Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-29


departments is necessary; that more
real business methods should be
adopted.
The report states that cit is incon-
ceivable that the government sta
ustics. which have grown up at ran
dom and which have developed in a
free-for-all fashion, without a central
or controlling purpose. could have
produced entirely satisfactory re-
suits"
1t is contended further that, after
a careful study of the problem, it is
readily seen by those familiar with
tons there must be some form Of
central clearing house. Regarding
this the report states:
Present System wasteful.
THE present system of several de-
partments sending out for informa.-
ticn, almost at the same time. is both
a waste Of money and very irritating
to the people of the country.
1.-The government should be the
greatest collector and compiler of
statistics. Many groups OF statistics
can be compiled only under govern
ment order and direction. On the
other hand, after these statistics are
collected and complied. no attempt
by government officials should be
made to interpret them"
Various specific recommendation
contained in the report are briefly
as follows:
THAT the different executive de-
compilation of the federal statistics
relating to their special work. This
means that the Agricultural Depart
ment should compile the statistics on
agricultural production; that the
Commerce Department compile the
a YicSy ~
the manufactured articles of agri-
cultural products: that the Labor De-
partment should continue the work
Of Its efficient bureau Of labor sta
tistics as relating to wages and de-
pendent subjects; that the Treasury
statistics, and that the various other
executive departments should have
similar privileges.
Would Avoid Duplication.
Duplication should be avoided and
no statistics should be compiled by
the various commissions which are
working independently Of the depart
ments The mineral statistics should
be transferred from the Interior De-
partment to the Commerce Depart
ment. The work Of the census bureau
should be thoroughly reorganized and
stimulated; this bureau should be
divided into two distinct groups-one,
the compilation OF precise ngureS on
population, and the other vital Stats
tics.
THE various statistical libraries
now scattered throughout the depart
ments should be combined into one
interdepartment statistical library.
For the purpose Of coordination there
should be appointed by the Presidents
cabinet a statistical librarian, who
will be in charge Of this statistical
library, and who will be directly under
the Presidents cabinet. serving all
equally and being amenable to no one
else.
This librarian would compile no
statistics himself, but would perform
three functions as follows: (a) Have
a knowledge Of all statistics being
compiled by the federal government,
whore they are located and by whom
they are being compiled. CD Have
the authority of interpreting the
law under which this reorganization
would take place and decide juris-
dictional conflicts between statisti-
clans of the various departments.
(c) Serve as a clearing house on all
missionaries sent out by different
departments. By this arrangement
before a department desired to send
out q QUESTIONABLE 1t would send the
same over to this librarian to make
sure that no other department was
sending the same or a similar ques-
tionaire."