Census

A new edition of best-selling books will be published this year –– the 1960 census records. These heavy volumes will fill a five-foot shelf and will be eagerly awaited by business and government agencies.

The primary reason for a census is to count the people in order to determine the number of representatives which each state may send to Congress. There will certainly be some adjustments and West Virginia stands likely to be adjusted. The first United States census was taken in 1790. The Constitution had been adopted in 1787 and provided that the enumeration should be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress and within every subsequent term of 10 years. It took a year-and-a-half to collect answers to the first census –– four-million people scattered from Georgia to Maine westward to the Mississippi. These four million included half- a- million slaves.

The results of the first census were to be put up in two public places in each division, but this was later changed and today all information is held confidential by law. Every enumerator is under oath to keep confidential every item he records. Most of the information will be fed into huge electronic machines that will make completely impersonal totals.

Car manufacturers, the clothing industry, home builders –– these and many others depend on information concerning income groups, number of people in different age groups, labor supply, distribution of people, types of homes, how they are heated, etc. The uses and users of census figures are endless.

Careful planning is necessary to count all the people. Maps are prepared to show in detail the district each enumerator is to cover. Persons visiting those in the Armed Forces, abroad, on ships, in jail or prison –– all are counted. A special Transient Night is set so that on one certain night all enumerators throughout the country visit hotels, motels, rooming houses, bus, railway and train stations, airports, etc.

This 18th Decennial Census will count approximately 45 times the count in 1790. They anticipate a population of 180 million.

A new feature this year will be the advanced census form to be mailed to each household during March. This should be filled in carefully for every member of the household, and the enumerator will collect it when he calls. At every fourth household the enumerator will leave an additional blank for more detailed information.

These facts, assembled, will give a picture of the people of the United States.

Snow

Snow, snow and more snow. With the cold holding the snow of the week before on many roads, there just wasn’t room for more snow. But Wednesday night and Thursday came 13 to 17 inches more of it, and then the wind began to blow. On Friday more roads were closed than open, with 219 blocked by huge drifts between Lewisburg and Renick, hence no mail. No school Thursday through Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon there is still just one-way traffic between Slaty Fork and Elk Mountain. Jerico Road is blocked by a drift near Frank McLaughlin’s that is 40 feet deep and about 300 feet long; and at Dogtown above Woodrow the road is still blocked with a drift estimated 25 feet deep. The Beard Road was closed a couple of days, and on Back Mountain and other places in the upper part of the county bulldozers battled drifts 10-12 feet high. The continuing cold, with temperatures down to 22 below zero Tuesday, hampered the work.

A snow-blowing machine has been promised by the District Road Office. Part of the difficulty had been that there just isn’t any place to push the snow.

About two years ago we had a similar storm but the road workers seem to think this was a little worse.

Basketball

Marlinton advanced to the finals of the Regional Tournament by defeating Sandstone 78 to 53 but lost to Rainelle on Tuesday by the score of 78 to 63.

ALPINE THEATRE

“Raw Edge”

Rory Calhoun ~ Yvonne DeCarlo

“The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters”

Leo Gorcey ~ Huntz Hall

“Say One For Me”

Bing Crobsy ~ Debbie Reynolds

“Warlock”

Richard Widmark ~ Anthony Quinn

DEATHS

Mrs. Josie R. McLaughlin, age 75, of Minnehaha Springs.

Rose A. Birchfield, age 57, of Frost.

Ira H. Irvine, age 84, of Edray.

BIRTHS

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. McManaman, of Mace, a daughter.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. James C. Ryder, of Huntersville, a daughter named Cheryl Ann.