The Delta independent., 1910-01-07
First InterDiew to Be
Giuen Out bv Superuisor.

|
1.-THE simple test which candidates for
enumerators' places will undergo Feb
ruary 5. does not take away the super
visors' right under the census law to
designate suitable persons for such po-
sition," said Supervisor of Census H.
j. Baird at his Office in Delta recently.
'It is designed to aid the supervisors
in the exercise of that discretion and to
enable the Census Director intelligently
to use the power of approval of the
him by law.
''It is very we'll understood that Pres
ident Taft, Secretary Nagel and Census
Director Durand all hold the supervis-
ors responsible for the enumeration.
There is no doubt, therefore, that our
first and most important duty is the
selection of honest capable and active
persons to make the count.
1.-The Census will be taken, not by
the Census Bureau officers or the super
visors, but by enumerators. They are
the ones who come in contact with the
people and get the facts. Unless every
single enumerator does his whole and
proper duty there can not be a correct
census. There can not be anything of
greater scientific value to this country
than accurate statistics as the basis of
study of the existing conditions re-
garding our population, agriculture,
manufactures and mines and quarries.
"All persons, unless specifically dis
qualified, are entitled to apply to take
the test. Only those under 18 years of
age and over 10, and those who have not
become citizens of the United States,
are barred. Otherwise, all persons, re-
gardless of sex and political affiliations.
are eligible. 1t is left to my judgment
whether it is wise to appoint women in
my district They can do the work,
have no doubt, especially in certain
parts of the district. There were a
good many employed all over the coun-
try in the Twelfth Census.
1.-The time for closing the considera-
ton of applications is January %.
Those received after that date will have
to be ignored. Applications should be
addressed in writing to me at this office
and not to the Census Director. | will
send in1uirers the necessary form and
instructions concerning it. Afterward
| will send those on the list, prior to the
test, a set of directions for filling out
the test papers. This will enable every
one to come well prepared. Nothing
could be fairer or better calculated to
insure a satisfactory applicant passing
the test.
'eThe test itself need not deter any
one. Any person with common sense
and a common-school education can pass
it. All it consists of is giving the can
didates sample population and aegicul-
tural schedules, upon which are to be
written in the proper columns the re-
ouired details, which are found in
printed descriptions, in narrative form,
If typical families and farms supposed
to be in district. There will be some
instances requiring the exercise of judg-
ment to decide whether given entry
should be made under one column head
ing or another. You can see how SIM
pie and elementary it is.
"The test will be held all over the
country and in every supervisors dis
trict February 5. There will be several
places in each district for taking it.
One place would be insufficient. 1t
would not hold all the candidates. AS
supervisor, l shall have the direction of
all. and the test examination at each.
no matter under what official agency it
is held, will be that sole and simple one
prescribed by the Census Director.
81 am given until February % to rate
the papers in a very simple way, and to
gain an idea of the qualifications of
those rated as having passed. Next 1
will forward the papers of the success
full candidates, with my recommends
tions or designations, to the Census
Director. He will, if satisfied that
suitable persons have been selected,
give his consent to their appointment,
and they will be commissioned. The
middle or latter part of March should
see everything settled, and the selected
and commissioned enumerators will be
sent more circulars and books of in
structions relative to the Interpretation
or meaning of the questions on the two
schedules.
"April Is the Census army will move
forward in the enumeration.
Certainly the Federal Demonstrating
is as necessary and as honorable as jury
duty, and, as all good and useful citi-
zens do not hesitate to respond to the
call for such duty, l therefore ask the