The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-12-04

this disturbing book is Errors in
Official United States Area Fig
ures. The author is the hghtin'est
man in Michigan, former go, ernor
Chase s. Osborn.
The census director IS new since
the last census. His predecessor
William Lane Austin, knew the
governor we'll from the lombard
ment Of letters. evidence, and re
quests for Michigan's true size be
officially admitted. The Osborn
figure is $500 square miles. The
Census figure 57022 square miles.
The difference is the water C39,69S)
which is ignored in the L. S. Of
fetal Census.
Maybe that doesn't seem import,
ant to MiChiganders, although any
one with a whifs Of state pride
would like Michigan, instead OF
Georgia. 10 be known a the largest
state east Of the Mississippi But
there are practical reasons too.
Federal aid TO highways Is based
on area. The larger the area the
larger the fund.
There's faint hope that the new
director may mean a New Deal on
the census front. Known as fair
minded. Director Capt, is the type
TO review a situation eNhaustively
and has the courage TO make
change il convinced. or course. he
isn't the only one to be sold
Several other agencies. including
the Bureau Of Public Roads. can
make recommendations Congress,
Of course, could jolly we'll tell Di-
rector Capt to make the change 80.
Necessarily cautious at this time,
the director says: 81 have examined
Governor Osborn's book with inter.
est and it is apparent he has done
great deal of work in its Compila-
ton. AS 10 the area reports of the
1910 census these have long since
been completed and published.
With respect TO the 1850 census.
the Census Bureau will be glad TO
review the Michigan matter just
as il will review all other phases
OF census taking in advance OF the
next decennial census This is
probably more encouragement than
II would seem since It makes clear
that the new director is not going
TO he bound by the decisions Of the
past.
But one thing is certain, Direc.
tor Capt. hasn't heard the last OF
this project to which Michigans
governor and his daughter. Stella
nova have devoted such painstak-
inE and convincing efforts.
The book should be required
reading in every public school in
Michigan. say Osborn's many
friends, so that the young fry OF
the state can see the stun Of which
the oldtimers were made, II for no
other reason.
Congressman Paul Shafer sees
merit in the American Legion plan
for compulsory military training
which would "integrate the youth
Of America into the national pre-
paredness set-up.' The approval OF
the Battle Greek Republican Is sig
nifiCant as he is a member OF the
House Military Affairs Committee.
And this same Michigan con.
gresham says the Army Navy.
and Marine Corps have made a
farce Of the so-called point system
for discharges. They have made
a mockery Of the plan through the
granting OF discharges to sons Of
generals, movie actors. football
players, and other low.point favor
ties. Shafer hlames the majority
OF members OF Congress who are
doing nothing to correct the situa.
ton He referred to the three
discharge petitions that need more
signatures TO bring certain cura.
tive legislation to the floor.
There's been so much said about
the dire need for doctors in certain
Michigan communities that it's no
wonder that Congressman Earl
Kitchener told the House about