The New York herald., 1921-04-17

virtually completed 1t looks as though
Congress would have to dig down into
the pockets OF the Treasury for $780,
100000 more to repeat the operation
In 1925. 1t took S23, 100000 to take
the fourteenth decennial census, the
census that started three years ago,
the totals OF which are now being
compiled. The fifteenth census will
probably have to drop the term decen-
nial, for it now appears that It viii
have to be started within the next
year or two II the country Is to have
any reliable statistics, and II this is
the case it will be the first break In
the long line OF stock takings" Uncle
Sam has indulged in every ten years
since 1890
The truth about the 1920 census is
that for this year, last year and next
year its figures are invaluable, but for
the remaining eight years intervening
between this and the next census, ex-
perts declare, It's figures will be worth
little more than their own historical
and Intrinsic phenomenal value. That
Is to say, they cannot be used for the
year to year computations that the
Government and the industries of the
country are accustomed to making.
The fourteenth decennial census was
taken on the regular periodic occasion
set aside since 1890 for taking the ma,
tional census. In 1920 that proved for
the first time to be an unfortunate and
not propitious occasion. OF course 1t
was the war that was toTplame. For
the six years previous to 1920 i'm
migration had not only been restricted
BECAUSE of the war in Europe, but an
unusual number Of our recent immi-
grants returned to their native homes
and armies to take part In the war.
Upward Swing I'm All Lines.
Added to this, industrial conditions
early became upset in this country.
Our munitions and Industrial plants
took on gigantic and actually gro
tesque capacities and they were flooded
abnormally with labor. Even tho per
capita wealth of the country swung
we'll over toward the golden era dur.
ing this period.
The contrast OF unemployment, d.
rnfnishing wealth Of the mass of the
ing flood of immigration witnessed DUR
ing the last six months is the best ex-
ample OF how useless the figures taken
On 1920 will be a year or two from now.
Yet even this condition will not be per-
manent. In a year or two the country
hopes to be back to its normal stride.
The figures Of the last few years will
furnish splendid concrete example for
the future Of what TO expect in times Of
great social upheavals. such as the world
war. but statistics that are to serve the
country as a normal guide for its legis-
lative and business activities In times Of
peace must be taken in the normal days
Of peace.
Tho great bulk of the present census
has been completed. The Census Bu-
reau has already published the total
population Of the United States, there
being 105,7OS.771 souls accounted for
throughout the United States. This rep
resents an increase of 13,736.505 In
habitants. or 14.s per cent. increase OF
population since 1910. 1t has even
moved the imaginary point representing
the centre of population" from Bloom
tngton. Ind. to a point 9.s miles west
and about one-fifth of a mile north,
where 1t is now flxed In the little town
Of Spencer, Ind.
Little Work Yet to He Done.
All that remains to be done Is the
computation of the statistics In hand
for various special data, the totalling OF
data by States and minor subdivisions
and the publication OF the census alb
stract and finally the census report for
1920. This will complete the Job" and
viii probably be done by the end OF the
year. Then II Is probable that iustead
OF settling down to its minor interdecen-
nisd census, IL win be instructed by Con-
gress 70 get itself ready for three years
more OF national "stocktaking."
More than 100000 persons were en-
ployed In taking the present census,
about $1,000 men and women being en-
xaged In collecting data from house TO
house and from factory to factory. This
field force was supplemented by from
10000 to $4,000 supervisors In each
State and the clerical forces OF each
supervisor, In addition to an army of sew
eral thousand tabulators. statisticians.
mechanics and clerks In the Office OF the
Census Bureau in Warrington. In all
Congress appropriated s23,5O0,Q00 for the
three years Of work. The period covered
in taking the census was from Jgly /.
1919. TO June 80. 1921.
In 1918 and 1919. when Congress was
appealed TO for funds for the work the
would probably be unsatisfactory and
that another census might be necessary
almost Immediately. So important was
the census considered. however, that
Congress decided to take IL az the regu-
lar time eet aside for II and then, II
necessary. take n following census.
Importance of tho Census.
Unless one studies the reports OF the
census figures he does not realize how
important Il In for Uncle Sam to count
noses, frst of all for reasons Of govern
ment and secondly for the harmonizing
of our Industrial and social life. The
census, OF course, gives fairly accurate
figures OF actual and potential wealth
throughout the country, which Is invalu4
able for tax purposes.
Consider the plight the star OF the
army would have been In during the
war. as we'll az the rest OF the country,
n II could not estimate either the source
OF human or material supplies. All the
statistics OF the Government. OF labor
and or business all figures used by in
surance companies, banking and agri-
cultural statistics would be vague
ruesses without the comprehensive and
approximately accurate ten year tally
made by the Government an a basis from
which 10 computa
rwhnx, tha C,over.nu,snt nfarfad ror,-