The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-16

much change IN temperature
moderate variable winds.
ther that padding of one sort or another
has already been discovered on a more
or less extended scale In a number OF
other cities besides Tacoma, and that II
is feared that Investigations now in prog
ress will result In discovering II In sew
eral additional places. Full report will
be made to you regarding each case
when the facts are fully ascertained. Pri-
vate census slips. similar TO those used
in Tacoma, were used In a number OF
other cities
Definite Evidence In Hand.
Il am unable TO state at the present
attempts have been made To Initiate the
census. Definite evidence has already
been secured In the case of Great Falls,
Mont Cwhere. IN fact, three enumerators
have already been fined and imprisoned
for fraud: Boise, Idaho; Seattle, and
Tacoma, Wash: Portland. Oreg.; Fort
Smith. Ark. and Minneapolis. MINI. In
vestigations are in progress with refer
ence 10 a number OF other cities. In some
OF these cases the padding was appar-
entity not due 10 any concerted action,
but was done by a few individual emu
merators, apparently rather in order 10
increase their own pay than IN order 10
exaggerate the total population of the
city.
"In seeking to eliminate as completely
as possible all overcounting of the popu-
lation. the Census Bureau is not merely
performing its duty under the law and
seeking a correct basis for the appor-
tionment OF Representative and for the
population statistics Of the country, but
I believe 1t Is also rendering a distinct
service 10 the cities themselves in which
the padding has been attempted. II is a
mistaken theory of those who seek to
initiate the census that the future growth
OF city and its prosperity will be fur
thered by an overstatement of the popu-
lstion such. I believe, Is never the case.
IN some cases quite the reverse occurs.
IN those Instances, which have happened
in the past and which are likely to
happen in the future, where the subse-
quent actual growth OF a city is not suffi-
cient 10 offset and more than Offset an
overcount. the next census. by showing
an apparently declining. stationary, or
slowly growing population. tends TO in
iure the standing OF the city before the
public.
Conspicuous Instances.
Two conspicuous instances of Iniuri-
Gus results 10 the local interests as a
consequences Of padding the census are
the cases of Omaha and st. Joseph. It
is now universally recognized that the
census ofiOmaha in 1880 was enormously
padded II showed an apparent popula-
ton. which was published as officially
correct. Of 1882 When in 1900 a cor
rect enumeration was taken. it showed
a population Of 1n2.555. and the apparent
decrease IN population gave Omaha
reputation Of being an unprosperous city
AGAIN. tie Census Bureau has only re-
Gently announced the 1910 population Of
the city Of st. Joseph, Mo. The figure.
Z, 403. shows an apparent decrease OF
24s per cent, as compared with l02.9I9 re-
ported in 1900.
rs is now not merely admitted. but as
serted by the people OF ST. Joseph that
the population IN 1900 was padded in an
extreme degree. and yet the apparent de-
cline in population which goes before the
general public is bound 70 create an un-
favorable impression with regard to the
prosperity OF the CITY. II is with a view
to preventing such injurious results, as
well as with a view TO securing correct
census in the interests of the entire peo-
pie Of the country, that the Census Bu-
reau is undertaking a most careful IN
vestigation of the returns from every city
in which there Is the slightest ground
for suspicion. Very respectfully.
E DANA DURAND Director.
TIE Honorable the Secretary Of Commerce ana
Labor
Origin of investigation.
Director Durand said last night that
the suspicious of Chief Statistician Will
lam c. Hunt and Chief of Division Will
lam Ii, Jarvis, of the population division
OF the Census Bureau, with regard TO
the census of Tacoma, were aroused.
when, on a careful examination of the
schedules. It was found that there were
an absurdly large number Of families re-
porting great numbers of ''roomers' and
dodgers" William A Mckenzie. a bu-
reau expert, who had charge of the
enumeration OF the Fourth district OF
Alaska, made the investigation at Ia
coma that disclosed the padded figures.
That criminal prosecutions will follow
the evidences Of padding" discovered
in various cities is youched Tor by Off
Gals of the Censns Off1ce