The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-06-03
Census Again
in 1925 Likely

Of data by states and minor subdivis-
ions and the publication Of the census
abstract and finally the census report
for 1924. This will complete the "job"
and will probably be done by the end
Of the year. Then 1t Is probable that
instead of settling down to its minor
interdecennial census, 1t will be In
structed by congress to get itself
ready for three years more of national
'stocktaking.'
More than 100000 persons were en-
ployed in taking the present census.
In all, congress appropriated $23,500.-
900 for the three years of work. The
period covered In taking the census
was from July /, 1919, to June 80,
1921.
In 1918 and 1919, when congress
was appealed to for funds for the
work the members were warned that
the results would probably be unsat-
isfactory and that another census
might be necessary almost immedl-
ately. SO important was the census
considered, however, that congress de-
cided to take 1t at the regular time
set aside for II and then. IL necessary,
take following census.
Importance Of the Census.
Unless one studies the reports Of
the census figures he does not realize
how important IL Is for Uncle Sam
to count noses, first of all for reasons
of government and, secondly, for the
harmonizing Of our Industrial Gid so
clal life. The census, OF course, gives
fairly accurate figures of actual and
potential wealth throughout the coun-
try, which Is invaluable for tax pur-
poses.
Consider the plight the staff of the
army would have been I'm during the
war, as well as the rest Of the coun-
try, II 1t could not estimate either the
source of human or material supplies.
All the statistics of the government.
of labor and of business; all figures
used by insurance companies, banking
and agricultural statistics would be
vague guesses without the comprehen-
sive and approximately accurate ten
year tally made by the government as
u basis from which to compute.
When the government started COM
piling census figures in 1890 the work
Of enumerating the populace was In
trusted to II United States marshals.
and the actual enumeration was done
by $50 marshals' assistants. The fig
ures compiled were sent to the Pres
ident, who turned them over to the
secretary of state. In turn they were
transmitted to the printer and printed
In an octave volume Of SO pages.
There is striking contrast between
the first census report In book Of
SO pages by inches In size and
the hundred or more volumes In quar-
to (12 by inches) of approximately
10000 pages published as result of
the 1910 census.
The first census taking was fraught
with hardships, the enumerators max
ing journeys over unimprOved roads
In stages and on horseback. In fact,
some smaller communities were con-
sidered too Isolated to visit. Among
these were Detroit. and vincennes.
Ind. Western New York was a will
derness at that time. ElmIra and Bing-
hamton being only detached hamlets.
The chief data taken for the first
census related to the heads Of fam
lilies and other data were considered
as related to these family heads. Phil
adelphIa was the capital at the time.
This census showed the great metrop-
offs of New York with population
in those days of $4,000 inhabitants.
Even then It was the largest city in
the United States. But the state Of
New York ranked a poor fourth In
population in comparison with vir-
gInia, Pennsylvania and Massachu-
setts.
U. 8. Had s,ss3.ea5. In 1890.
The total population Of the United
states in 170O was registered as $685.
es5 persons. For 1920 the census fig
ures show total population Of 105,-
70S,771. or a percentage increase in
1870 years Of $500 per cent 10 ex-
pect the same relative increase in the
next 100 years would give us a porn-
lation in the year 2050 Of something
In excess of three and half billions.
But getting down to earth. It Is
rather easy to calculate from past his
tory what the population mark win