At the end of this time, after we have evaluated how well this information serves our needs, we may or may not be back for a further action on this subject. We will be glad to supply any additional information which the Committee may request." For our deliberations, we would like to know the (a) scope of the project on the evaluation of the use of administrative records for small area data needs; (b) the cost; (c) the staff assigned to this project; (d) the working relationships between other Federal agencies and non-federal institutions, if any; and most importantly (e) the date by which the evaluation will be completed. In response to an inquiry at our hearings, Dr. Brown stated that the Bureau of the Census would need 30 months in order to prepare for a complete enumeration census. With this in mind, we would need to submit mid-decade legislation by no later than January 1972, and earlier, if possible in order to possibly realize the passage of such legislation by both Houses before the summer recess. Therefore. I am sure you can visualize the need for urgency. If a competent judgment on the evaluation of the use of administrative records could be rendered by early January 1972 then the Subcommittee would be most interested in reviewing it. However, if such a report will not be available, then we may have to take action without the benefit of such information. May I thank you for your attention to this request and, if at all possible, it would be most helpful if I could receive a reply by September 24. Very truly yours, CHARLES H. WILSON, Chairman. THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your letter of September 13 concerning mid-decade census legislation. We are happy to report on the status of our research on the use of administrative records. (a) Scope of current project. The experimental program for this year is designed mainly to provide evidence on the reliability of population estimates that can be developed for places of 50,000 to 500,000 population, using a combination of IRS tax file data to measure net migration and reported vital statistics. For this purpose we have selected 20 areas (cities, counties and towns) for which actual data on population change between 1968 and 1970 are available from special censuses conducted in late 1967 or 1968 and the 1970 census. For each of these areas we are preparing independent estimates of population change using IRS tax returns for 1967 and 1969 (tax year) and the reported births and deaths for these areas. This phase of the project is constrained by (a) the years for which complete IRS tax files were available to us on computer tape; (b) the limited number of areas for which actual population change figures were available as standards against which to evaluate the estimates results; and (c) the need to complete the research in a relatively short period of time. A second phase of this year's test study will make use of tax records for 1965 and 1969. This part of the test is designed to obtain as much data as possible in the time available on the overall comparability and reliability of IRS-derived State migration patterns and those obtained in the 1970 census (for the 1965-70 period). Other sources for development of migration data or other measures useful for population estimation will also be considered. If successful, the use of administrative records would be supplemented in 1975 by a substantial size sample survey (perhaps on the order of 2 percent of the population) which would, by itself. provide reasonably accurate estimates of the population size and characteristics for States and other larger areas. (b) The project is estimated to cost $500,000 this fiscal year. (c) A major portion of the cost is associated with the purchase of computer faves from IRS and with the processing of the records for individual households. The equivalent of five full-time professional and three statistical clerks are now involved on a regular basis. A planning group assigned to develop this project consists of: Richard A. Hornseth, Staff Assistant, Population Division; William T. Fay, Acting Chief, Geographic Planning Staff; Thomas B. Jabine, Chief, Statistical Research Division; Herman P. Miller, Chief, Population Division; Joseph Wakesberg, Chief, Statistical Methods Division; and Meyer Zitter, Assistant Chief, Population Division. The Director of the Bureau and the Associate Director for Demographic Fields are ex-officio members of the planning group. Robert B. Pearl, Office of Management and Budget also serves as liaison with the planning group. (d) Most of the basic data come from Federal agencies; some of the vital statistics will be compiled from State sources, mainly State Departments of Health, when the necessary information is not available from the appropriate Federal sources. A small, but separate phase of the study will involve evaluation of data from a non-Government source (data from R. L. Polk's city directories). (e) You will recall that when Dr. Brown appeared before the Committee in June, he stated that the study of the administrative records would require 12 months. It is clear from the work that has already been done that his time estimate was correct. The processing and compilation of the initial experiment should be completed by July 1972; the evaluation shortly thereafter. If you wish further information on this subject, please let me know. Sincerely, Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, MAURICE H. STANS, Secretary of Commerce. UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, U.S. House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CHARLES: I appreciate the opportunity to make my views known on the necessity and desirability of a mid-decade census. There is a compelling need for a mid-decade census. This