The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-10-12


deaths as compiled by the state Of
ficers and by the census bureau. at
least with respect to the total num-
Der of deaths reported for each month
in each state, county. and city. Diff
ferences occur at present which are
not creditable to American statistics.
For the purpose of preventing such
differences, monthly shipment check
list. showing the deaths by months
and areas, has been prepared and
will be supplied to each state regis
trar.
He asks transcribers to follow alb
solutely the instructions for copying
and advises to ascertain correctness.
Permanent transcribers are preferred
because Of the skill acquired. Local
registrars should be compelled to make
returns on time. No effective registra-
ton can exist when the central Of
flee permits hardness. The credit of
the state service must suffer, the di-
rector states from needless and in
competent work. and the compensa-
tion paid for the returns Is sufficient
to entitle the government to thor.
oughly reliable transcripts. promptly
transmitted, and containing all of the
statistical data required to be regis
tered under the state law.
To the city registrars the director
suggests they note the instructions to
state registrars. He states that city
registrar should have in his hands the
certificate of every death that occurs.
with absolutely no exception. before
any disposition is made of the body:
hence there should be no occasion for
certificates filed many days after the
close of each month or year. The cor
rections should be obtained before the
burial or removal permit is issued.
No imperfect certificates or unsatis-
should be accepted. When overlooked.
however, they may be corrected read
lily by special blank or telephone, and
city returns should therefore be SUI
Derior in quality and completeness.
Cooperation Needed.
] In conclusion the director states
that with the cordial cooperation of
state and city registration officials,
the value of the mortality statictics
of the United States will be greatly
improved 1t is especially requested
that every effort be made to carry
out faithfully the recommendations
for the remaining months of the pres
ent year. so that the entire returns
for the year 1910 which are especially
important because of the comparisons
possible with the population data of
the thirteenth census, may be In COM
plete agreement for all Of the states
and cities of the United States. Special
circulars of the instructions will be
issued relative to the reporting of oc-
cupations and causes of death. 1t is
hoped that the new standard certifi-
cate, in the approved instructions,
may be adopted by all of the registra-
ton states and cities. so that thor
oughly comparable returns may be in
stituted for the decade beginning
January 1. 1910.
| DR.. Wilbur, who was one of the
American delegates at the second de-
cennial revision. stated today that the
opportunity of starting out with the
use of the revised classification for
the mortality statistics relating to the
actual census. year. is one of the
greatest value. 1t is highly gratifying,
he said, that the wishes of the United
States for the advancement of the
date of the international revision from
1910 to 1909 were acceded to by the
French government and the other
| countries participating.
In accordance with resolution of
the international commission an Of
ficial version of the revised titles is
to be prepared in each language rep
resented. The English translation has
been made by DR.. Wilbur aided by
the other American delegates and by
! Hon. G. w. Knibbs. commonwealth
| statistician of Australia. This will pro-
vide precisely the same tabular list
for all English speaking countries
that have adopted the international
classification.
The active interest of the United
States in the promotion of the inter-
national uniformity was accorded a
very graceful recognition in the be-
international commission upon DIR.
Wilbur. who was called upon to pre-
side over one of the sessions.
The next revision will be called in
1919 and under the auspices of the
French government, unless other pro-
vision is made. DIR. Wilbur said it is
to be hoped. however, in view of the
great advancement of American vital
statistics and the important part this
country has played in the extension
of the international classification. that
the third decennial revision will be
called by the American government to
meet at Washington.
C0M|IY 0F C0IIRIs