Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-03
HOUSE EXTENDS
CENSUS SCOPE
Letter Written by Grove of Missouri
is Subject of Much Debate.
Writer Criticises Repub-
lican Party
ASSOCIATED Pressl

WASHINGTON, Feb. "A lively
political debate occupied nearly the en-
tire time of the house today in the
consideration of a bill to amend the
census law so as to provide an enum-
GRAFTON of animals slaughtered in coun-
try butchering establishments, and of
hides produced in such establishments,
Mr.. Crumpacler of Indiana explained
that this amendment was to give ac-
curate information on a subject on
which there had been much political
speculation,
With this amendment. and others
providing for enumeration of lands
under irrigation, and in relation to ir-
rigation projects, the bill was passed.
Reading a letter said to have been
written by Representative Grove of
Missouri, telling one of his constituents
that if he should receive an appoint
ment as census ennumerator he would
have to ascertain the relative strength
of the insurgents" and regular Repub-
licans, Representative Robinson of
Arkansas attacked the census bill The
letter was in the form of u newspaper
clipping and contained the statement
that the work the census enumeratorS
would have to do would be such as
"any enthusiastic Republican would be
glad to do
Still reading from the letter, Mr.
Robinson quoted a statement to the
effect that the writer wanted to know
whether the voters were insurgents
or regulars, and whether their disaf-
fection was great enough to take them
out of the party altogether.
Explains Position
Representative Bartholdt of Missouri
calling attention to the absence of his
colleague, Mr.. Grove, said Mr.. Grove
evidently spoke for himself only, and
in no way spoke for the appointing
power of the census.
"The director of the census would
authorize no man to give such infor-
nation" said Nr. Bartholdt. He
wrote that letter without authority.
He merely exceeded his authority in
representing the administration
Mr.. Booher of Missouri said he
would offer an amendment to the
pending bill imposing fine of $1,000 or
imprisonment for a year upon any
census employe who should ask any
person any question relating to his
politics.
Does the gentleman think the sec
retary of commerce and labor was in
any way responsible for these state
ments by Mr.. Grower" inquired Mr..
Gardner of Massachusetts, addressing
Mr. Booher.
IT have resolution to be voted on
to inquire of the secretary whether that
is the case" responded Mr.. Booher.
In an extended speech Mr.. Sims of
Tennessee declared that if non-par-
tisan census We're desired the admin
stration would appoint Republicans
and Democrats to do the work of the
census.
Charging that rule of the census
provides that in the south negroes
should be appointed to enumerate ne
groes, Mr. Hardwick of Georgia de-
clared it was being done to rally the
negro vote and to rally negro dele
gates in the national convention of the
Republican party"
While Representative Keifer of Ohio
was speaking of the bipartisan
character of the census takers" Rep
resentative Heflin Of Alabama inter
rupted to ask whether he would APP
point negroes to enumerate the white
people of the south, if he could do So.
IF they were as well qualified as
the whites, I would" replied Mr.
Keifer.
1.-THE president asked me to suggest
some good man for supervisor of the
census in place of a supervisor who
died" said Mr.. Hamlin of Missouri
But he insisted that he must be a
Republican, and / told him / had nc
advice to give