of the federal census
of 1900 are incorrect which, as suggested
before. seems probable, approximately 457
out Of every 1000 colored children recently
born in this District died before completing
their first year of nfe." TO this letter Mr..
Weller replied, admitting that he had not
made a literal quotation and stating that
he was unable 80 use the entire quotation,
it being his desire to make what he called
"a brief, striking statement
He then stated that he would devote quite
a little time this summer to the careful
analysis of all the statistics available con-
corning the death rates in Washington"
This letter. which was written last April,
concludes the correspondence. Up to the
present time Mr. Weller has brought to
the attention of the health department no
further explanation of his charge as to the
unhealthfulness of the city.
1t with the hope, 1t Is said. of re-
lieving the District of Columbia from the
stigma cast upon it by Mr. Weller that the
police were directed to make the census.
and 1t was agreed that "the questions to
be asked by the police enumerators should
be, as heretofore, few and simple, in order
to save time and prevent confusion and Sc
cure accuracy
The census of the entire population. show
ing $4,000. was accepted by the Commits
cin &c - 10 L. frsA hnt