NEW YORK, N.Y., August 14, 1967. Hon. JACKSON E. BETTS, In reply to your letter of August 9, I would like to say that our refusal rate from the general public of answers to our questions has been very small . . . less than 5% on the average. I feel sure that if a census enumerator were to ask any sort of question of the general public, an answer would be given without the threat of punishment. The mere fact that the enumerator was representing the government would be sufficient to give even greater attention to the questions than if she were coming from a private research company. I doubt whether many people now realize that they would be penalized for failure to answer the questions. LEE ANDREWS, President, Andrews Research, Inc. A third view expressed by these market research experts was that the mandatory nature of decennial census questions may even distort the accuracy of such reports. I agree with this thesis. To demand compliance from a citizen is meaningless if the information given is not accurate or complete. WEST END, N.J., August 15, 1967. Hon. JACKSON E. BETTS, Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C.: Mandatory compliance in Census Bureau surveys may yield responses that are neither reliable nor honest. Private market research organizations, if they are any good at all, will be able to do two things that would help the Census Bureau (1) Use qualified people who will be able to secure cooperation from respondents; (2) validate the results obtained, so that it will be really useful. Mrs. MIRIAM EISENBERG, Motivation Analysis, Inc. CHICAGO, ILL., Hon. JACKSON E. BETTS, Washington, D.C.: The point was raised in your letter about whether government identification helps survey responses. Let me say emphatically, "no". We find that our refusal rate as a private survey company generally runs well below 7 percent. Equally important, we think government identification on many surveys produces a strong bias which may produce seriously misleading data. DAVID K. HARDIN, President, Market Facts, Inc. ST. LOUIS, Mo., Congressman JACKSON E. BETTS, Washington, D.C.: Under most circumstances voluntary information has more reliable, usable response than forced answers. Obviously voluntary answers cannot be obtained from the total market. However sampling techniques can be used which do give a high degree of statistical reliability to the total answers obtained. ROY ST. JEAN, Edward G. Doody & Co. Several of the firms from whom I received replies are or have been Government contractors. It is clear from their statements they are satisfied with the techniques of research using only voluntary questioning and that the Federal department or agency for whom they undertook the project believed such an approach is sound. In a real sense, then, we find Federal agencies using private contractors who must employ only voluntary data gathering techniques and the Bureau of the Census relying largely on compulsory methods. I think this inconsistency should be fully explored. Here are excerpts of letters on this point: Hon. JACKSON E. BETTS, PHILADELPHIA, PA., August 9, 1967. Certain private marketing research firms such as Chilton Research Services are conducting and do indeed have, the particular research capability and technical qualifications to conduct nationwide surveys among such highly specialized populations as engineers, psychiatrists, educators, and farmers, as well as surveys among consumers in households. Private marketing research organizations are in fact doing this kind of work every day both for business and industry and for the Federal Government. Since these companies must be competitive in terms of cost, accuracy and reliability, they must function at the highest level of efficiency possible or they do not stay in business. American businessmen using these services, who in their own highly competitive fields, require maximum efficiency cause these research organizations to be creative. It is my opinion that certain of these private research facilities can undertake or participate in the many projects with which the Bureau of the Census in involved. It is my view that the present clients of Chilton Research Services do not suffer in any way from our inability to apply the penalties of the law for not responding to questionnaires seeking legitimate information. Where information is given freely and willingly it may be more reliable and may demonstrate greater finesse and technique to elicit information than where there is the possibility of threat or penalty for not replying. JOHN H. KOFRON, Vice President and Director, Chilton Co. Finally, there are those market research firms whose management feel that my recommended approach, through the adoption of H.R. 10952, is a desirable change in present law and census practice. Mr. JACKSON E. BETTS, House of Representatives, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., September 5, 1967. We would suggest that Census surveys might be conducted in such a way that only the basic Constitutionally required information be obtained by a complete census, while the additional information could be obtained from sub-samples of the population, perhaps at more frequent intervals, thereby diminishing the burden on individual citizens while at the same time providing society with vitally needed estimates of important population parameters. MERVIN D. FIELD, PEEKSKILL, N.Y., September 12, 1967. Hon. JACKSON E. BETTS, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: I believe that the Census Bureau should obtain its basic information by the interview methods that are currently in use, and on an involuntary basis. However, I believe that the information that an individual is required to give, on this mandatory basis, ought to be limited, as you have suggested in your bill and speech. Information going beyond this basic data can, I believe most expeditiously be garnered by reuse of sample surveys. The Bureau of the Census, The Department of Commerce, and other organizations within the government, are well acquainted with the use of sampling surveys and their limitations statistically and mathematically, and I believe, could gather most of the information which is sought in the census by the use of such methodology. WILLIAM CAPITMAN, President, the Center for Research in Marketing, Inc. Of all the letters I received, the following paragraph succinctly summarizes the wholesome and apparently abundantly successful approach taken to market research firms by men and women in this profession: "All Marketing Research studies are based on the premise that, 'It is the basic right of every individual to refuse to be interviewed, once he has agreed to the interview it is his basic right to refuse to answer any questions he feels are an invasion of his privacy.' In addition to this all work is of a highly confidential nature and respondents are assured their answers will never be seen or used by anyone other than the people