The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-16
Gross Frauds Found in
Figures From w est
ern Cities.
SECOND COUN T
MADE IN TACOMA
Enurnerators Had Given City
1896 Too Many Inhabitants.
Several Other Places In
volved, and President Taft
Directs Prosecution of
Persons Implicated.

Washington, D. c.. October 15.--Stag-
gered by the enormous growth shown
by the returns OF the new, census for
number of Western cities. Director
Durand. of the Census Bureau, ordered
an investigation, the result of which
appeared in the announcement tonight
that gross frauds had been perpe-
trated. Mr.. Durand gave out also a
letter from President Taft directing
that persons implicated In the alleged
frauds should be prosecuted.
Cities specifically mentioned as being
! affected by the frauds are Tacoma,
Seattle and Aberdeen. Wash; Portland.
Ore; Minneapolis. Min, Boise. Idaho,
and Fort Smith, Ark, but it is stated
that there are many others.
The result of a second enum Grafton
for Tacoma was announced tonight.
The city shows population of S2.972,
an increase of 45,25s. 80 per cent. over
the population of 1900.
Padded 1896.
coma We're 1928. In other words, the
actual population was padded to the
extent of 1895, which would have
| meant further addition of 40 per
cent. These additions were made in
| thirtyfour out of seventyth three
enumeration districts in Tacoma
1 In some of these districts the num-
! Der reported proved to be several times
| greater than the actual population
| In ten districts. the first enumeration
| showed 29,753 names, whereas the cor
/ rect number was found to be 1855.
Director Durand's statement con-
| sists mainly OF letter from himself
/ addressed to Secretary Nagel, of the
| Department of Commerce and Labor
! dated October s. in which the whole
| case is presented. The Presidents let
tier several days later, addressed tc
! Secretary Nagel, reads:
| Il have read Director Durand's let
!, ter and agree with him that it ought
to be published. The cases of all those
appear to have violated the law shoulc
i be investigated by the grand jury, ant
III sufficient evidence is found to jus
fifty II. they should be indicted ant
/ prosecuted at once. Nothing will 81
/ conduce to securing the proper censu!
| as the prosecution of those who at
| tempt fraud upon the law. I an
J led to believe that the present censu!
| has been much freer from attempted
! frauds than any previous census, bu
the instances cited by Mr.. Durand ar
/ sufficient to require the utmost yigi
lance to bring those who have VIC
punishment"
How 1t Was Done.
Director Durand's letter sets fortl
that attempted padding" was broush
about mainly through the use of slip
printed by private individuals and con
tanning the census questions. Thes
/! were distributed very generally OF
street corners and elsewhere, and wer
I filled out by thousands of people VIII
either had already been enumerated o
who were not permanent residents o
/ the city and not entitled to enumera
/ ton there. 1t is possible that in som
cases the names were wholly fictitious
These slips were turned over by tn
/! private individuals who collected then
through Special Agent Stacey NJ. Cor
wiz to thirty-four of the enumerators
and they, under the instructions o
! Corwin, added the names to the enum
Grafton by assigning them as board
ers" or dodgers to various houses i
their districts. In other words, the di
| rector states, the enumerators deliber
ately made the false statement tina
these persons were resident at this o
that particular street number, some o
which were vacant lots, although tn
i enumerators knew nothing whateve
/ with regard to the Names SO fraudu
\ 1aptly4 add ed