The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-20

conrse. undertake 10 protect itself.
he continued, against such obviously
Incompetent enumerators as the sup
ervisors, through political influence
or through oversight. may happen to
choose. At the last census the emu
merators recommended by the super
yisors were all subjected TO test eX-
animation, and the same policy Will
be pursued this time. h5out one-sixth
or 5000, OF the candidates selected
= by the supervisors were rejected as
a result of this test In 1900. IL may
be wise TO make the test at the pres
ent census trf1e more severe than
at the twelfth census. AT best, how
ever, such an examination can do
no more than eliminate those who
cannot write plainly and who are
clearly lacking In an understanding
OF their duties It can do little TO
assure the selection of men Of In
dustry, tact, or honesty. The judg-
ment, efficiency, and integrity OF the
supervisors must be the prime reli-
ance for securing enumerators who
possess these fundamental qualiflca-
tionS.
II hope and believe that tho super
visors at the present census arc on
the whole higher type of men than
those at any preceding census. The
compensation offered to supervisors
is somewhat more than ever before,
but it is not really an adequate re-
muneration for men of the charac-
ter needed. ] believe that very con-
ors who have been appointed are men
xoyh In fhafr a
professions are able to earn much
moro than the supervisors pay, and
who have accepted the positions be
cause OF the honor and responsibility
involved, or from patriotic motives.
There has, however, been no new de-
pnrturc with respect to the general
method of selecting Supervisors. save
only that in large cities. OF most Of
them, selections have largely been
made independently OF political
recommendations.
1T may not be inappropriate here
to explain the reason why So-called
political recommendations must be
sought in the appointment of super
visors In most OF the districts. The
supervisor, in order 10 do his work
properly, must be a resident of the
district over which he has charge The
position is not one which can be filed
by civil service examination. a su.
pervisor should be d man of executive
ability, such as no examination can
test. and be should be man we'll
known In his community. Indeed.
men of the type desired would not in
most instances be willing to submit
themselves TO civil service eXamin.
alton Neither the director OF the
census. his superior officer. the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor, nor the
president, can possibly have personal
acquaintance throughout the country
with men suitable to f1ll these POSI-
tions, nor even with men, outside of
political positions. whose advice they
can seek, The representative OF the
district in congress or the party
leaders In the district have the neces-
isary knowledge of local conditions
and local men, and II is not only ma.
matter Of good administration that
they should be sked TO make recon-
mendations for positions of this char
acter.
Fortunately. members Of congress
and party leaders are coming more
and more to appreciate the import
ance of accurate census statistics. The
Spoils idea of appointments is grow.
ing constantly less dominant The dL
rector Of the census has done every.
thing possible to impress upon those
whose opinions were asked regarding
the supervisorships. the importance OF
the necessity of having men of
marked executive ability and of alb.
solute integrity. The information fur
nished by members of congress and
party leaders regarding the candl
dates whom they nave recommended
has been supplemented by full per
sonal statements required from each
candidate, and In most cases by nu.
merous letters of Endorsement from
business and professional men
In the large cities the administra-
tion Is evidently less dependent than
in the country districts upon members
OF congress and party leaders for in.
formation regarding available mater
ial for such positions as that of SUI.
pervisor of the census. and the pres
ident and the secretary of commerce
and labor have Joined with the direc-
tor OF the census In establishing the
policy of making selections. whenever
the information on which TO act was
available, without depending on the
recommendations OF political lead
ers"