mechanism is vital to the growing demands of our technological and scientific oriented society. It would give us an accurate data base from which to make crucial economic and social decisions. And it would provide governmental units with the up-to-date figures so critical to effective public service. I am disappointed at the reluctance of the Nixon Administration to accept the Congressional recommendation for a mid-decade census. The benefits are clear. The success of many Administration programs depends upon timely census data. I do not believe that we can continue to make decisions on information that is six to ten years out of date. I do not believe that a country that is growing as rapidly as ours can gauge the impact of population on housing needs, on education demands, on welfare expenditures, on mass transit systems, or on public facilities without current data of the kind that a mid-decade census would provide. The Census Bureau already does as good a job as it can with its population surveys. But, while surveys can give broad national and regional data, they cannot provide the detail nor the specific information we need on small cities, counties, or states. Finally, I am aware that this project will cost about $140 million. But, I look upon this money as an investment-the kind of investment that will repay in public policy guidance many times its initial cost. Sincerely, HUBERT H. HUMPHREY. UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, Washington, D.C., August 4, 1971. Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, DEAR MR. WILSON: Thank you for your letter regarding recent developments on establishment of a mid-decade census series. I appreciate knowing of your continued interest in this matter, and I shall continue to support such a census. Sincerely. ABE RIBICOFF. UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS, Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your recent correspondence concerning the mid-decade census. I appreciate your reviewing for me what has transpired so far in your efforts to secure this much-needed survey. I definitely remain committed to my bill S. 2085 and, as such, will do what I can to obtain Administration support for it. I believe that we are making some headway in this regard. I hope that you will continue to keep me informed on this matter. With warm regards, I am Sincerely yours, JOHN G. TOWERS. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, The PRESIDENT, The White House, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I am writing to express to you my unqualified support for the proposed mid-decade census and to respectfully urge you to review the Administration opposition to pending legislation to authorize a special census in 1975. The arguments in favor of this legislation are well known and have been advanced by literally hundreds of witnesses who appeared before the House Subcommittee on Census and Statistics of the Post Office and Civil Service Committee during the past two and one-half years. In fact every witness who appeared during those hearings testified in support of the mid-decade census. State and local officials are particularly concerned with this legislation because so much federal aid, approximately $10 billion annually, is distributed on the basis of outdated census information. In light of this unusual unanimity of expert witnesses and the substantial support within the Congress for the proposal, I urge an immediate review of the recently announced Administration opposition to the legislation. It is my hope that such a review will lead to the passage of a mid-decade census bill in time to implement the new law to assure that a new census is taken in 1975. Sincerely, JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Chairman, Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, DEAR CHARLIE: I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me your letter of July 6 concerning the mid-decade Census. As you know, I have generally been in favor of this proposal but with certain reservations. 1. There should be an express prohibition against using it for redistricting purposes. I think the country is experiencing too many changes in Congressional redistricting. It is getting to the point where the people have an honest difficulty in knowing their district and their Congressman. I think it is very important that redistricting be limited only to the decade Census. 2. I still feel that there are too many mandatory questions and I would not want to support the mid-decade census unless it recognized the position I took at the very first concerning voluntary questions on everything except headcount enumeration. After all that is the reason I became interested in the Census. Before contacting the Administration, I would like to have a chat with you on this subject and will make it a point to see you in the near future and arrange for a discussion on this topic. With personal regards, Sincerely, JACKSON E. BETTS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DEAR CHAIRMAN WILSON: Enclosed is a copy of my letter to the President with regard to the mid-decade census. Best wishes, and my thanks for your continued interest in this matter. Sincerely, DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: AS a sponsor of H.R. 8192, one of the several mid-decade census bills presently before the House Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, I would like to express to you my disappointment at the refusal of the Bureau of the Census to recommend a mid-decade census. In the light of extensive and expert testimony from city, county and state officials and the general enthusiasm for the concept at all levels of government, I would respectfully request that a complete reconsideration of the Bureau's position