Evening star., 1941-10-05
1912 Sample Census
Planned 10 Check on
Defense Migrdtions
Between IA and 5 Pct.
Of Population Would
Be Enumerated
By OLIVER MCKEE.

To meet the demands of defense
agencies for information on the shift
and growth of population since the
start of the armament program, and
for data for use in dealing with the
social and economic problems of
postwar reconstruction, the Census
Bureau is preparing plans for
sample census of the United States
in 1912, it was revealed yesterday.
The migration of population since
the start of the defense program has
exceeded in magnitude similar move
mentS for the proceeding 10 years,
according to Federal experts. Like
the District and nearby areas. hun
dreds of cities and towns have in
creased greatly in population during
the last year or so. No authentic
figures are available, however, to
show the exact growth of individual
cities. the extent of defense migra-
ton and the directions it has fol-
lowed and the degree to which rural
areas have contributed to the growth
Of industrial cities and other centers
Oh ueleISe pTCQuCIlOn.
The plan of the Census Bureau
calls for a sample census of between
2A and per cent of the popula-
ton, In recent years, Sampling
techniques have been perfected, and
census experts are confident that
these can be used to show the popu-
lation Of the United States. in
dividual States and larger cities with
high degree of accuracy.
Short QUESTIONABLE
In rural areas it is proposed to
take a sample count in a certain
number of census enumerat ton dis
trictS in each county. In urban
areas. the city block will provide
the basis for the count. In each
city the census will cover a certain
number of blocks. so chosen as to
give a representative picture of pop
ulation according to color, sex and
income status.
AS disclosed yesterday the 1912
sample census will aim to provide
up-to-the-minute information on
five major subjects. First, the total
population of the United States.
and that of individual States and
cities; second the extent of migra-
ton, and who the migrants are:
third, data on housing facilities, and
changes in rentals; fourth, the size
of the potential labor supply of the
United States, with statistics on en-
f71Nyrr1p0t
fifth, the changes in farm popula-
ton and agricultural production
that have taken place since the de-
cennial census on April l, 1870.
The 1912 QUESTIONABLE will be
streamlined, with only II or IS
questions. The 1910 population
schedule contained approximately
so questions and the housing ques-
tionnaire an additional 30
Though per cent sample will
permit an estimate of the total pop
ulation of the United States it will
not provide breakdown for cities
of less than 100000 population. If
2l2 per cent sample is used, pop
ulation breakdoWns probably will be
Results in Month.
The proposed sample census will
require only a week, and the pre-
liminary results will be announced
about month after the data has
reached Washington. A 5 per cent
sample count Of noses would cost
about S2,500000 and would require,
at a maximum. about 10000 field
enumerators. Approximately 10000
enumerators were used in the 1910
census.
The Census Bureau. at the request
of defense agencies, planned to take
special 10 per cent sample census
of the District and nearby areas ear
her this year. Following the refusal
of w, P. A. TO finance the count,
the project has been temporarily
shelved. The national sample CEN
sus. however, if carried out, will in
clude the District and will show the
growth of Washington and adjoin-
ing communities since April l, 1940
AS result of the influx of defense
workers, it is believed that the pop
ulation of the metropolitan District
Is now close to the million mark.
Plans for 1912 sample census
have been virtually completed For
several months Census Bureau eX-
perts have been studying proceed
ures and sampling techniques. If
the count is taken it will be the
first time that the Federal Govern
ment has made population census
between the regular decennial
periods.