The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-14
ENUMERATORS
Are Scarce And Public Spirit.
ed People
Ire Asked To Apply At Once
For Place
Political Recommendations
Not Necessary
Qualification Test Is OF
Practical Nature
And Does Not EmbOdy Civil
Service Examination

Vdohih ~ Va pdhs NCh-
sus Director Durand stated today
chat, as result of his conferences
with the supervisors of census
throughout the country he finds that
in many sections, especially in the
cities, ther have not been as yet su-
fficient applications for the positions
of enumerators.
The scarcity is giving the director
some concern as only few weeks
remain before the date for closing
the consideration of applications. It
will be possible generally to extend
the application time limit, as to ex-
anime the test" papers, with the
necessary care to insure the designa-
tion of qualified persons, will con-
sumo every moment of the time al
lowed for this phase of the work of
selecting the enumerators. leaving
nothing for an extension OF the date
for shutting down on applications.
The director therefore urges all
persons desiring places as enumer-
ators co make application as quickly
as possible, and he hopes that, in
order to help get a perfect census,
public spirited and energetic people
throughout the country will offer
themselves for these positions, even
though they may not care f. them
from the standpoint of the pay in
volved. He also trusts that employers
will deem it their duty to give leave
of absence to their employees who
may desire to act as enumerators.
Some slight sacrifice of this sort will
be amply repeid by the improved
quality of the census returns. Con-
tinuing, the director said:
Although the actual work OF
taking the census will not begin un-
til April Is, 1t is essential that those
who wish to act as enumerators
should apply Immediately. Except
under unusual circumstances, no ap-
plication received after January 25
will be considered. About $4,000
enumerators will be required. Each
will work In his own locality. Any
competetent person Is entitled to ap'
ply for this position, aud will be
fairly considered for appointment.
Political recommendations are
not necessary. The supervisors tc
whom applications must be made
have been instructed to consider al
candidates and to select solely or
the basis of efficiency. For the pur
pose of aiding the supervisors in de
termining the competence of the can
dates, a written test will be perscrib
ed, and any persons between the
ages of 18 and 70>who Ia citizen O.
the United States will be permitted
to take 1t.
"The test will be of strickly pra'
tical character, substantially th'
same as was used in 1900. It will col
sist of filling out sample schedule
of population, and, in the case of ru
raj districts, filing out also sampl,
schedule of agriculture. these eched
ules being precisely the same as will
actually be used by the enumerator
In their work later on. In order t
assist candidates in preparing 70
the test, copies of the blank sched
ules and general instructions regard
ing the manner of filling them will
be furnished to each candidate In ad
vance. Any person of ordinary com
mon-school education and good judg
ment should have no difficulty 1
passing.
"This test will noe be civil Sci
vice examination. 1t will be conduct
, ed under the supervisor of the Ger
| sus bureau. In order thac CONVEX
! lent examination places may be Pre-
vided for all candidates. local civ
} service examination board and pos
} masters will be called upon to pre-
: side at the actual taking of the tel
In certain cases. but in this respe'
: they will act merely as the represel
! tatives of the supervisors of the Gel
sus.
1T is impossible to exaggerate I'll
: importance OF obtaining CORE,
census OF the population and agr
culture OF the country. The correc