be undertaken immediately. While I am quite aware of the great cost involved with any such idea and recognize the special economic situation that now exists across this nation, I remain convinced that the benefits of a mid-decade census will more than outweigh its costs. Indeed, there is a very large probability that the potential savings to the government from the distribution of Federal funds will exceed the $140 million cost of the program. To my mind that is sound economics. Moreover, I would suggest that there is a definite place for a mid-decade census in the context of your Administration's revenue sharing proposals. If we expect smaller jurisdictions to assume greater responsibility in the decision-making process of government, it would seem only fair that the Federal government provide those supportive mechanisms necessary to the proper exercise of that responsibility. Surely a mid-decade census is one of those mechanisms. Finally, I would point out that Census Director Brown's statement of June 10 marked an abrupt reversal of the Commerce Department's previous position on the mid-decade census. I doubt that the situation has changed so much in six months as to disqualify Mr. Stans' assertion of November 30, 1970 that "this Administration has already given its endorsement to a five-year census." In fact, with all the enthusiasm generated by that assertion, the endorsement of the executive branch would seem to be more than ever necessary. Once again, let me reiterate my firm hope that the Bureau's position on the mid-decade census will be thoroughly evaluated and reconsidered. The need for this legislation has never been greater. Respectfully, WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. CHARLES H. WILSON, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., September 13, 1971. Chairman, Subcommittee on Census and Statistics, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN WILSON: Last Thursday I introduced legislation to provide for a mid-decade census. The bill, H.R. 10560, is identical to the one which the House passed in the 90th Congress. In view of your letter of July 6, 1971, soliciting support for the mid-decade census from persons who have supported it in the past, I thought it might be useful to have a copy of the remarks I made when I introduced the bill. Mr. BROTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in the 90th Congress the House passed legislation to establish a middecade census commencing in 1975. I was a sponsor of that legislation which, unfortunately, never won approval in the other body. Today I am submitting a proposal like the one the House passed in the 90th Congress. When the census was conceived, it was adequate for the Nation's needs. But today, with a highly mobile and fast-growing population, it simply is not adequate. Typically, it is badly in error 5 years after it is taken. This is particularly harmful in States which are gaining population more rapidly than the national average. The rapid growth of my own district, the Second District of Colorado, is a stunning example of this situation. According to the 1960 census, there were 438,974 persons, a number slightly above the national average for congressional district populations. However, by the 1970 census, the second district, which consists of six counties encompassing the suburbs of Denver, showed a population of 718,942. This makes the district the largest and well over the national average. Because of our shifting and changing population, because of the movement of people from the great core cities to the suburban cities and unincorporated areas and from the rural areas of the metropolitan areas, we need a middecade census. Information wihch can be supplied only by a census is needed to fairly administer both State and Federal Government programs. The same information can be equally important to private industry in developing new technology and marketing data. At the present time, Mr. Speaker, more and more Federal assistance programs are being geared toward lending greater support to more populous areas. For these programs to succeed, it is imperative that the population statistics used by government agencies be as accurate as possible. The American people are becoming even more mobile. One out of every five Americans moves each year. Statistically, that means all of the people will change their residence during a 5-year period. If government is to assist people, it must have a fairly accurate notion of where the people are. What revenue sharing becomes a reality, and I am hopeful that that will not be too far into the future, a quinquennial census will be even more necessary. When preliminary estimates of the distribution of general revenue sharing were released earlier in the year, I was shocked to discover that three cities in my district, with populations between 28,000 and 93,000, were not listed. The three cities had been incorporated during the decade of the sixties, and as far as the Federal Government was concerned, they did not exist yet. The Census and Statistics Subcommittee of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee has already held extensive hearings on the need for a middecade census. In introducing legislation today, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the distinguished members of the subcommittee of my appreciation for the work they have already done, and to urge them to report a bill at an early date so that the first middecade census can be taken in 1975. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Hon. RICHARD M. NIXON, The President, The White House. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I am writing to express my deep interest in a middecade census. I feel this information is vitally needed to plan the important |