The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-04-07
.ENUMERATORS NOT TO
. Be CONSIDERED SPIES
The United States Census, April IL,
1910.

The enumeration of population dur
ing a census, always presents num-
erous difficulties; chiefly, the appre-
hension of many that answers to
enumerators' questions will cause in
creased taxation, legal entanglements,
or injurious consequences to persons
and property.
In order to quiet unfounded fears,
which would, unless removed, materi-
ally affect the census, April Is, next,
the Census Bureau has prepared the
subjoined statement relative to the
decennial census, its origin, purpose,
and uses. Information given enum-
orators is held by the Census Bureau
in strictest confidence with reference
to the identity of the informants, as
required by the policy of the bureau
and commanded by the law of the
United States.
1t is therefore earnestly hoped that
clergymen, priests, physicians. school
teachers, employers, and other public
spirited citizens who come in contact
with large numbers of people will CO.
operate with the Census Bureau by
telling persons, believed to entertain
erroneous opinions Of the census, the
real facts and urging them to give
! full replies to the enumerators. Teach
ers are particularly requested to
speak of the census to the school
children and ask them to tell their
parents about it.
On April 10, 1910, the census of the
United States begins. 1t occurs every
ten years. 1t is the basis of the dis
tribution among the States of repre-
sentation in the National House of
Representatives. 1t is also the means
by which the United States govern
ment ascertains the increase in the
population, agriculture, industries
and resources of the nation. 1t Is re-
quired by the constitution and by act
of Congress.
The information sought will be used
solely for general statistical purposes
1t will neither be published nor used
in any way to disclose facts regard
ing any individual or enterprise.
The census Is not employed to OBJ
tain information that can be used in
any way in the assessment of prop
erty for purposes of taxation or the
collection of taxes, national, state, or
local; for deportation proceedings
extradition measures; army or navy
CONSUMPTION; compulsory school at
, tendance; child labor law prosecu-
tons; quarantine regulations; or, in
any way, to affect the life, liberty, or
property of any person.
1t has nothing whatever to do with
the detection, arrest, prosecution, OF
l. 80
suspected, or actual, violation of a
law, whether of city, or State, or the
National Government, or of foreign
nation.
The census inquiries are defined by
act of Congress. The questions on
the schedules are framed by the Di-
rector of the Census in conformity
with that act. They apply to all per-
sons living in the United States on
April 10 next. The same questions
are asked about each person. All
persons must answer all the Ques-
tons.
The census law, with reference to
population, requires that the enumer-
ators questions shall. for each inhab-
liant, call for:
THE name, relationship to head OF
| family, color, sex, age, conjugal con-
dition, place Of birth, place of birth
of parents, number of years in the
| United States, citizenship occupation
whether or nor employer or employee
and, if employee, whether or not en-
ployed at the date of enumeration
april Is, 1870, and the number of
months unemployed during the pre-
ceding calendar year $1,000, whether
or not engaged in agriculture school
attendance, literacy, and tenure OF
home, and whether or not a survivor
of the Union or Confederate Army or
Navy; and the name and address of
each blind or deaf and dumb per-
son."
The same law, with reference to
agriculture, requires that the enum-
orators questions shall call for:
THE name, color, and country of
birth of occupant of each farm, ten
ure, acreage of farm, acreage of
woodland and character of timber
thereon. value of farm and improve
ments, value of farm implements,
number and value of live stock on
farms and ranges, number and value
of domestic animals not on farms and
ranges, and the acreage of crops
planted and to be planted during the
year of enumeration Q910), and the
acreage of crops and the quantity and
value of crops and other farm pro-
ducts for the year ending December 81
l9O9) next preceding the enumera-
ton"
Census enumerators wearing badges
stamped ~. S. Census 1910" will go
from house to house, and farm to
farm, beginning April Is. They are
not to be regarded as spies, detectives,
policemen, constables, tax assessors,
or officers of any city, county, or
state. They are employed by the T.
s. Bureau of Census. They do not
represent any other department of the
United States government or any
foreign nation.
No person should hesitate, neglect,
or refuse to answer all the enumera-
tors questions. He only asks those
necessary to fill the schedules requir-
ed by law. Nothing told him can be
used to the detriment or damage of
any person, or his family, or his prop
erty.
Replies to the enumerators are
held by the Census Bureau in abso-
lutte confidence. All the U. s. Census
officials, supervisors, supervisors
clerks, enumerators, and interpreters,
before entering upon their duties. are
obliged to take solemn oath not to
disclose any information they may OBJ
Axt~ Il 4.