Page:LewisMeriam-TheProblemOfIndianAdministration.djvu/208
for use and that it does not make much difference whether they are or are not complete and accurate.
Special Statistical Projects. Although the effort should always be made to secure the necessary statistics as a by-product or joint product from the original records of the field workers, it will doubtless prove necessary to develop from time to time special statistical projects, notably in the case of the census. In the case of the census, coöpive relations should be developed with the Bureau of the Census. The chief statistician of the Indian Service should be the liaison officer to coöpe with the Census Bureau in perfecting a plan which will give that Bureau what it requires and at the same time supply the Indian Service with what it needs.
By close coöpion it should be possible for the Indian Service to secure data supplementing that ordinarily secured by the federal census with respect to Indians who are living away from reservations and not directly subject to supervision. A few questions additional to those already included in the general population schedule will furnish the basis for a really comprehensive study of the conditions of these Indians. Such a study is needed to judge of the degree of success or failure of the policy of turning Indians loose and to serve as a guide in efforts which doubtless should be made in several instances to get the Indians away from reservations which offer very limited economic opportunities. Such a study would also be illuminating in the matter of training and vocational guidance.
In connection with the taking of the federal census in the Indian country, a well considered determined effort should be made to use as enumerators Indians resident in the enumeration district and speaking the language of the people to be enumerated. Properly handled such a plan could be made of great interest to the Indians and an instrument for their education. Special instruction might well be given at the Indian schools covering not only the details of the work but also its purposes and practical uses. The Indian Service needs to seize every opportunity to utilize the services of Indians in matters relating to their own welfare and advancement and to concentrate their attention on their own progress. Much material will come from such a census that can be effectively used at the agencies and in the schools in showing how progressive