Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-23
Census Bureau Gathering Intor-
nation With Regard to Sub
ject in United States.
GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL
Comprehensive Investigation Being
Carried on Which VIII bc of
Much Benefit.

Washington u, c, July O.-,The opln-
ions OF government and state officials,
corporations. and persons expertly in
formed on the subject OF irrigation Ia
the United states will be obtained by
Census Director Durand with reference
20 the number and nature OF the ques-
lions In the schedules OF inquiry. and
to tho character OF the printed instruc-
lions for the use OF special agents,
which have been tentatively prepared
Tor the census bureaus impending lr-
rigatlon investigation.
By the act approved Feb e, last,
amending the act providing Tor the TAX
ing OF the thirteenth census, Congress
required the director of the census to
make special detailed investigation or
the subject OF irrigation in the United
states The act provides that the in
formation shall show the area lrrigat-
cd In the arid regions Of the unitei
states: whether such work Is carried
on under federal or state laws; the
prices at which irrigated lands, includ-
ing water rights. are obtainable, the
character and value OF crops produced
on irrigated lands; the amount OF
water used per acre; and the location
of the various irrigation enterprises, to-
gether with a description or their
methods OF construction, their physical
conditions. the amount OF capital IN
vested. and the Ike.
NINE DIFFERENT SEIZED ULES.
In order TO secure the Information 80
specifically called for by Congress, the
census bureau. In taking the agricul-
tural census. the field work OF which
has lust been completed, made use OF
special or supplemental irrigation
schedule 10 be filled In by the enumor-
ators for every farm having irrigation
In the arid regions OF the United
state. This special schedule, however,
secured only small part OF the IN
formation needed in order TO prepare
the full report required by Congress. TO
supplement II, the bureau OF census has
prepared drafts OF nine different sched-
ules. the information on which VIII be
collected by special agents of the bu-
reau in the case OF irrigation enter
prises carried on as governmental, com
nerCial or cooperative undertakings,
and by means of correspondence In the
case OF irrigation practised by mol
vidual farmers for their own farms. IN
his letter to the experts mentioned, the
director says:
before definitely adopting the sched-
ules. drafts Of which have been pre-
pared the bureau desires to secure the
oplnlons OF persons like yourself who
have given special attention to irriga-
ton matters / am therefore inclosing
with this letter a copy OF the supple
mental irrigation schedule made use OF
by enumerators I'm taking the general
census OF agriculture, copies Of the
proof Of the other schedules to be used
in the further work OF prosecuting this
investigation. and a copy OF the in
structlons to the special agents for use
by them IN securing returns on the
schedules to be handled by them.
Il shall appreciate IL very much n
you win look over these schedules and
give me the benefit OF your criticisms
and suggestions. / am aware that
many points OF interest have not been
covered by the questions on these
schedules The experience OF the bu-
reau OF the census in past Investigations
has shown conclusively that the effort
TO obtain too much Information results
I'm failure to secure complete and ac-
curate returns IL h deemed better.
therefore to reduce the number Of ques-
ton to the lowest point possible. At
the same time II is not desired 20 omit
any question calling for Information
which Is OF vital importance