The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-18
MORTALITY RECORD
WILL Be COMPLETE
Plans Prepared by the u. S.
Census Bureau Are Very
Scientific.
WILL GET RELIABLE DATA
STATE REGISTRARS WILL BE OF
GREATEST BENEFIT TO CENSUS
BUREAU.

Washington. D. c.. Oct. ISL. 5.
Census Director E. Dara Durand. to.
day promulgated new rules and instruc-
tons for the purpose of securing more
complete and accurate transcripts OF
deaths occurring in the selected death
registration states and cities of the
United States. These transcripts are
obtained every month by the Census
Bureau from nearly all of the city and |
state registrars in the census death |
registration area and they form the ba
sis of the mortality statistics prepared
by the division of vital statistics, uE. |
der Chief Statistician, DR.. Cressy L |
Wilbur.
This action is expected to result IN |
the presentation of the most scientific |
and trustworthy mortality statistics
ever compiled in connection with de-
cennial U. S. Census. which affords the
population basis for the 1910 death
rates. In addition to this important
step toward more reliable data. the
new revised version of the classified
ton, will go into effect January Is:
next in the census registration area.
Supplementing these will be the use
of the new United States standard
death certificates which 1t is believed
the organized registration officials
forming the vital statistic section OF
the American Public Health associa.
ton will adopt for the report OF
deaths commencing January LIST next.
at the Richmond. Va. meeting, Octc-
Der 19th-22nd next.
Durand's Communication.
! In his communication to the state
| registrars, Director Durand states that
in their work of cooperation 1t 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 mum e.
Der of deaths reported for each month
in each state, county and city. Differ
ences 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 will be
|
He asks transcribers to follow abso.
lutely the instructions for copying and
advises tests to ascertain correctness
Permanent transcribers are referred
because of the skill acquired. Local
registrars should be compelled to make
returns on time. No effective regis
tration can exist when the central Of
flee permits hardness. The credit OF
the state service must suffer, the d.
rector states. from needless and incom-
petent work, and the compensation
paid for. the returns is sufficient IL
entitle the government to thoroughly
reliable transcripts. promptly trans
mitted, and containing all of the stats
tical data required to be registered un.
der the state law.
To the city registrars the director
) suggests they not the instructions t.
state registrars. He states that city
l registrar should have in his hands tn;
certificate of every death that occurs
with absolutely no exception. before
7 any disposition is made of the body
:. hence there should be no occasion fol
certificates filed many days after tn
2 corrections should be obtained befor:
t the burial or removal permit is issued
No imperfect certificates or unsatisfac
tory statements of cause of dealt
should be accepted. When overlooked
. however. they may be corrected read
a lily by special blank or telephone, ans
. cit returns should therefore be superio
in quality and completeness.
( To Greatly Improve.
In conclusion the director states tina
n with the cordial cooperation of stat
and city registration officials, the va,
e ue of the mortality statistics of tn
y United States I'll be greatly improved
d It is especially requested that ever
f effort be made to carry out faithful
ly the recommendations for the remain
ing months of the present year. SO tina
the entire returns for the year 1915
/ which are especially important becaus
of the comparisons possible with tn
population data Of the thirteenth Ger
sus, may be in complete agreement 70
all of the states and cities of the Unit
4 ed States. Special circulars Of instrut
j.. tions will be issued relative to the re
porting of occupations and causes G
II death. 1t is hoped that the ne,
;? standard certificate, and the approve
8 instructions. may be adopted by all &
the registration states and cities. 9
that thoroughly comparable return
may be instituted for the decade begir
ming January 1, 1910.
y Dr.. Wilbur, who was one OF tn
American delegates at the second de
cennial revision. stated today that tn
:. opportunity of starting out with tn
= use Of the reviser classification for tn
!, mortality statistics relating to the &C
ual census year. is of the greatest va
!" ue 1t is highly gratifying, he sail
, that the wishes of the United States fo
~ ~ ho Aa&o IL Ia Ix