Evening journal., 1910-01-05
ENUMERATORS
Are SCARCE
Government Wants Public
Spirited People to Apply
For Places at Once

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Jan. 5.--Cen-
sus Director Duran stated to-day that.
as a result OF his conferences with the
supervisors of census throughout the
country he finds that in many Sec
tions. especially in the larger cities
there have not been as yet sufficient
applications for the positions OF enum-
orators. II looks, he thinks, as II the
country IS so prosperous that people
are not as anxious to get these re-
sponsible places as had been expected.
The scarcity is giving the Director
some concern. as only u few weeks
remain before the date for closing
the consideration of APPLICATIONS. IL
will be impossible generally to extend
the application time limit. as to exam
inc the test" papers. with the neces-
sary care to insure the designation OF
qualified persons, will consume every
moment Of the time allowed for this
phase Of the work Of selecting tho
enumerators. leaving nothing Tor an
extension OF the date for shutting down
on applications.
The Director therefore urges all per-
sons desiring places as enumerators to
make application as quickly as possible
and he hopes that, in order to help get
a perfect census. pubic-splrited and
energetic people throughout the coun-
try will offer themselves for these
positions, even though they may not
care for them from the standpoint of
the pay involved. He also trusts that
employers will deem it their duty 10
give leave Of absence to their en-
ployes who may desire TO act as eaum-
orators. Some slight sacrifice OF this
sort will be amply repaid by the i'm
proved quality OF the census returns
Continuing the Director said:
Although the actual work Of taking
the census will not begin until April
IS. II is essential that those who wish
to act as enumerators should apply
Immediately. Except under unusual
circumstances, no application received
after January 90 will be considered
About $4,000 enumerators will be re-
quired. Each, will work in his own
locality. Any competent person Is en-
titled to apply for this position, and
will be fairly considered for appoint
ment.
Political recommendations are not
necessary. The supervisors, 20 whom
application must be made have beer
instructed to consider all candidates
and to select solely on the basis OF
efficiency. For the purpose of aiding
the supervisors i'm determining tn,
competence of the candidates, a writ
ten test will be prescribed, and any
person between the ages OF IS and q
who IS a citizen OF the United States
will be permitted TO take it,
"The test will be Of strictly prac-
tical character, substantially the sam'
as was used in 1900. It viii consist o.
filling out a sample schedule OF popu'
lation, and. IN the case OF rural dis
tricts, filling out also a sample schedule
of agriculture. these schedules beinl
precisely the same as will actually b'
used by the enumerators in their worl
later on. In order to assist candidates
in preparing for the test, copies o
the blank schedules and general in
structions regarding the manner of fill
ing them will be furnished to eacl
candidate in advance. Any person o
ordinary common-school education ant
good Judgment should have no difficult.
in passing.
"This test Is not a civil-service eE
animation. It win be conducted unde
the direction Of the supervisors Of IN
census. and the papers viii be cx
amined only by the supervisors and b.
the Census Bureau. In order that con
venient examination places may b'
provided for all candidates, localicivil
service examining boards and post
masters will be called upon to pre-
side at the actual taking Of the tes
in certain cases. but i'm this respec
they will act merely as he represen'
tatives Of the supervisors OF the census
1T is impossible to eXaggerate th'
Importance of obtaining a correct cen
sus OF the population and agriculture
Of the country. The correctness Of th'
returns depends wholly upon the com.
petence of the enumerators"