New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
5000 Volunteers Taking
Connecticut War Census
Every Man To Be Listed with Qualifications tor Service
Each Factory Enumerated with Estimated
Output of War Supplies

made of the entire city and a report
| obtained from every person nsteo
According to those in charge, no large
/ census has ever been attempted any
where with so many precautions
against errors and omissions.
The city and town committees, as
/ fast as they get their returns, are for
warding them to state headquarters
where they are used as a guide to
punch cards, the holes being made &C
cording to secret code. These punched
cards, in turn, will be run through
fast machines, which will classify and
tabulate the names according to de-
sired classiications. The only writing
on these punched cards will be the
name and address of the individual.
Serving Without Pay
1t is noteworthy that practically
every one engaged in the work is serv-
ing without any reward, as Governor
Holcomb said, "other than the salts
faction of feeling that he has done his
best promptly and efficiently to serve
his state in time of need" The excep-
tions are the clerical employees at the
general and special headquarters.
Men in all walks of life are lending
their support to the work. Clergymen
have urged their Pensioners 10 aid
the census takers. Heads Of large man
ufacturing enterprises are cooperating.
Leaders of the many alien elements IN
the state have given their Endorsement
and are assisting with the men Of their
nationalities. David Z. Fitzgerald,
Democratic state chairman, is working
shoulder to shoulder with J. Henry
Roraback. Republican state chairman.
81 am glad" said Governor Holcomb,
Chat there is this one thing upon
which we are all united, rising above
the question of race and religion and
politics and meeting on the common
ground of Americanism. When we get
this census completed we'll be in po-
sition TO serve our country more intel
ligently than ever before. The indis-
criminate enlistments which have char
acterized all wars in this country be-
fore will be absent if another call
comes. Well know just exactly what
every man can do, and we shall not
ask or expect him to do something
else. Well fight scientifically and with
a maximum of results"
Blanks Like Canada's Used
The enumeration blanks are based on
those in recent use in Canada. The
latter are sent TO Major General Wood
at Governors Island for revision ac-
ccrding TO American needs. They thus
represent the best advice army experts
car give.
Estimates of the cost of the work
are vet unobtainable. In some Of the
small towns it will not exceed S500-to
be borne by the town government. The
city of Hartford expects to spend about
$500. "No consideration" said Mayor
Hagarty, "has yet been given 20 that
question. This is work that simply
must be done. Wen meet the expense
afterward."
Care has been taken to stress the
fact that the census is one of resources
not of intention or inclination. No
person is asked whether ne would en-
list in case of war, nor does he bind
himself in any way by answering the
questions. The law makes answering
mandatory on all residents, and virtu
ally no one has refused to meet the
questions.
Governor Holcomb was the first per-
son in the state to be enumerated. He
gave his age as seventy-two and his
hearing as impaired" but insisted this
was no physical disability. Another
citizen, whose permission was obtained
TO make public his enumeration, gave
his age as l02 years. In the blanks OPP
posite most of the questions relating
to qualifications he was forced to place
reluctant mo" The last question on
the sheet was, Are you a good swim
mer?" The veteran looked back up the
list. A long trail Of "Noes" stared him
in the face. II was too much. Surely
he was Of some use His hand trent
bled as he wrote. "Have been"