New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-15
Senate Passes q Bill to Increase
Scope Of Questions.
,rron Tho Tribune Eureeu.l

Washington, March 1A-The Senate passed
n bill to-day authorizing the Director OF
the Census 10 include in the interrogatorles
In the population schedule question WIN
regard 10 the nationality or mother tongue
of those enumerated. As The law stands
il requires mention only Of the country OF
birth.
Director Durand pointed out that in Rus
sia, Austria and Turkey the population is
not homogeneous. but is made UP of dis
tinct nationalities. In recommending the
passage Of the bill Mr.. Durand said vari-
Gus Slavic nationalties coming from AUS
tria-Hungary appear almost unanimously
to object to being reported as born III
Austria or Hungary unless il appears also
that they are not Austrians or Hungarians
The director suggested that, as the differ
ence is so marked I'm racial characteristics
language and habits in life as between
the different sections OF the population or
some OF the European countries. an emu
meration showing nationality and mother
tongue, as well as land of birth, will he OF
great scientific value.
President TAFT issued this census proc
lamatOn day:
Whereas, BY the act of Congress ap-
proved July ., 1909. the thirteenth decen-
taken, beginning on the 18th of April, 1910;
and
Whereas, \ correct enumeration of the
population every ten years Is required by
the Constitution of the United states for
the purpose of determining the representa- =
ton OF the several states in the House OF
representatives. and
Whereas, 1t is OF the utmost importance
TO the interests of all the people OF the
United States that this census should be al
complete and accurate report of the pcpula-
ton and resources of the country:
Now, Therefore ]. William Howard Taft,
President of the United States of America,
do hereby declare and make know that. un-
der the act aforesaid, it is the duty of every
person to answer all questions on the census
schedules applying TO him and the family
10 Which he belongs. and TO the farm oc-
cupied by him or his family and that any
adult refusing TO do so is subject TO penalty
The sole purpose of the census is TO
secure general statistical information re
garding the population and resources of the
country. and replies are required from in
dividuals only in order 10 permit the COM
pilation OF such general statistics. The
census has nothing to do with taxation,
with army or jury service, with the COM
pulsion of school attendance. with the regu-
lation of Immigration, with the enforce
ment of any national, state, or local law or
ordinance. nor can any person be harmed
in any way by furnishing the information
required. There need he no fear that any
disclosure will be made regarding any in
dividual person his affairs. For the due
protection of the rights and interests of
the persons furnishing information. every
en1ploye OF the Census Bureau is prohibited
under heavy penalty. from disclosing any
information which may thus come TO his
knowledge.
| therefore earnestly urge upon all per-
sons to answer promptly completely and
accurately all inquiries addressed to them
by the enumerators or other employees of
the Census Bureau. and thereby TO contri-
butte their share toward making this grea
and necessary public undertaking a sue
cess
The proclamation is for the purpose Of
removing fears from the minds of persons
who are of the opinion that information
which they give concerning themselves to
the census taker may be used in some way
to the detriment of their personal or bust
ness interests. To prevent any such abuse,
however, the government has adopted the
strongest measures.