Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-05
POLITICAL CENSUS
Jobs PROTESTED
U. S. Chamber of Commerce
Opposes Usual System
of Patronage.

The desire Of the Census Bureau to
remove as much as possible the infiu-
ence of personal and partisan politics
in the appointment of census taking
officers is leading to monumental
change in the method by which the
fifteenth census, covering population
and agriculture will be taken soon.
Members of congress, VINO heretofore
have been able to obtain appointments
to Salaried positions for constituents
as supervisors and enumerators-are
understood to have been requested no,
to recommend anybody to William Nj.
Steuart, director of the census. In
stead. these places are to be filed, for
the most part, on the recommendation
of local Chambers of Commerce
throughout the country
One effect of this contemplated plan
Is to remove from the realm of politi-
cal patronage 546 supervisor positions
and tnnumerable appointments as
enumeratorS, both of which carry good
pay for work done in few weeks.
Serious objections have been inter-
posed by some Senators and Repre-
sentatives and in some States, local
party organizations have protested.
Director Steuart, however, is repre-
Sented as of the opinion that by hold
ing the demonstrating officers to as
strict standard of qualification as
be more comprehensive and accurate.
Date for Start Unset.
The date for beginning the work of
determining the population of the
ever-groWing Nation. and the number
of its farms, has not been set. A
House bill set the date at May l, 1880,
but the Senate changed the date to
November /, 1929, and the two Houses
did not reach an agreement before
adjournment.
Meanwhile the United States Cham
Der of Commerce disregarding the atti-
tude Of members of Congress, has sent
out letters to local bodies over the name
of D. A. Skinner. secretary.
I'm the past there has been criticism
of the census on the part of chambers
of commerce and Others the letter
said. There ought to be no occasion
for such criticism, and there will be
none If the Census Bureau can get the
right kind of men to supervise its
enumeration"
Outlining the responsibilities of the
supervisors, the letter describes the re-
muneIaJon, as IOltoWS:
1920 Salaries Cited.
''At the census of 1920 each super
visor received a lump sum of $500
and in addition thereto 81 for each
1000 of population enumerated In his
district. and the aggregate pay of the
supervisors averaged $1,760. The COM
pensations have not been fixed for the
coming census, but it is probable that
the aggregate amount will not differ
greatly from what 1t was in 1920.
ut is evident in order to insure a
correct census it is necessary to secure
the services of competent, reliable men
to act as supervisors. men OF admins
trative ability who are willing to make
some sacrifice in the public interest and
are in position to give undivided at
tention to the work for the short period
of time required.
Here is an opportunity for chambers
Of commerce to express their interest
in an accurate census by assisting In
finding competent men to act as super
visors. A proper procedure would be to
ascertain the availability of one or more
qualified men In your supervisory dis
trict to act as supervisor and then
to send your suggestion to the director
of the census, 4"
A suggestion OF just how far the
United States Chamber of Commerce
purposes to take the census out of
politics Is had in the concluding para
graph of the letter.
I'm seeking qualified man. 1t might
be well for your board to consider the
possibility of getting one Of your bust
ness concerns to release enough Of the
time of one of its executives to under
take this work. Since your chambers
interest in this matter Is solely from
the viewpoint of insuring for your COM
munity an accurate census enumeration,
you are In position to persuade a
competent man to allow you to recon-
mend him to undertake the work as
public spirited contribution on his part