New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1913-02-08

AlteT tdTcluI CONSIDERATION IN
| Census Bureau has reached til
iconclusion that much better re
suits can be obtained by utilizln.
the services of the mail carrier
to do the larger part of the cen
sus enumeration than by an,
other feasible plan. The post
mastergeneral also has given con
sideration to this plan and believ,
it would be entirely feasible, a
least in the case of the rural dis
tricts, and that it would not in
terfere materially with the regu
lar and prompt distribution o
the mails. There would be some
what greater difficulties involved
in utilizing the city mail carrier.
than the rural carriers. It j.
probable that the former ais,
could be advantageously employ
ed, but the precise method b,
which the greatest advantage
could be gained from using The
city mail carriers, with the least
inconvenience TO the public, must
be a matter of further investiga
ton and consideration. Mean
time, if the plan of using the ru
raj mail carriers is adopted at the
special agricultural census OF
1915, much valuable experience
Will be secured which will be ap
plicable to the solution of the pro
blem of the taking of the decen
pial census.
In most of the leading foreign
countries the work of census en-
umeration is largely or wholly
performed by permanent employ
ees of the central government or
of the local governments. Postal
employees, policemen, and other
officers of cities and local govern
ments are called into service.
Well Qualified for Enumerators.
Mail carries, whether in cities
or in rural distaicts, appear to
be conspicuously well qualified
to act as census enumerators.
They selected without reference
to political considerations and as
the result of tests which guaran
tee a fair degree of education and
ability. Their peculiar exper-
ience, however, adds immensely
fitness for the work. They are
personally acquainted with
almost every family and indivi-
dual in the districts which they
serve. Such acquaintance would
not only result In saving the ear
rler much time but would enable
hlm to secure more complete and
accurate information. Again. the
mail carriers have u permanent
responsibility to the government
as their employer, and if utilized
for census work would feel under
obligaton to do it to the best of
their ability, lest otherwise their
permanent positions might be en-
dangered. 1t is inconceivable
for example, that mail carriers
acting as enllmerators would per-
nit themselves to become parties
to a scheme of elaborate padding
OF the census, such as was at.
tempted in a number of the cit
les and towns Of the country at
the last census, or that thew should
neglect their work to any such
degree as did some of the enum-
orators in 1910,
Another peculiar advantage 0f
fine employment of mail carriers
as census enumerators is 1.-The fact
that their duties require them
day by day tQ 60 over the same
territory A large part Of the re.
CURED census work could be done
by the carriers as incidental to
her mail deliveries, although of
curse II considerable amount OF
additional time would be re.
lulred. Under the method here
5ofore employed, an enumerator
who finds q family absent on his
irst visit is under strena tenn
alton not to return to that fam
" TO complete his work. TO do
o, particularly in the rural dis
mcts, may mean special trip
# considerable distance. The |
nail carrier who is unable to OBJ |
ain the required schedules an |
ne visit would lose no time in
listing the same family ON
alter trip.
1T rs believed that 'by the EN-
loyment of mail carriers as
b,lmarators it would be possible
D have the families themselves in
large majority of eases I'LL cut
he required schedules, whether
agriculture or of population.
AS already stated, it is be-
eyed by the Postoffice Depart.
ent that mail carriers in the
1ral districts could perform the
ork OF enumeration without in
rfering at all seriously with the
lbiie convenience as regards the
,livery of mail. Doubtless the
lrriers would have to work moro
an the ordinary number of
s'lrs, and In some eases. perhavs
'nerallN 1t would be necessary
r the regular rural carriers To
II upon their substitutes for
ore Or less assistance In the de- ,
cry Of mail during the time of
umerationA Even, however. II ,
ere should be some little incon- !
nience to the public, II should
borne IN mind that the taking
a census is great national ensI !
prise, in which every citizen !
ould be interested and for
,ich he should be. and In most /.
SEES would be willing to sacri- :
Ill m