Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-31
CENSUS
0fiMP0RTANCE TO
NEW MEXICO
Supervisor Points Out Need at
This Time Of Accurate Fig
ures on Population of Terri
tory,


Special Dispatch 20 the Morning. journal.
Santa Re, \. NJ, March So.-Census
Supervisor Paul a r. water, in an
interview today. pointed out the great
importance TO New Mexico of an ac-
curate and complete census. Repre-
sentation to constitutional ana other
conventions may be based on the Of
fetal population returns, and the ap-
-portionment OF the general school and
other public funds is often made on
census returns. Congress ana the
world at large viii base their ideas of
the population. the wealth, the re-
sources and the greatness of New Mex
leo. very largely upon the official
census returns, and no claims made
otherwise. can at any time offset
completely the Influence OF the off
clnl statistics.
But there is not only need that
every bona fide resident. and every.
farm and it's products be enumerated,
but the various questions On the popu-
lation and agricultural schedules must
be answered accurately.
Many persons Of foreign birth or
descent whcn asked. can YOU read
or write ?" answer no" if they can
not read or write English. As a mat
ter Of fact. every person, who can
read Spanish, or German. or Italian,
or any other language. should ans
wer in the affirmative the question
whether he can read, ana similarly
the question. whether he can write.
&c he writes any language.
Among the Spanish -American peo-
pie the head Of the family or other
person giving the for the
household. viii tend to answer the
question whether this or that member
of the family can speak English, or
can read or write. in the same way
for every member of the household, as
for himself. But often some Of the
children or servants speak and read
English eyen II the head Of the fam
lily does not. II is important that the
correct answer be given for each
member OF the family. The census
In the past has doubtless Indicated q
larger percentage of people In New
Mexico as not being able to read or
write than is Just, and has thus preiu-
diced against New Mexico those who
have referred to the official statistics.
Enumerators should pay special at
tcntion to his phase Of the census
taking.
A special effort will be made 20 take
AN accurate livestock census The
livestock industry is OF great import
ancc to the territory. The aggregate
a. .,,1A or a,trs.lg nl4A~| I'M 90 az inn
poriant bearing ON future legislation
not only for New Mexico but for the
entire nation. There should be no re-
.luctance on part Of livestock wners
TO give out the number of head OF
stock they own as the census enumcr-
ators are under oath and under severe
penalty not TO reveal the data they
secure 20 any unauthorized person.
Under no circumstances VIII any one
connected with the assessors office
be appointed nm enumerator o viii
The forest service or any other branch
of the federal government outside of
the census bureau have access 20 the
returns, which will be- Kept confident
inl. Supervisor Walter has assured the
Washington census officials hat the
stockmen OF New Mexico viii be as
puhlic-spirited and patriotic as those
OF other sections and will t%ruthfully
ANSWER the enumerators as to their
herds. not only on enclosed farms bat
also on the public range and In the
national forests.
II is recognized that the taking OF
"a census in New Mexico is a most dir
.ncuH undertaking ON account OF the
two languages that prevail, the long
distances. sparse settlement. the topo-
graphic and climatic conditions, and
the many absentees NJ that season who
are temporarily in shearing camps
either in New Mexico or adjoining
states or "a ho are away from their
.homestcads ON leaves OF absence.
Therefore his appeal is made TO the
newspapers and the public in general
To assist in the work, to report
promptly amy shortcomings of mum
'crators. any omissions they may
make. and TO answer an questions
frankly and as accurately as possible.
White IL Is true thai the census act
provides for penalties for those who
REFUSE tao answer the questions or Whu
|wihuilN give misinformation 10 the
enumcrators. Supervisor Walter hc-
llsves that it VIII not he necessary in
an, instance 10 appeal to the United
states district attorney for action. AS
he is certain thai the local interest i'm
1.-THE rs,sults OF the census is such that
every riuzen viii co-nporatr with him
TO 2iyc New Mexico IL complete and
accurate count.