The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-03-17

gOOu newspaper, lhoSC VI eiiSi'i Avs
commissioned officers and privates.
* * y
Preparing for the
Federal Census
a THOUGH the time for taking
A the next federal census is
year off, the bureau is now assum-
ing an active appearance. A great
deal of preliminary work must be
done-much more than in former
decades.
The enumeration of the population
is made in the month of April, and
the tabulation is to be completed by
the first of July. There is considerable
speculation as to the census showing
of the large cities and the usual dis
appointment may be expected in the
more ambitious of them that fall
short of population claims.
In the meantime, the quinquennial
industrial census will be taken this
year. The count of population is a
simple matter and the enumerators
are selected only for their general
intelligence. But for the industrial
census experts detailed from the bu-
reau are appointed.
1t is easy enough to obtain accurate
data from the large corporations, but
not so with the smaller manufactur-
ling concerns. Many small manufac-
turers fail to keep their cost sheets
in "ship shape" and the government
agents find more or less difficulty in
arriving at facts necessary for sta
tistical presentation. Time was when
the small proprietors looked upon the
census takers with suspicion. They
were regarded somewhat as spies. The
situation has improved in recent years
and this year the small concerns
should welcome the bureau agents and
facilitate their work by giving the in
formation desired fully and without
hesitation.
The Birmingham district made a
fine showing in 1914 and it will, of
course, make far larger showing in
1919. 1t used to be that industrial
operations were classified only by
cities according to municipal limits,
but in the case of Pittsburg, Birming-
ham and other important centers the
census is now taken by districts,
which is the proper way, if the public
is to have a clear understanding of
the situation.
The stork has found friend in New
York. An ordinance has been pro-
posed to fine landlords who refuse to
ent apartments to couples with chill
dren $3.50 or subject them to five days
Imprisonment.
* X X
The Boston Transcript recommends
glass suit cases to enable travellers to
satisfy detectives that they are not
carrying liquor. Better still, dispense
with baggage andsbe sure your pockets
don't bulge.
Moonshiners in north Alabama are
evidently preparing to fight to the
death for the privilege of making
"white lightning" There is more money
in it now than ever before.
* y y
1t has reached the point in Bir-
mingham where man who carries a
pint" on his hip is much more uneasy
when sleuths are around than the vet
eran gun toter
4 & =
The Philadelphia Public Ledger sug'
gest that President Wilson call Mr..
Taft to Paris. Mr.. Taft is doing yeo.
man service in the home guard.
* 4 =
Launching waves of poison gas and
hurting hand grenades, the embattlei
vets are falling back to previously pre-
pared positions.
= X =
The conquering heroes are coming
home in droves. How much longer
must be wait to see Fokker and a
tank?
x y 4
Next of kin fare hard in Pretrograd
where bolsheviki run amuck.