The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-12
REVISED VERSION OF
MORTALITY STATISTICS

Washington. D. c., Oct IL
United States Census Director E.
Dana Durand, today promulgated new
rules and instructions for the purpose
of securing more complete and accuT-
ate 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 basis OF the mortality
statistics prepared by the Division Of
Vital Statistics. under Chief Statist'
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 a
decennial u S. Census. which affords
the population bases for the 1910
death rates. In addition TO this I'M
portant step toward more reliable data
the new revised version of the ClaS5i-
flcation 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 1st next In the
Census registration area. Supplement-
ing these will be the use Of the new
United States standard death certlfi.
Gates which 1t is believed the organ
lied registration officials forming the
vital statistic section OF tho American
Public Health Association will adopt
for the report of deaths commencing
January LIST next. at the Richmond.
Va. meeting, October 1922 next.
In his communication 10 the state
registrars. Director Duraud states
that In their work of cooperation It
Is of the greatest importance that
tween the number of deaths as compil-
cd by the state officers and by the
Census Bureau, al least with respect
to the total number Of deaths reported
for each month in each state, county
and city. Differences occur at pres.
ent which are not creditable to Amer
ican statistics For the purpose OF
preventing such differences. month
H. shipment check list. showing the
deaths by months and areas. has been
prepared and will be supplied TO each
state registrar.
He asks transcribers 10 follow alb
solutely the instructions for copying
and advises tests 10 ascertain correc-
ness. Permanent transcribers are
preferred because of the skill acquir-
ed Local registrars should be com
PEELED to make returns on time No
effective registration can exist when
the central Office permits tardiness-
The credit OF the state service must
suffer, the Director states. from heed
less and incompetent work. and the
compensation paid for the returns is
sufficient TO entitle the government to
thoroughly reliable transcripts.
promptly transmitted, and containing
all Of the statistical data required to
be registered under the state law.
To the city registrars the director
suggests they note the Instructions 10
state registrars. He states that a city
registrar should have In his hands tho
certificate of every death that occurs.
with absolutely no exception. before
any disposition is made OF the body
hence there should he no occasion for
certificates filed many days after the
close Of each month or year. The cor
1ectionS 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 overlooked,
however, they may be corrected read
ily by special blank OF telephone, and
city returns should therefore be SUI
perior in quality and completeness,
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 improv.
ed 1t Is especially requested that ev-
cry effort be made to carry out faith
fully the recommendation for the
remaining months of the present wear
SO that the entire returns for the year
1910, 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. so that thoroughly comparable
returns may be instituted for the
decade beginning January l, 1919,
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 10 tho
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
government and the other countries
participating
In accordance with resolution of
the International Commission an of.
fcial version Of the revised titles is 10
be prepared in each language repre-
sentcd. The English translation has
been mado by Or. Wilbur. aided by
the other American delegates and by
Hon G. w, Knibbs. commonwealth
statistician of Australia This will
provide precisely the same tabular
list for all Engllsh-speaking countries
that have adopted the International
classification.
The active interest of tho United
States In the promotion of interna-
tional uniformity was accorded a very
graceful recognition in the bestowing
Of the vice-presidencv of the lntorua-
tional Commission upon Or. Wilbur,
who was called upon 10 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 It Is
TO be hoped, however. In view of the
great advancement OF American vital
statistics and the important part this
country has played In the extension
Of the International Classification, thar