Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-17

give the number and size of farms In
all countries. the area and production
of important crops. and the number or
each kind of live stock by age and sex
classifications
In the Northern Hemisphere the
census will be taken after the crops OF
1929 are harvested, probably In the
early months of 1880. In the Southern
Hemisphere. where seasons are reversed,
the census will cover crop produc-
ton of the year beginning July 1, 1929.
and ending June 80, 1880. probably In
the early months of the Winter there.
Discussing the scope of the world
census, Mr. Estabrook said:
THE purpose of world agricultural
and live stock census is to obtain more
complete and comparable data regard
ing agriculture throughout the world.
something that has never been done
before and the need for which has
been felt, especially since the war, b.
all StatisticianS and economists. The
preliminary work of organization of
such a census was made possible by
an allotment of funds from the Inter-
national Education Board. small allot-
ment of funds. Office space and clerical
service by the institute at Rome, and
the loan of specialist BY the United
StdtSS Ocpdl tiilcIlL VI ASt4ClltuLC Will
contribution to his expenses.
"Of the 200 countries listed by the
institute. only so have ever taken an
agricultural census, and OF these less
than 40 have taken a census since
1900: of these 40 not more than 8 or ::
by mere chance happened to take their
censrseS in the same year.
THE preliminary work of the world
agricultural census began in 1925 with
a study of all agricultural censuses
that have been taken since 1900. A
program and relatively simple standard
form of census QUESTIONABLE were pre-
pared and approved by the General As
Sembly of the institute early in 1926,
and copies were sent to all governments
OF the world, with q request for their
corporation"
Mr. Estabrook Immediately began to
visit the capitals OF IS many countries
as could be reached before 1880. with
a view TO interviewing ministers of
agriculture. directors of statistical
bureaus and other responsible officials,
IN order to explain the details and
methods OF the proposed census and
win their cooperation and good will
During 1926 he visited all countries of
Europe, and in the Winter of 1861
visited the northern countries of
Africa Palestine and Syria.
In 1927 he visited Canada, United
States, the principal islands Of the
West Indies Panama. Hawaii, Japan,
Formosa. Korea. North and South
China. Indo-China. the Philippines,
Borneo, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1928 he visited the Celebes. the
Federated Malay States, Siam, Burma,
India, Arabia. French Somaliland,
Abyssinia. Zanzibar. Madagascar, Mo-
zambique. Union Of South Africa.
Brazil. Uruguay. Argentina. Chile and
Peru in time to return to Rome for tbs
meeting of the General Assembly cary
in october.
In addition to the countries visited.
arrangements were made through the
colonial Offices of Great Britain,
France Spain. Portugal. Italy and Bel
GUM to take the initiative in bringing
about a census In the colonial ana
mandate territories under their jur1s-
diction.
In all countries visited the respon-
sible officials took great interest In the
proposed census and promised the ut
most cooperation possible. The result
to date is that the countries visited and
the colonies and mandate territories
controlled by them constitute approx
mately 80 per cent of the surface OF
the Aobe., 95 per cent of its population
and probably SO per cent OF its agri-
culture.
THE committee on production at the
diplomatic conference on economic
statistics of the League OF Nations at
Geneva last Summer Endorsed the in
stitute census project and recommended
general censuses Of agriculture, Of
scope similar to that proposed by the
International Institute of Agriculture,
to be taken If possible in respect OF the
closing year of each decade, that Is, IN
respect of 1890, 1940 1850. and so on,
or for years as near as possible to these
dates"
The Census Bureau has become
known as Uncle Sans statistical clear
ing house In addition to population
censuSes. weekly reports on deaths in so
cities are made. monthly reports on au-
tomobile fatalities on streets and high
ways of principal cities. annual reports
on births and deaths. marriage and
divorce. and a volume of other social
and economic data. Information on
industrial activities ranges from the
monthly production of boots and
shoes to the volume of wool stocks held
by manufacturers and dealers.
The original records of the population
cenSuses running back to 1890 are kept
In the bureau archives and are refer
ence source for genealogiSts and law
yers seeking to establish family lineage.
Thus by diligent search family tree
in America may be constructed back to
days. and Government
certificate of authenticity obtained. The
possible loss of these valuable records
fire in the flimsy temporary
building In which they are kept has
been the frequent subject of congress
sional debate. but a situation which
will soon be remedied by the extensive
building project of the Government.
The proposal now Is for thoroughly
archives building where these
and other Government records of his
torical value may be preserved. There
would be housed. In these archives, also.
a complete pictorial record in notien-
picture film Of the World War. both Oh
land and sea. taken by Army and Navy
aces flying over the scenes Of batrie. = \