The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-23
WELL DOM" NAME
Of RICHMOND BABY
Census Man Requires Mother to
Name Infant in a
Hurry.
TOO MANY ENUMERAToRs
Men Cannot Make Mitch Money
Several Families Are Dead
Broke.

prompt naming OF a new baby was
the result of a visit paid yesterday by
one of Richmond's census enumerators
The census man got down the rest of
the family, but the baby who has been
very recently added TO the coloreu
population of the greatest city in the
South was reported to be without a
name. No blanks are provided in the
reports for persons who are minus
names, but the mother said she couldn't
help that. and that she hadn't made
up her mind what cognomen should be
attached to her offspring. The enume-
rator, remembering his instructions,
insisted that name was absolutely
necessary. and demand that one be
forthcoming Immediately
Thus adjured, the mother belabored
her memory for an appropriate name.
Nothing common, she determined,
should he shouted at her boy through
out his life. Then she had an inspira~
ton Doubtless she attended church
the night before. and heard a sermon
from certain parable So she told
the census taker to put It down as
"Well Done
Speculative Reasons.
Perhaps she wants her son to he n
good ana faithful servant. Perhaps
she wants words of commentator SAID
to him by his employer whether he
has done his work satisfactorily or
not.
Whatever her reason was the mage
is down in the census reports. The
innocent infant is chronicled, instead
OF as George Washington or Thomas
Jefferson or Napoleon Bonaparte, as
We'll Done" Smith or Jones. or what
ever the surname may be.
At least two Richmond families who
are next door neighbors are broke
They are composed of culiud pussons.
At first the enumerator knocked Wig
orously, and was rewarded by the an
pearance OF little girl who came
around the house. He told her he
wanted to see her mother ito take the
census" The child disappeared, but
no dark matron appeared at the door
After an interval he knocked again
whereupon the same little girl reap
'peared with the message Mama SEE
she amt got bi. OF money In de
house,
Next door the lady" was TO home
The enumeration told her he was the
census taker. she promptly replied:
Law sakes, chile, 7 amt got q cent
to-day Evidently the ubiquitous col
lector is frequent visitor In these
homes.
work IL Finished.
Several enumerators have already
completed their work and have rested
from their labors District Supervisor
G. Ridgeway- Moore thinks a mistake
was made in having too great num-
Der of these men in this city. There
at Fn m mo
part each man has not made enough
money to Justify the trouble of the
examination and of informing himself
as to his duties.
The Bureau of tho Census In Wash
ington suggested giving Mr. Moore so
many men to a precinct. The super
visor. having never taken census
before. appointed quite a large propof-
ton of these He cut down the bu-
reau's number materially, but 1t no"
appears that not enough reduction IN
the number was made.
1t is anticipated that every one OF
the ninety-six enunerators In Greater
Richmond will have finished his work
by April 80. If not. one of the other
men will be detailed to assist before
that date. In the country districts the
census takers have until May Is 10
finish, because of the larger amount
Of trouble and the greater territory to
be covered in securing the informa-
ton.
Not Much Pay.
Although the average for each or
the ninety-siX men in Richmond VIII
be considerably more than 1000, some
of them will not get so many the
man who gets 1000 will receive only
$50 or s25, according to his district,
However, 1000 names in the country
will net $50.
One of the enumerators quit yester-
day, but another man was ready to
take his place.
Mr.. Moore is pleased at the readiness
with which the people of this city have
responded TO his appeal for full IN
formation to the enumerators. Many
of the information gatherers have not
reported a single case of refusal. 9th
ers have had little trouble, but 1t
has been settled through the interven-
! ton of the inspectors, with little sus
gestions as to the probable anger OF
Uncle Sam in case the questions We're
not answered. He can recall but one
case where the necessary information
has not been secured.
What arc you going to do with thai
case?p he was asked
Il am going to get the informatlon,'
he said.