Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-02

be avoided IN 1910. For tho rental OF tab
ulating machines used in the last census
the government expended over s5rn,oNn.
by authority of Congress the census
Office now manufactures it's own tabu-
latng machines. Mr.. North says this
machinery will be more rapid and ac-
curate tran that previously employed
He estimates that by this and othc.'
methods Of economy incident to the es-
Establishment OF permanent office. there
vii, no saving sufficient 10 equal the
additional cost of cnumerating % 900. 90
more people than were counted in III,
l2th census.
THE ARMY or EMPLOYEES.
There are row 625 clerks employed in
the census office. About 800 clerks will
he required for the thirteenth census. II
Is proposed also that there shall be "a. D10
enumerato-s instead of 5000. the number
employed In 1900. This increase in tho
number of enumerators is made neccs-
sarY by the desire OF the census officials
10 complete the work of enumeration in a
shorter period than heretofore To this
end the enumeration districts will he re-
duccd from 1000 to 200 population. In all
cities over 500 inhabitants the enumer-
ton is 10 be completed within two weeks
after April 70.
In 1900 there WAS a grand scramble for
census patronage. Each Senator and Rep
resenta tive was permitted TO nominate
limited number Of clerks. The nominees
We're then submitted 10 a sort Of nom
! competitive examination which was con-
Quoted by tho officials Of the census office.
If the nominee proved utterly unsuitable
he was not given an appointment, hut II
there seemed to be doubt as TO his quail
fcations. political influence had ma
teral bearing on his retention or dis
missa
The plum-huntcrs of Congress are not
expected to look with favor upon the plan
proposed by the director for recruiting his
force to temporary clerks for the next
| census. The bill STIMULATES that such ad-
diional clerks may be required shall
he subject to such n-compcttive exam
| ination as the director of the census. in
cooperation with the civll service COM
mission. may prescribe, the examinations
| to be held Under the direction OF the
commission.
1t Is provided also that the selections
of apportionmont or the political anita
lions Of tho applicants, and that prefer
ence may be given TO the persons having
previous experience In census work whose
efficiency records are satisfactory 10 the
director. who may in his direction. ac-
cept such records IN lieu of examination.
1t is further provided that employees in
other branches OF the departmental ser
had f,,
census work may be transferred to the
census office, to serve during the whole
or a part of the dccenniai census period.
and at the end of such service the en-
poyees so transferred shall be eligible to
appointment. to positions of similar grade
| in any depart ment without examination.
no provision Is made for testing the
ability OF the enumerators They are to
be nominated by the various supervisors
of census and appointed by the director.
COMPILATION OF STATISTICS.
Mr.. North says that he thinks il will be
possible to compile tho statistics Of pop
| ula,ion In three or four months after the
close of enumeration. 1t is customary 10
| send rough count Of population to Con-
gross for appointment purposes on the
| Of enumeration, 1t is the belief Of the d.
| rector that =, the rough count 10 be so
submitted following the enumeration Of
April 10, 1910. II will he possible 10 show
! nativity. sex. and color.
| 1t is estimated that an additional apprO-
| priation OF 5000. 900 will he required IL it
| Is desired that "A census of Porto Rico and
| the Philippines shall be taken in connec-
| ton with the enumera ton in the States.
| The thirteenth census will be restrict
ed to inquiries relating to population, az
| riculture, manufactures, and mines and
| quarries 1t IL provided N the bill that
| there shall be a census OF agriculture in
| 1916, and once every ten years thereafter,
| which shall show the acreage OF the prin-
| cipal crops. and the number and value OF
domestic animals on the farms and ranges
OF the country.
It Is proposed that In 1911 a sum not to
| exceed $50,0 COO shall be expended to as
| certain the feasibility of securing infor-
| nation required for making comparisons
| between the number Of domestic animals
| and the acreage Of the principal crops
| on the same farms in succeeding years.
| the returns on which the compa risons are
| based to include for any county at least
70 per cent of the acreage in such county.
|
MEETING OF THE VI. VI. l.. !. &. CLUB