The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-17
CENSUS FRAUDS.
The Returns From Several
Western Cities Are Padded.
Tacoma Added 33, 296 Names to
Her Actual POpuIa ton.

Washington, Oct. 17.-Sta ggered by
the enormous growth shown by the re-
turns of the new census for a number
of western cities. Director Durand, of
the census bureau, ordered an investi-
cation, the result of which appeared
in the announcement that gross frauds
had been perpetrated. Mr.. Durand
gave out also a letter from President
Taft directing that persons implicated
in the alleged frauds should be prose-
cuted
Cities specifically mentioned as be-
ing affected by the frauds are Ia
coma, Seattle and Aberdeen, Wash. ;
and Boise, Idaho, and Fort Smith,
Ark. but it is said that there are many
others.
The result of a second enumeration
of Tacoma, Wash. was announced-
The city shows a population of s2,9I2,
an increase of 45,25S, or 100 per cent,
over the population of 1900. The first
figures turned in for Tacoma were
116,24S. In other words. the actual
population was padded to the extent
of 1926, which would have meant a
further addition of 40 per cent. These
additions were made in "a out of the
73 enumeration districts in Tacoma.
In some of these districts the number
reported proved to be several times
greater than the actual population. In
ed 29,753 names, whereas, the correct
number was found to be 11.646.
The statement issued by Director
Durand consists in the main of letter
from himself. addressed to Secretary
NageI, of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, dated October 8, in which
the whole case is presented, and of a
brief letter from President Taft to Mr..
NageI, of date of October IL.
The letter of President Taft follows:
4 II <0fa TA1I1~o F7fJtc
| and agree with him that it ought to be
published. The cases of all those who
| APPEAR to have violated the law should
! be investigated by the grand jury, and
| if sufficient evidence is found to justify
| it, they should be indicted and proSecu-
ted at once. Nothing will so conduce
to securing a proper census as the
prosecution of those who attempt a
| fraud upon the law. I am led to be-
| lieve that the present census has been
much freer from attempted frauds than
| any previous census, but the instances
cited by Mr.. Durand are sufficient to
require the most vigilance to bring
those who have violated the law to JUS
tiee and proper punishment"
| The letter of Director Durand, also
| addressed ia Secretary Nagel. sets forth
that attempted padding" of the census
| was brought about mainly through the
use of slips printed by private individ-
uals and containing the census ques-
| LUIS 1uSSC were 01SlAADOlCO very BEN
orally on street corners and elsewhere
and were filled out by thousands of peo-
pie who either had been already enum-
| Grated, or who were not permanent res
idents of the city and not entitled tC
enumeration there. It is possible thai
| in some cases the names were wholly
| fictitious.
These slips were turned over by the
private individuals who collected them
! through a special agent of the census
bureau, and they under the instructions
of Corwin, added the names to the
.boarders" or assigning them as
"obarders', or dodgers in various
houses in their districts.