Evening journal., 1909-10-12
MORTALITY
STATISTICS
Revised Version Of This Cas-
SifiCatiOn of Census to 90
Into Effect

WASHINGTON. d. c., oct. 12.-U. S.
Census Director, L. Dana Durand, to-day
promulgated new rules and instructions
for the purpose Of securing more complete
and accurate transcripts of deaths occur
ing in the selected death registration
states and cities OF the United States.
These transcripts are obtained every
month by the Census Bureau from near
ly all OF the city and state registrars in
the Census death registration area and
they form the basis Of the mortality sta
tistics prepared by the Division of Vital
Statistics, under Chief Statistician, DR..
Cressy L. Wilbur.
This action is expected to result in the
presentation OF the most scientific and
trustworthy mortality statistics ever COM
piled in connection with decennial L. 5.
Census, which affords the population
bases for the 1910 death rates. In addition
to this important step toward more reh-
able data, the new revised version OF the
Classification OF the Causes OF Death. as
adopted at the Paris conference for the
second decennial revision of the Interna-
tional Classification, will go into effect
January 1st next in the Census reglstra-
ton area. supplementing these win be the
use of the new United States standard
death certificates which it is believed the
organized registration officials forming
the vital statistic section of the American
Public Health Association will adopt for
the report Of deaths commencing January
LIST next at the Richmond, Va, meeting,
October 18th, 22nd next.
In his communication to the state regis
trars. Director Durand states that in their
work Of cooperation it is OF the greatest
Importance that there should be exact
agreement between the number Of deaths
as compiled by the state officers and by
the Census Bureau, at least with respect
to the total number Of deaths reported for
/ each month in each state. county. and
city. Differences occur at present which
are not creditable to American statistics
For the purpose of preventing such differ.
ences. a monthly shipment check list
showing the deaths by months and areas
] has been prepared and win be supplied tc
/ each state registrar.
lie asks transcribers to follow absolute
ly the instructions for copying and ad
vises tests to ascertain correctness. Per
manent transcribers are preferred becaus,
Of the skill acquired Local REGISTRAR
should be compelled to make returns OF
time No effective registration can exis
when the central office permits tardiness
The credit Of the state service must suf
fer. the director states. from needless an,
incompetent work. and the compensation
paid for the returns is sufficient to entitl
the. Government TO thoroughly reliabl
transcripts promptly transmitted, an,
containing all of the statistical data re
qulred TO be registered under the stat
law.
To the city registrars the director sug
gests they note the instructions to stat
registrars. He states that city reg 'stra
should have in his hands the certlficat
of every death that occurs, with absolute
~ no exception. before any disposition 3
made of the body; hence there shou b
no occasion for certificates filed man.
days after the close Of each month o
year. The corrections should be obtaine
before the burial or removal permit /
issued. No imperfect certificates or un
satisfactory statements OF cause OF dealt
should be accepted. When overlooked
however, they may be corrected readil