directly connected with the research study. We find by adhering to these principles that a well trained personable interviewer capable of establishing and maintaining rapport, not only encounters few refusals but provides respondents with an interesting and enjoyable diversion from their days activities. "In my opinion there is never a need for a threat of fine or imprisonment for one's refusal to answer questions-properly conducted interviews can elicit these answers without concern or threat." Mr. Speaker, this analysis is only part of the reasoning and documentation I plan to advance in support of H.R. 10952. I would welcome assistance from any of my colleagues in attempting to protect the privacy and freedom from harassment of the American people. When a hearing is scheduled on 1970 census question plans, I hope many Members will afford themselves the opportunity to speak for their constituents, because all our citizens are involved in a decennial census. [From the Congressional Record, Oct. 4, 1967] House of Representatives THE CENSUS: PREPARING THE QUESTIONS FOR 1970 Mr. BETTS. Mr. Speaker according to the Bureau of the Census, 67 subject items are currently proposed for inclusion in the 1970 decennial Census of Population and Housing. This list was prepared July 31, 1967, and I have the impression any revisions by the Census Bureau will be to expand the number of inquiries rather than omit any questions. Sixty-seven subjects, however, are translated into many more particular questions when they actually appear on the official questionnaire. The sample form used in New Haven in April contained 120 items for citizens to check or fill in where applicable, and the North Philadelphia form, distributed only last week, raised 94 inquiries. I have been advised that the Subcommittee on Census and Statistics of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee this month will consider subjects proposed for the 1970 census, the justification for each question, as well as the format to be used in the questionnaires. If no formal committee recommendations are made or legislation reported, in all likelihood the Director of the Bureau of the Census will go forward with plans for such an extensive, compulsory public interrogation in 1970. I have introduced a bill, H.R. 10952, to limit the mandatory questions to seven: name and address: relationship to head of household: sex; date of birth; race or color: marital status; and visitors in home at time of census. A separate form, marked voluntary, could accompany the required census questionnaire for citizens to complete. Questions not essential to the basic enumeration of population as provided in the Constitution to determine congressional districting but deemed useful to Government agencies could be included on this second form. I do not propose to set aside 50 or more of the questions currently planned for the 1970 census without good reasons which I shall present in this statement. Mr. Speaker, it is not my wish to engage in a battle with the Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of the Budget, statistics users organizations, numerous businesses or Federal agencies which utilize data gathered through the decennial census. If cast in that role, may I state for the record that my overriding interest is that Congress should scrupulously examine the questions to be asked all Americans in 1970 and take a formal position on this list. Further, I feel that the Director of the Census should be required to give more convincing justifications, if there be such, for the excessive number of questions he proposes to present in 1970. Let me again set forth criteria I feel should guide the preparation of decennial censuses. Each proposed subject item or specific question should be evaluated in terms of these paramount considerations: First, is this question of prime importance to compiling facts on the basic characteristics about residents in the United States? Second, does this question invade the privacy, harass, or will it tend to result in noncompliance by the respondent? Third, could this question be deferred to a smaller sample, an annual sample survey or omitted so private research organizations can compile such data? The overall questionnaire should be evaluated as to the likelihood of maximum response, the cost benefit ratio of questions asked, priorities of principal Federal information needs, and the possible extension of Federal authority into citizen.rights of privacy. In applying these criteria to determine which questions are proper subjects for the decennial census, I have concluded that the number of questions should be cut drastically. I have tried to avoid oversimplifying an analysis of the proposed decennial census questions by placing each inquiry in one of four categories: Complete count; omit; drop to smaller sample; or defer to a later survey. The following table provides the subjects which have been proposed by the census, the percent of households to be canvassed for each question, a capsule summary of their justification, the year the subject was first collected, and my recommendations as to the disposition of the question in 1970. 1970 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING SUBJECT ITEMS PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN 1970 COMPARED WITH 1960 CONTENT-Continued 1970 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING SUBJECT ITEMS PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN 1970 COMPARED WITH 1960 CONTENT-Continued 1 Item will be expanded to include street address in most metropolitan areas if technical and financial questions are resolved satisfactorily. 2 To be colleced only in mail areas for coverage check purposes; will not be tabulated. 3 Tentatively on 100 percent pending agreement with Office of Civil Defense; otherwise on 25 percent. 4 Required on 100 percent for field followup purposes in mail areas. 100 percent in places of 50,000 or more, 25 percent elsewhere. 6 Omitted in places of 50,000 or more. 7 For renter-occupied and vacant-for-rent units outside places of 50,000 or more. $ 20 percent in places of 50,000 or more, 5 percent elsewhere. • Collected only in places of 50,000 or more. Sources: Subjects provided by U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, July 31, 1967; justification, Bureau of the Census, population, July 25, 1967; housing, July 18, 1967. (Table compiled by Congressman Jackson E. Betts.) Let me comment on each category in which I would place some of the proposed census questions. COMPLETE COUNT The complete, mandatory population count should include seven subjects: Name and address, relationship to head of household, sex, date of birth, race or color, marital status, and visitors in home at the time of census. The bill I have introduced would assure these as compulsory subjects for decennial or middecade censuses. All other questions would be voluntary and listed on a separate form. |