The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-01-31
COMM. WARNER REPLIES.
Answers Criticisms of News and
Observers Greensboro Cores
pOndent Concerning Report
ed Conditions In GuiIford
County.

Referring to the objection OF the
News and Observers Greensboro cor
respondent, in recent communication,
to reported conditions of Guilford coun-
ty along certain lines. appearing in the
department report for 1906. Commis-
sioner Warner, of the Bureau of Laber
and Printing, said yesterday.
"The matter complained of refers di-
rectly and exclusively to the condition
of farmers in chapter one of our report
and the conclusions were reached by
reference to reports sent in by the farm
ers themselves. Our tabulations are
made from blanks prepared for the pur-
pose of ascertaning the condition of the
laboring classes who work on the farm,
and contain questions regarding their
moral, educational and financial stand
ing. These blanks are sent out to list
Of farmers in each county, selected by
the chairman of the two political par
ties, who fill them out and return to the
department. with the information re-
quested correctly stated as we presume
The results arrived az represent the
opinion of a majority of the farmers ad-
dressed in the county from which they
report and the personal opinion OF the
commissioner does not enter into the
calculations at all. For instances: II
FIVE farmers report from certain coun-
ty and three of them say the value of
land has decreased, that county is en-
tered In the report as showing decrease
in the value of land. The same basis is
observed in arriving at the other re-
suits of the table, and it is doing the de-
partment and injustice to hold it res
pOnsible for the views of COrrespon-
dents. Reports from the farmers of
each county are on file in the depart
ment of statistics in this Office and may
DO seen by any one who doubts the ac-
curacy of the matter set forth in the
published report, or feels aggrieved be-
cause the showing of his county is not
what he thinks it ought to be-"
ut is not the purpose of the depart
ment to do any county an injustice.
Naturally, favorable reports are always
preferable, but it is not within the pro
vince of this department. to do other
than gather and compile statistics and,
as have already said the private opin-
Ion OF neither the commissioner or his
assistants has anything to do with the
results obtained from an inspection of
Inc reports sent in by the people them
selYes. have so far refrained from
making public explanation concern
ing the objections made by the Guilford
people, because do not care to make
possible any reason or excuse for re-
hectlng upon the opinion of our farmer
friends in that county, who doubtless
gave the information requested in good
faith and to the best of their knowledge
and belief. | explained the matter to
your correspondent and also to a numb
er of other reputable gentlemen in
Greensboro and High Point, when on a
personal visit to those places last fall,
and must confess surprise at the recent
insinuation that the commissioner of Ia
Dor and printing has done the county of
Guilford an injustice and persistently
refuses to make correction. All of those
good people who know me are fully
aware that have only the kindest
feeling for their county and her entire
citizenship. And while / have
personally explained this item of last
years report to every one who mention
ed the matter to me, | have deemed it
advisable to disregard the criticisms of
Knockers" whose motives were doubt
less more political or personal, than pat
riotic. News and observer.