Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-14
PREPARING FOR
CENSUS OF 1910
MORTALITY STATISTICS SAID
TO BE OF GREAT VALUE
EXACTNESS AND UNIFORMITY
DESIRED ABOVE ALL
E. Dana Durand Explains How United
States Has at Last Been Cause
of Adoption of Uniform
Reports
Especial to The Herald.l


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 basis of the mortality
statistics prepared by the division of
vital statistics under Chief Statisti-
clan 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
decennial United States census, which
affords the population bases for the
1910 death rates. In addition to this
important step toward more reliable
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 international classification, will go
into effect January l next in the CEN
sus registration area. Supplementing
these will be the use of the new
United States standard death certiti-
Gates which it is believed the organ
lied registration officials forming the
vital statistic section of the American
Public Health association will adopt
for the report of deaths commencing
January l next at the Richmond, Va,
meeting October 10 to % next.
Data Must Be Exact
In his communication to the state
registrars, 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 pre-
venting such differences a monthly
shipment check list, showing the
deaths by months and areas has been
prepared and will be supplied to each
state registrar.
He asks transcribers to follow abso-
lutely the instructions for copying and
advises tests to ascertain correctness.
Permanent transcribers are preferred
because of the skill acquired. Local
registrars should be compelled to
make returns on time. No effective
registration can exist when the GEN.
tral office permits tardiness. The
credit of the state service must suffer,
the director states, from needless and
incompetent work. and the compensa-
to entitle the government to thor
oughly reliable transcripts, promptly
transmitted and containing all of the
statistical data required to be regis
tered under the state law.
Suggestions for Registrars
To the city registrars, the director
suggests they note the instructions to
state registrars. He states that a city
registrar should have in his hands the
certificate of every death that occurs,
with absolutely no exception, before
any disposition is made of the body;
hence there should be no occasion for
certificates filed many days after the
close of each month or year. The
correctness should be obtained before
the burial or removal permit is issued.
No imperfect certificates or unsatis-
factory statements of cause of death
should be accepted. When over
looked, however, they may be cor
rected readily by special blank or tel
ephone, and city returns should there
fore be superior in quality and COM
pleteness.
In conclusion the director states
that with the cordial cooperation of
state and city registration officials the
value of the mortality statistics of the
United States will be greatly improved.
It is especially requested that every
effort be made to carry out faithfully
the recommendations for the remain
Ing months of the present year, so
that the entire returns for the year
1870 which are especially important
because of the comparisons possible
with the population data of the thir-
teenth census, may be in complete
agreement for all of the states and
cities of the United States. Special
circulars of instructions will be issued
e. Inn Of
tions and causes of death. 1t is hoped
that the new standard certificate and
the approved instructions may be
adopted by all of the registration
states and cities, so that thoroughly
comparable returns may be instituted
for the decade beginning. January l,
1910
Is of Great Value
DR.. Wilbur, who was one of the
American delegates at the second de-
cennial revision, stated today that the
opportunity of starting out with the
use of the revised classification for the
mortality statistics relating to the
actual census year is of the greatest
value. 1t is highly gratifying, he said,
that the wishes of the United States
for the advancement of the date of
the international revision from 1910 to
1909 were acceded to by the French
participating.
In accordance with a resolution of
the international commission, an Off
cial version of the revised titles is to
be prepared in each language repre-
sented. The English translation has
been made by DR.. Wilbur, aided by the
other American delegates and by Hon.
G.. W. Knibbs, commonwealth statis-
tician of Australia. This will provide
precisely the same tabular list for all
English speaking countries that have
adopted the international classifica-
tion.
The active interest of the United
States in the promotion of interna-
tional uniformity was accorded very
graceful recognition in the bestowing
of the vice presidency of the interna-
tional commission upon DIR. Wilbur
who was called upon to preside over
one of the sessions.
The next revision will be called in
1919 and under the auspices of the
French government, unless other pro-
vision is made. DR.. Wilbur said 1t is
hoped, however, in view of the great
advancement of American vital sta
tistics and the important part this
country has played in the extension
of the international classification that
the third decennial revision will be
called by the American government to
meet at Washington.
Tand on the west coast Of Mexico, Sonora,