Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-03-18
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY
DIRECTOR OF THE CENSUS.


Washington, March 14,--On April
Is, in the present year, 1910, the
census of the United States begins.
1t occurs every ten years.
1t is the basis of the distribution
among the States of representation
in the National House of Represen-
tatives.
1t is also the means by which the
United States Government ascer-
tains the increase in the popula-
ton, agricultural, industries and
resour ces of the nation.
1t is required by the constitution
and act of Congress.
The census inquiries are defined
by act of Congress. The questions
on the schedules are framed by the
Director of the Census in conformity
with that act. They apply to all
persons living in the United States
on April Is, next, the Census Day.
The same questions are asked about
each person. All persons must an
swer ali the questions.
The census law, with reference
to population, requires that the
enumerator's questions shall, for
each inhabitant, call for:
"The name, relationship to head
of family, color, age sex, coniugal
condition, place of birth, place Of
birth of parents, number Of years
in the United States, citizenship,
occupation, whether or not employ
er or employee, and if employee,
whether or not employed at the
date of the enumeration april Is
1910, and the number Of months
unemployed during the proceeding
calendar year (1909(, whether or
not engage in agriculture, school
,tteuGance, iiteracy, and tenure of
nome, and whether or not a survi-
vor of the Union or Confederate
Army or Navy; and the name and
address of each blind or deaf and
dumb person"
The same law in regard to agri-
culture, requires that the enumera-
or's questions shall call for:
The name. color and country of
birth of occupant of each farm,
tenure, acreage of farm. acreage of
woodland and character of timber
thereon, valrc of farm andimprove-
ments, value of farm implements,
number and value Of live stock on
farms and laIgeS, and the acreage
of crops planted and to be planted
during the year of enumeration
1910, and the acreage of crops
and the quantity and value of crops
and other farm products for the
year ending December 81, $1,000
next proceeding the enumeration.
Census enumerators wearing
badges with "U. s. Census 1910"
stamped on them, will 60 from
house 10 house. and farm to farm,
beginning April Is. They are not
to be regarded as spies, detectives,
policemen, constables, tax assessors
or officers of any city, county or
state. They are employed by the
u. S. Bureau of the Census. They
do not represent any other depart
ment of the United States Govern
ment or any foreign nation.
No person should hesitate, neg
lect, or refuse to answer all the en-
umerator's questions. He only asks
those necessary to fill the sched-
ules which are required by law.
Nothing that is told him can in any
way be used to the detriment or
damage of any person or his family
or his property.
Replies to enumerators are, and
must be, held by the Census b.
reau in strict and absolute conf
dence.
All the U. S. Census clerks, SUI
pervisors, supervisors clerks, emu
merators, and interpreters, before
entering upon their duties, ale
obliged to take solemn oath not
to disclose any information they
may obtain, except to the Census
Bureau, and violation of the Uni
ted States law in regard to this
oath means a 81 900 fine, or i'm
prisonment for two years, or both,
in the discretion of the Court.
If any adult person refuses or
willfully neglects to answer an emu
merator's questions, or, if any per-
son willfully gives answers that are
false, he or she can be arrested,
carried to court, and fined up to
500. Keepers of hotels, apart
ment houses, boarding or lodging
houses, tenements or other bull
dings in which persons make their
homes, must help the enumerators
when asked or they will be liable to
arrest and punished by a fine up to
500.