Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-05
Some Things You Want to Know
The Thirteenth oensus-sOme Probable Results

the present decade had continued I'M
checked to the end Of the period. we
would find ourselves a nation with an az
gregate wealth Of more than $40 900, 900, 900.
The Increase probably received a notable
check in the panic Of 1907, and SIPS, 900. 900. 900
may more nearly approximate the grand
total OF all our wealth in 1910. This is ap-
p~roximately double the wealth Of the next
richest nation in Christendom.
In manufactures, II the rate OF progress
that was shown between 1900 and 1906
should be continued to the end OF the de-
cade, the results ought to show an annual
output valued at about s1s,5OO, 100000. Wages
paid in manufacturing industries ought to
amount to nearly 1900 100000 a year.
A highly interesting test Of the accuracy
Of the estimates Of the Department Of
Agriculture will be made in the analysis
Of the statistics Of the farm. The depart
ment makes annual estimates Of the pro-
ductlon OF all the important crops and Of
the number Of farm animals in the country.
The figures are based on estimates made
by crop correspondents Of the percentages
above and below normal a given
year will show. The census figures
will be based on actual returns from
every farm, and Secretary Wilson will
have the opportunity to prove that his
estimating bureau knows it's business. His
crop and stock figures for 1910 will be on
hand first, and the world will have a
chance to know just how we'll he has
guessed. Those who are cognizant Of the
methods pursued by the Department Of
Agriculture in estimating crop yields and
crop acreage are aware that these esti-
mates cannot be as accurate as the actual
farm to farm inquiries Of paid enumerators.
II is probable that the returns will over
state rather than understate the population
Of the country, even though there is not
a single instance Of padding them. Most
Of this will occur In the cities. For in
stance, when an enumerator visits a house
where a servant is employed, 1t is not i'm
probable that the servants name will be
included in the returns for that household.
In another section of the city another
enumerator may be enumerating the family
OF that same servant, and thus the servant
is counted twice in the final summing up.
Extraordinary efforts will be made to
make the manufacturing statistics reveal
the true conditions Of manufacturing. For
instance, In the matter of canned corn, the
major portion of the value of the product
is the corn that enters into 1t. The actual
value added by the canning factory is a
very small portion of the gross value of
the product. 1t is possible to arrive at
the actual significance of the corn-can-
ming industry only by showing the differ
ence between the cost OF the materials and
the value of the product. AS the census Of
flee goes further in its Investigations It is
gradually eliminating the duplication
caused by counting the product of the fac
tory twice. The automobile industry is
another remarkable Instance of how values
may be duplicated. One factory makes the
tires and reports their value to the census.
Even that value may have been reported
in part by the factory which made the
coarse goods on which the rubber is
moulded. Another factory makes the
leather for the cushions. The steel and
iron mills and foundries make the steel
and iron and reckons 1t in the value of
their output. Another factory makes the
glass, and another the woodwork, and an
other the paint. Each makes q report Of
the value of its output. After each item
has been counted in. Thea gross. operations !
of one, two, or even three other Industries
they are all carried over 10 the automobile
industry ana counted again IN the value
of the output there. From this It will be
seen that the only way to find the net re-
suits of manufacture is to deduct the cost
of the materials as they come to each fac
tory that has a part in the production of
the finished article. The thirteenth census
will look more carefully into this than any
Of its predecessors.
On the whole, it is freely predicted that
the great national snapshot Of April Is.
1910, will show a picture that will crafty
every one of the 80, 100000 patriotic hearts in
this land Of the free. 1t probably will show
a higher degree of mental, moral and
physical well being than any other census.
1t will tell a tale of progress that will be
justification for pride upon the part OF
every American citizen.
BY Frederic j. HaEkin.
Tomorrow-The Thirteenth Census.
V-HiHtory OF Census Making.