The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-08-17
SUPERVISORS OF
CENSUS NAMED
President Taft Names 1874 More
Men For Thirteenth Census.
THEY MUST ESCHeW POLITICS

Beyond Casting Their Ballots. Ap-
Polntees Must Keep Strictly 10 Cen
sus Work. As Any Political Activity
on Their Part viii Be Cause FOR
immediate Dismissal
Beverly. Mass. Aug ls.-In a letter
addressed 10 Secretary Nagel Of the
department OF commerce and labor
President Taft served notice that any
man engaged in the taking OF the thir-
teenth census OF the United States
who engages In politics in any way
will Immediately be dismissed from
the service Outside OF casting their
votes the president believes that cen
sus supervisors and enumeratorS
should keep clear Of anything that
savors Of politics national. state OF
local
Mr. Taft SAYS that in appointing cen
sus supervisors il has been found
necessary 10 select men recommended
by senators and congressman in their
districts. He SAYS he realizes that
this method OF selection night easily
be perverted to political purposes.
and 81 IS 20 take the census out OF
politics. 50 far as the actual work is
concerned. that he has explicitly ex-
pressed his desires as 70 the regula-
tons
President Taft has told the repre-
sentatives and senators who have
urged various men for census places
that he would insist that no active
partisan should be named and that no
attempt should be made to build up
political machine in any state or dis
trict through the distribution OF the
census patronage The presidents let
ter IN part follows.
Mr.. Dear Mr Secretary-The tax
ing OF the census involves the appoint
ment OF some three hundred supervis-
ors. who. in turn are TO appoint many
times that number Of enumerators
The supervisors are given complete
discretion in the selection OF enurn-
orators respectively TO act under
them. The success OF the census will
depend upon the efficiency and strict
attention 20 duty OF the supervisors.
and upon the intelligence OF the enum-
orators and their faithful application
10 the business in hand
Generally there is a supervisor for
each congressional district. Il has
been found 10 be the quickest and best
means OF selecting suitable superyis
ors TO consult the congressman and
senators as 20 competent candidates
from their respective districts and
states.
This system can easily be per
verified 10 political purposes II the SUI
pervisors ara not forbidden 10 use Il
as an instrument for influencing local
and general elections and primaries
In the interest ~ particular candidates
OF parties. II Is not an unreasonable
requirement that anyone who accepts
an appointment as supervisor or as
enumerator shall during the term or
his employment and service. avoid an
active part In politics
Il therefore order that In the prep
sration OF regulations for the taking
OF the census. you ana the director OF
the census embOdy therein a provIs
ION that any supervisor or enumera-
tor who uses his influence with his
subordinates or colleagues to assist
-A@- A'aAA - ~ any AaAANAAAAG IN Il pr
mary OF general election. or who takes
any part. other than merely casting
his vote. In politics. national state. OF
local. either by service upon a p0liti-
cal committee by public addresses.
by the solicitation OF votes. OF other
wise. shall az once be dismissed from
the service"
One hundred and thirty-four add
uonal supervisors OF the census were
announced. President Taft has been
kept busy signing the commits
siOns OF the successful candidates
Altogether. ls4 of the $50 supervisors
now have been commissioned. and Mr..
Taft's task is a little more than half
completed. Practically all OF the ap-
pointmen;s have been agreed upon.
but some are being held up temper
arily on account Of protests.