The Washington times., 1909-04-25
DURANO IS SLATED
FOR NORTH'S PLACE
IN CENSUS BUREAU
President Picks Former for
Director Should He Re
move Latter.
OUTSIDE OPPOSITION
is BEING HINTED AT
Claim Is Made That Manipulators
o. Tabulating Machines
Started Trouble.

If President Taft acceded to the
wishes of Secretary Nagle, of the
Department of Commerce and La
Dor, and removes S. n. d. North
as director of the census he will ap-
point in his stead E. Dana Durand,
Assistant Commissioner of Corpora
lions in the Departments of Com
merce and Labor.
II was learned today that the Pres
ident had decided upon the Durand
appointment more than a week ago
after he had asked Secretary Nagle
to look over the available material
in his department.
Action Is Postponed.
While it is the general opinion that
the President has fully made up his
mind to ask for the resignation of Di-
rector North he will not actually take
that step for several days. Several
members OF both houses of Congress
have indicated to the President that
they would like 10 be heard on the sub
Ject and out OF Difference to them he
VIII postpone final action, probably, un-
til the latter part Of next week.
Senator Crane of Massachusetts has
interested himself in North's behalf and
It Is understood that he has asked the
President to give Mr.. North an oppor-
tunfty to be heard.
The champions OF Mr. North claim his
removal at this time viii prove a costly
experiment to the Government. Men,
bers or the House and Senate Commit
tees on Census are satisfied that the
plans for the taking of the thirteenth
census prepared by North are such that
he viii be able to save the Government
at least 81 10000 in the stupendous un-
dertsking
They viii also point out to the Presi-
dent that, however competent Mr.. Du-
rand may be, ne will lind it absolutely
Impossible to become Sufficiently IA
miliar with the Census Bureau 20 be
in a position 20 direct the army of
10000 or $1,000 men who will be in the
field during the collection of the census
in 1910
Outside Opposition Hinted.
An interesting addition to the news
OF the Census Office situation comes
from a prominent member of Congress.
who Is in close touch with census af-
fairs.
Mr.. North has been experimenting
with machinery 10 be used in the tabu-
lation Of the thirteenth census, the
adoption Of which would deprive at
least one private corporation of nearly
100000, based on the rates charged
the Government for the rental Of the
privately owned machines during the
tabulation OF the twelfth census 4
force Of mechanical experts has been
employed at the Census Bureau for the
purpose Of perfecting a machine which
would make it possible for the Govern
ment to do its own work.
This work was undertaken with the
permission OF the Secretary Of Com
merce and Labor. and Congress made
an appropriation for experimenting
purposes. 1t became known today that
one Of these machine companies has
TO Director North. and have made
charges that he was exceeding his
rights when he attempted 70 discard
their machines and install Government
made machines.
BY reason of the expiration of the old
contracts and the practical completion
OK the Government machines, Director
North. u IS understood, has been con-
templating the ousting Of privately
owned machines and installing the ma
chimes on which Government experts
have been at work. and the private
companies are vOicing protest against
this action.