The Durant News

Annual Sawmill Survey
Underway By Census

Lumber shortages which have existed since the latter part of the war make the results of the annual sawmill survey of the U. S. Bureau of the Census of prime importance, according to District Supervisor Mrs. Sally B. McNair with offices at Clarksdale.

Census enumerators under Supervisor McNair's direction have started canvassing sawmills in this area to gather reports of the current sawmill survey which this year is being taken as part of the 1947 Census of Manufacturers. The major part of the manufacturers census will be carried out by mail but all sawmills will be visited by Census Bureau field people since it is almost impossible to build up accurate mailing lists for this industry by reason of its mobility and the out-of-the-way locations of many sawmills.

Figures developed from the sawmill survey will include data on lumber production, value of shipments, number of sawmills, employment, wages, cost of materials, and related items. The lumber production information by species will be available by counties, making it especially useful for analyzing local conditions.

Supervisor McNair referred to a recent statement by Census Director Capt. which pointed out in the Census of Manufactures is mandatory. He emphasized that the same law which requires reporting also requires that all individual reports and figures submitted to the Census Bureau be held in strict confidence. Information reported to it cannot be used for purposes of regulation, investigation, or taxation because the Census Bureau, under the law, cannot reveal individual figures or other information to any person other than sworn employees of the Census Bureau.