The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-17
census BUREAU GETS
READY FOR BUSINESS
Prepares for Appointment Of Super
vtSors To Take Charge OF
EuunaeratorxS

Washington. d, c., March 1.-THE
act providing for the fourteenth and
subsequent decsnnial censuses was
signed by the president on March 3.
The s0nnsraflnn. wfiinf7 will DO nadc
fsS sessonry, telEv, - tse,v~ A-e-ss 1tsaAr A.
months distant; and the census bu-
reau already has under consideration
the selection and appointment of not
to exceed 400 supervisors who VIII
have charge OF the 10000 euunera-
tors. The supervisory district WILL in
most cases, except In the largo cities,
have the same boundaries As tho con-
gresstonsl districts The supervisors,
under the law, are to be appointed
by tho secretary OF commerce upon
the recommendation OF the director of
tho census.
The following instructions have
been given by the secretary OF COM
rnerce TO the director Of the census
I'm regard to the procedure to be fol-
lowed In making selections and ap-
pointmerts of census supervisors:
Conforming to the assurances
given the president in my letter to
him Of March 3rd, you will please bs
guided by the following instructions
respecting appointment to the post OF
supervisor in connection with the taxi
ing of the fourteenth census OF tbs
United States:
"a test examination, Of which a
record will be kept, is to be required
for appointment to- the post Of super
visor. In addition tn this. a careful
personal inquiry In to be separately
made respecting the qualification OF
each candidate. OF this inquiry also
q record will BE- kept
TN making appotntme from
those who shalt have passed the test
examination and the separate inquiry
ss TO qualifications. preference is to he
given to those candidates who have
had executive. administrative. Stats
teal or accounting experience and to
those who have had charge OF bodies
OF men az administrators, provided In
all cases that men with the experience
stated possess the other qualifications
necessary
You VIII arrange tn give notice to
the above effect to every candidate ap-
plying for appointment and to his
sponsors. and no candidates are to be
selected for appointment who do not
pass both the test examination and
the personal inquiry.
You are requested to ask the civil
servtce commission to prepare the
blanks for the test examination or to
operate with you in the preparation
of them. You win welcome the as
sistance Of the civil service commits
sion In this and in any other respect
In which they can be helpful to you.
TT Is my earnest desire. as I know
It is your own. that this census shall
be an example in its quality. AZ well
az In its promptne@. I need hardly
say that neither result can be had un-
less the supervisors are selected with
special care to their individual fitness
for their task. / am depending on
you as tho responsible officer In imu1e-
date charge OF the work to see that
every precaution In taken to achieve
this result In particular, the appear
ance as we'll as the fact OF political
patronage are to be avoided and 1T
ness for the work to be done win be
the controlling factor in the appoint
ments."
The director Of the census has al
ready taken steps to carry out tho in
structions OF the secretary.
The supervisory duties WIN occupy
their time for tho greater part OF =
year, beginning about - 1. 1919.
Their compensation Wi be 1880
plus 81 for each thousand or major
fraction of a thousand of population
In an average-sized district, outside
n large city, will therefore be be-,
tween $I.7o0 and $500. Clerk hire
and other necessary expenses Will be
paid by the government.
All candidates for supervfsornhips
should address their applications to
the director OF the cenaus. Washing
ton, d. C..