Milford chronicle., 1954-12-31
The 1854 Census
Of Manufacturers
CONTINUED from page one)

~ til5 utSL 10 De taken since l9A7.
The law under which it is conduct
ed provides for such a census to be
taken every five years. In the past,
however, the intervals have varied.
The first Census of Manufactures
covered the year 1909 and a census
was taken at 10-year intervals in
connection with the decennial Cen
sus Of Population up to and includ-
ing 1899, with the exception of
1929 when it was omitted. 1t was
conducted at 5-year intervals from
1904 through 1919, and then every
other year from 1921 through 1889.
The Census Of Manufactures was
suspended during the period of
World War III and then next was
taken to cover 1947. After denying
funds for a Census covering 1853.
Congress allocated funds for the
census to be taken in 1855 cover
ing 1854.
What inquiries will be made in
the 1854 Census of Manufactures
Common inquiries for all indus
trial establishments will include
plant Identification, kind of indus
try, employment, payrOlls, hours
of work, cost of materials cOnsum-
ed, power equipment, water con-
sumption, and value of products
shipped. Product and materials in
quiries will vary by kind of indus
try and to that end more than 200
different report forms, each "tail-
Ored to fit a specific industry or
closely related Industries will be
used.
Why is the cooperation Of all
manufacturers essential to the sue
cess Of the Census Of Manufactures?
Accuracy and completeness of
totals to be compiled by the Bu-
reau Of the Census depend entirely
on the accuracy and completeness
of reports of each manufacturer.
By answering inquiries accurately,
completely and promptly, the manu-
facturer saves time for himself as
well as expense for his govern
ment.
Who will file reports?
Early in 1855, report forms will
be sent to all establishments en-
gagged in the business Of manufac-
turing. The census will be con
Quoted entirely by mail. Results
will be tabulated and published by
the Bureau of the Census to pro-
vide summary information about all
manufacturing activity in the Uni
ted States. Census law provides
that there be no disclosure Of pri-
vate information. All employees Of
the Bureau Of the Census who will
have contact with material furnish
ed in the Census of Manufactures
are sworn to secrecy. In no in
stance will information on indi-
vidual firms be published. Census
facts are used only for compiling
totals by Industries for the entire
United States, states, counties, cit
les and standard metropolitan
areas.
What will Census of Manufac-
lures reports cover?
Census of Manufactures reports
viii present data, for separate in
classified by states, coun-
ties, standard metropolitan areas
and cities. The census will report
on the production Of several thou
sand important commodities.
Do business mems organizations
look with favor on the taking Of a
Census of Manufactures at this
time?
Business mems organizations
with membership in all sections of
-he country and representative of
all segments of the manufacturing
industry have given their fullest
to the forthcoming
Census of Manufactures, and have
strongly urged business leaders to
prepare their reports accurately
and to file them promptly. Includ-
ed among these business mems or
ganizatiOns are: Advisory Council
on Federal Reports, American
Chamber of Commerce Executives,
Retail Federation, Amer
lean Trade Association Executives,
Chamber of Commerce of the Uni
ted States, Controllers Institute of
America, National Association of
Manufacturers and the National In
dustrial Council.
The compelling need for new
benchmark data on manufactures
is indicated by a recent report of
the Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States which stated that a
million jobs and S13 billion. in new
capital will have to be provided eY-
cry year for the next two decades
to take care Of the nations pOpula-
tiOn growth. 1t estimated additions
to the labor force will amount to
10000 a week. The study by the
National Chamber, entitled "In-
vestments for Jobs" stressed the
need of encouragement Of risk cap
ital The report pointed out that
the average investment in manu-
lacturipg industries now stands at
Sl3,2Sl per production worker and
viii probably increase from that
amount in the years ahead.
Information collected by the Bu-
reau Of the Census can be of inn
help to statisticians,
economists and business leaders.
Compilation Of statistics in the
Of 1854 will place eco
nomic factors involved in their
proper perspective so that by util-
izing indexes based on census facts
a proper assessment can be made
Of the capital needs Of the various
industries to meet the challenge Of
a constantly expanding business
activity.